Break the silence on ALEC

May 31, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot reported yesterday, "A press release issued today identifies and praises 35 Virginia state lawmakers for NOT belonging to a national lobby group. The legislators responded to a query from ProgressVA, a liberal group, that they do not belong to the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, a conservative organization that has come under attack lately on the left... It churns out model legislation that's introduced in state capitals around the country by its legislative members, including some from Virginia."

Progressive Point: Putting Virginia's families first isn't a partisan priority--it's one that we all share. Since sharing our list of where our legislators stand yesterday, nine new Virginia lawmakers, from both sides of the aisle, have made the choice to stand with their constituents and not the corporate front group ALEC.

Virginia voters deserve a state legislature that works for them and legislators who are honest about their affiliations--however, many of our representatives are still hiding behind a wall of silence. The legislature must work for all of Virginia's families, not just donors with the deepest pockets. While many of our representatives are choosing to keep quiet because they want to hide their ALEC affiliations from Virginia voters, the rest need a reminder that corruption flourishes when good people remain silent.

Get the Facts:

• Recently, 16 corporations, 4 nonprofits, and over 50 legislators have eneded their support for ALEC folling increased scrutiny of the group. (The Washington Post, May 30, 2012)


• "At least 115 current or former legislators have had ties to ALEC, either by sponsoring bills, attending conferences or paying membership dues, according to a study by ProgressVA from last year. The state has spent $232,000 during the past decade to send legislators, primarily members of the Republican-controlled House of Delegates, to ALEC conferences and meetings." (The Washington Post, May 30, 2012)


• ALEC has helped author more than 60 bills in Virginia, including legislation pushed by House Speaker Bill Howell--a former national chairman of ALEC. (The Washington Post, May 30, 2012)

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