Some say ALEC influences legislation too much in Texas and U.S.

[antigop]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/03/3568769/some-say-the-american-legislative.html

It may be the most powerful force in Texas politics you've never heard of.

The American Legislative Exchange Council has helped enact hundreds of pieces of legislation in states nationwide. The conservative, pro-business nonprofit counts over 1,000 state lawmakers and some of the world's largest companies as members.

And one of ALEC's best success stories is Texas. Not only have dozens of bills drafted at the organization's events shaped bills passed in Austin, but taxpayers have also helped underwrite the group's efforts to influence the Legislature.

More than half the members of the Texas Legislature have ties to ALEC, and most used public money to pay dues or other costs stemming from their memberships. In the House alone, members have tapped more than $125,000 from taxpayer-funded accounts since 2010 to pay ALEC dues and attend ALEC events, according to a Star-Telegram analysis of state records.

The conferences are touted as productive meetings of state legislators and business executives. But critics call the events little more than lobbying junkets where corporate representatives help write bills for lawmakers to take home and try to get passed.

[yourout]

1. Semi-Shadow government I would say.

[midnight]

2. K&R

[Bragi]

3. Morte Koch money /nt

[KT2000]

4. these idiots pay?

to be told what to do? The Koch brother can never underestimate the IQ of this bunch and they know how to make a profit off of them to boot.

[999998th word]

5. Just change a word or two.

Half of the time they don't even read the shit. Rubberstamp it and good to go.

Post citizens united sucks. Get the_ money out of politics.

Edited to remove the word 'fucking'

[GTurck]

6. I live in....

Texas but don't consider myself a Texan as most usually do. My roots are Texas, Ohio, and mostly Chicago so this report is no real surprise. It would shake up those who do think that Texas is heaven on earth though since they haven't really tried to see themselves as others do. The easiest way for them to stay ignorant and not have to respond will be to deny it all. Texas Democrats, Tejanos and African-Americans (who constitute the majority but have no political power) know it is true.
What is happening in Texas is soon to come to a state near you. It is domination by W.A.S.P.s with lots of money and ties to corporations and reactive NGO's like ALEC.