Exposing ALEC: How Corporate Special Interests Control State Legislatures

April 6, 2013, National Conference for Media Reform: The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a corporate-backed organization that creates controversial bills that it pushes through state legislatures. Some of these include broad anti-immigration measures like Arizona’s SB 1070, Stand Your Ground laws designed to shield users of firearms and laws that prohibit communities from building their own broadband networks. Two years ago, an ALEC whistleblower leaked copies of more than 800 model bills on these issues and many others that helped clarify its strategy and create a roadmap for change. To stop  the proliferation of these dangerous laws, we have to understand how ALEC works. This panel discussion will uncover ALEC’s tricks and illuminate the strategies we can use to encourage corporations and state legislators to cut ties with this group.