Wisconsin-Koch Connection Back in the News, AFP Rally at State Capitol Tomorrow

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As major corporate funders cut ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the call is raised for ALEC state legislators to drop ALEC as well, not only is Koch Industries maintaining its support, but the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity (AFP) has stepped in to defend ALEC in its time of need.

An email from the Ohio State Director of AFP to supporters exclaims, "ALEC has been highly effective promoting free-market policies and for this, they are being demonized and state legislators who work with them are being harassed. ... At AFP-Ohio we're proud to work with ALEC and stand with them to advance economic freedom and prosperity." In 2009, AFP was the third largest recipient of funds from the Koch Family Foundations, behind the Cato Institute and the George Mason University Foundation (home of the Institute for Humane Studies and the Mercatus Center). The amount AFP receives from David Koch individually or Koch Industries is unknown.

Walker Chats up Koch-Funded Think Tanks

After kicking off a statewide tour, his first since a recall election was officially scheduled, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker hopped on a plane to Oklahoma to headline an event for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA). This is a new pattern and practice for the governor. He gives a policy address to a "think tank" that is a member of the Koch-funded State Policy Network, a group closely affiliated with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and often combines the trip with a high-dollar fundraiser. OCPA is the latest in a list that includes the Goldwater Institute in Arizona, the James Madison Institute in Florida, and the Texas Policy Research Institute. In this case, the appearance was at OCPA's annual fundraising dinner, where tables were rumored to cost as much as $25,000.

As is usual, Walker was greeted with hundreds of protestors outside the event holding signs that included "end the war on workers." The protest was spearheaded in solidarity by the private-sector Teamsters union. Walker is back in the state in time for the annual Tea Party Tax Day Rally, though it is not known if he will attend.

AFP Rally Tomorrow at the Capitol

The Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity (AFP) annual "Tax Day Protest" returns to the Wisconsin Capitol this Saturday, April 14, at 11:30am. The event will be at the King Street entrance to the Capitol building in Madison. The Koch brothers' "union maid," Sarah Palin, has been invited again.

Last year's protest was made memorable by counter-protesters with cow bells and Vuvuzelas and the late Andrew Breitbart screaming at the crowd, "You have no right to lecture us on language with your Koch-suckers business. Go to hell!"

ALEC Exposed Brings Koch Bros Exposed to Madison!

Adding to recent Koch Brothers exposure is the upcoming Madison premier of Robert Greenwald's latest film, "Koch Brothers Exposed," at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison on Thursday, April 26, and Friday, April 27. The movie is a benefit for the Center for Media and Democracy and tickets can be purchased online at the Barrymore Theatre. Movies are also available for purchase online. (CMD will receive $5 for every movie purchased through this specific link. For those who live in Madison, CMD is inviting neighbors to come walk the red carpet for the premier at the Barrymore.)