WaPo says "3,000 bills targeting pension reform are in hoppers nationwide," many of them ALEC bills

[highplainsdem]

I'm stunned by that number and wish WaPo had a state-by-state breakdown. Apparently these are multiple bills introduced in each house of bicameral legislatures, since it isn't unusual for there to be slightly different versions of legislation with the same subject.

But even if the Washington Post meant 300 bills, that would still be a huge number...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/states-new-gop-majorities-governors-have-made-mark-on-a-wide-range-of-issues/2011/04/11/AFNk3DJE_story.html

States’ new GOP majorities, governors have made mark on a wide range of issues
By Lois Romano, Thursday, April 21, 1:06 PM


-snip-

Although only a fraction of these GOP-sponsored bills will pass by the time legislatures wrap it up this spring, the measures will have a shelf life at least into next year, before the 2012 elections.

-snip-

Legislators have proposed 374 antiabortion bills this year, up from 174 last year. Lawmakers have introduced more than 750 bills on collective bargaining this year, with more than 500 aimed at public sector unions, a significant increase over past years, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

At least 32 states are considering new or tougher requirements for voter identification at the polls. And 3,000 bills targeting pension reform for public-sector employees are in hoppers nationwide, many of them modeled after legislation proposed by the American Legislative Change Council (ALEC), a high-profile conservative think tank that helps legislatures shape fiscal policy.

-snip-

Voter ID restrictions also have been a contentious and partisan issue sweeping legislatures. “I have seen more bills on voter identification introduced this year than I have in any previous year since 2001 when I began tracking it,” said Jennie Bowser, senior fellow at National Council of State Legislatures.

-snip-

Emphasis added.

Of course a lot of the Voter ID bills come from ALEC, too.

So do many of the bills on collective bargaining.

I'm not so sure about the abortion bills, since I haven't read much about the individual bills, but ALEC does have model legislation on that, too.


More on all the types of legislation ALEC has been pushing in different states can be found in the long compilation topic about the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

My thanks to Hector Solon for posting a reply about this Washington Post article in that topic (reply 243).

[highplainsdem]

1. I wonder how many of the pension-reform bills are ALEC's new bill reducing accrued pension benefits?

Which would allow those right-wing legislators and governors to raid state pension funds.

Link to a topic posted a couple of weeks ago about that relatively new ALEC model legislation:

ALEC's plans for state and local workers -- reduce ACCRUED pension benefits to private-sector levels

I posted a topic earlier today about the Heartland Institute website having a new article or column pushing that ALEC legislation -- even though the VP of the Heartland Institute had a column in the Weekly Standard last month admitting the state pension funds really weren't the problem with state budgets:

Doublethink Tank: Heartland Inst. pushes ALEC bill readjusting pensions, which "aren't the problem"

[madrchsod]

4. they want the pension funds just like they did in the 80`s...

the american workers were cashed out then given esops and 401Ks. this time the public union workers are fucked even though it`s their money they have been paying into the fund.

[Thunderstruck]

7. They're probably already gone. The Fed is printing money like there

is no tomorrow and the entire system has been robbed and being held up only by funny money.

This collapse is going to be unlike anything any civilization has ever seen.

[Kolesar]

11. That's not true

"printing money"

[Thunderstruck]

12. Whatever eases your fears there buddy. I guess QE1 and QE2 didn't happen.

:shrug:

[Kolesar]

14. That is not "printing money" eom

[WillyT]

2. HUGE K & R !!!

:mad:

:kick:

[highplainsdem]

9. Thanks!

[Thunderstruck]

3. Jesus Christ.

WE MUST STOP THESE PEOPLE!

[highplainsdem]

10. I agree.

[Snoutport]

5. this story made my stomach do a flip flop

miserable miserable news.

[highplainsdem]

8. I know. I don't think people had any idea how much harm the GOP and ALEC were poised to do, once

they controlled enough state legislatures and governorships.

And they're pushing this legislation through as fast as they can, counting on the national media not paying very much attention, and local media either not being interested or not being able to cover this legislative blitz very well.

[WinkyDink]

6. Nothing excites a Republican more than breaking the Social Contract as it breaks legal ones.

[sarcasmo]

13. Stealing the pensions just like stealing the social security.

Sick on so many levels.