Report connects ALEC and Minnesota legislators

Network partner Common Cause Minnesota has released a new report that connects the dots between state legislators in Minnesota, the bills they introduce, and the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC.

Bills introduced in the Minnesota legislature include bills that would restrict agricultural whistleblowers, protect corporate tax breaks in the state constitution, and lower tax rates on tobacco products. In essence, according to the report, state legislators are not writing the bills they introduce and laws they pass. Rather, through ALEC, the legislators receive model bills, and introduce slightly changed versions in their state.

“Corporations are bringing legislators to some of America’s most exclusive hotels and resorts to share their wish list of special interest legislation,” said Mike Dean, Executive Director of Common Cause Minnesota. “Our legislators were elected to represent Minnesota families, not corporate bottom lines.”

The American Independent also took a look through the report, highlighting the legislators who have been a part of ALEC, as well as their committee assignments.

Read the full report here at ALECmatch.org.