Robert Wilkerson: Watch out for ALEC!

  ALEC is not a person. It is an acronym for the American Legislative Exchange Council. This organization has connections in all fifty states. It has roughly 2,000 legislative members, and 300 corporate members, and has been called by Bill Moyers the “most influential corporate-funded political force most of America has never heard of.”

  ALEC operates behind closed doors, and is almost exclusively funded by corporations, corporate trade associations, corporate foundations, and sources other than membership dues.

  Corporate lawyers write most of ALEC’s model bills, and all of them are pre-approved by corporate lobbyists in ALEC Task Force meetings before becoming ALEC model policy. ALEC model bills are distributed to ALEC lawmakers, who introduce the legislation in statehouses across the country without disclosing their source.

  ALEC is a registered 501c3 charity, and thus ALEC’s corporate donors receive tax deductions for their contributions to the organization.

  To date, 49 corporations, 6 non-profits, and 74 state legislators have publicly cut ties with ALEC.

  Several members of our state legislature are ALEC members. It is our hope they will join with others and fully focus on the needs and desires of the people of Alabama.

  About the author: Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. Drbobwilkerson[at]bellsouth.net, http://www.people-for-the-christian-way.org.