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Wisconsin Lawmakers Exploit Loophole to Hide ALEC Ties
by Brendan Fischer — September 5, 2012 - 8:00am
Topics: Corporations, Democracy, Politics
Projects: ALEC Exposed
Wisconsin state legislators are routinely deleting emails concerning their involvement with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), exploiting a loophole that exempts the Legislature from records retention rules that apply to all other state and local government officials.
For more than a year, we at the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a nonpartisan watchdog and reporting group, have been tracking ALEC, which lets private corporations and think tanks vote with state legislators to approve "model" legislation for introduction in statehouses across the country.
ALEC's influence on Wisconsin politics is profound. At least 49 current Wisconsin legislators are known ALEC members, and at least 32 bills or budget provisions introduced in Wisconsin's 2011-2012 session include language from ALEC.
But some legislators would prefer that Wisconsinites not see documents revealing the extent to which they are working hand-in-hand with ALEC.
Topics: Corporations, Democracy, Politics
Projects: ALEC Exposed
Wisconsin state legislators are routinely deleting emails concerning their involvement with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), exploiting a loophole that exempts the Legislature from records retention rules that apply to all other state and local government officials.
For more than a year, we at the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a nonpartisan watchdog and reporting group, have been tracking ALEC, which lets private corporations and think tanks vote with state legislators to approve "model" legislation for introduction in statehouses across the country.
ALEC's influence on Wisconsin politics is profound. At least 49 current Wisconsin legislators are known ALEC members, and at least 32 bills or budget provisions introduced in Wisconsin's 2011-2012 session include language from ALEC.
But some legislators would prefer that Wisconsinites not see documents revealing the extent to which they are working hand-in-hand with ALEC.
MORE...
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/09/11738/wisconsin-lawmakers-exploit-loophole-hide-alec-ties