beware of ALEC and its influence

[luckyleftyme2]

you like to think that your electorate is not taking advantage of you. the case of the turnpike officials enjoying trips on your dollar sure made the news but they weren't or aren't the only ones doing it.
Beware of these other organizations influencing your representatives to write laws which mainly shift taxes and ease the path of business profit at your expense.example the cost of
government programs are paid for by your taxes so if big business gets a tax break you pick up the slack!
beware of ALEC and its influence in MAINE POLITICS!
Rep. Andre Cushing (R-Hampden)Andre Cushing is a realtor and former real estate developer. He was elected to the Maine Legislature in 2008, serves as Assistant Majority Leader and holds a position on the Joint Select Committee on Joint Rules and Elections. He recently announced his campaign for State Senate in District 33, a seat currently held by fellow ALEC member Derba Plowman, who must leave the seat due to term limits.Cushingis a dues-paying member of ALEC who attended the organization's annual meeting in New Orleans in August 2011. The trip raised eyebrows when it came to light that he sought and received taxpayer reimbursement for airfare, meals, and the$575 conference registration fee – a total of $2,102.08.9In January 2012, Maine’s Majority found thatCushing may have received a second reimbursement for the same expenses through his Respect Maine Political Action Committee.10 In 2012 Cushing signed a controversial tax pledge created by conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist topressure elected officials into opposing any raise of the marginal tax rate for individuals or businesses!!!!

[luckyleftyme2]

1. here is a few involved

Because of ALEC's secretive nature, it is difficult to know which legislators are members of theorganization. According to the Center for Media and Democracy'swww.AlecExposed.orgweb site, thefollowing Maine legislators and important political players have direct ties to ALEC:ALEC state chairs:Sen. Richard Rosen (R-Bucksport)Ann Robinson, lobbyist at Preti-Flaherty, co-chair of LePage transition teamKnown current members:Rep. Andre Cushing (R-Hampden)Rep. James M. Hamper (R-Oxford)Rep. R. Ryan Harmon (R-Palermo)Sen. Brian D. Langley (R-Ellsworth)Sen. Debra Plowman (R-Hampden)Sen. Christopher W. Rector (R-Thomaston)Sen. Mike Thibodeau (R-Winterport)Rep. Carol Weston (R-Montville), former ALEC state chairIn addition, the following current members of the Maine Legislature have served as lead sponsors ofALEC-linked bills:Rep. Richard Cebra (R-Naples)Rep. Dale Crafts (R-Lisbon)Rep. Joyce Fitzpatrick (R-Houlton)Rep. Stacey Guerin (R-Glenburn)Rep. Aaron Libby (R-North Waterboro)Sen. Garret Mason (R-Lisbon Falls)Rep. Gary Plummer (R-Windham)Rep. Wesley Richardson (R-Warren)Sen. Roger Sherman (R-Houlton)Rep. Heather Sirocki (R-Scarborough)Rep. Jeff Timberlake (R-Turner)Rep. Amy Volk (R-Scarborough)Rep. Tom Winsor (R-Norway)Maine’s Majority Education Fund!Who is writing Maine’s laws?!2