Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Legislative Positions (June 2015)
Posted on May 30, 2015
Check out these two videos from John Oliver and Media Matters about how the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) influences legislation!
According to their website, ALEC is a nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization comprised of the country’s state legislators, business and thought leaders, think tank scholars, and individuals that “provides a unique forum for diverse groups to exchange ideas and develop real, state-based solutions that encourage growth, preserve economic security and protect hardworking taxpayers.” ALEC isn’t shy. They boast, “For more than 35 years, ALEC has been the ideal means of creating and delivering public policy ideas aimed at protecting and expanding our free society.”
These two videos will tell a different story of ALEC. First, it’s important to understand that this organization has deep and pervasive roots in our legislative system. As John Oliver reported, “ALEC is everywhere. Roughly 1 in 4 state legislators are members.” Further, when these state legislators and lobbyists meet, they do more than “exchange ideas.” Business-friendly elected state lawmakers are brought together with corporate lobbyists to pick what bills to vote for, push a conservative corporate agenda at the state level, and essentially draft our state legislation.
Sniff sniff, follow the money. Who is really writing some of our laws? Check out the ALEC leadership and let me know if you see any of your lawmakers on the below list.
These videos remind us, once again, what we are up against when advocating for legislation that protects the American public from toxic chemicals such as asbestos. Help ADAO make your voices heard in Congress! The power of stories is critical when influencing policy, and ADAO uses your stories from the Share Your Story collection in Senate Briefings, op-eds, and statement letters. If you haven’t already shared how asbestos has impacted your life, Share Your Story now!
In unity,
Linda
ALEC National ChairsRep. Phil King, National Chair Sen. Leah Vukmir, First Vice Chair Sen. Jim Buck, Second Vice Chair TreasurerSen. Wayne Neiderhauser SecretaryRep. Gary Banz Immediate Past ChairRep. Linda Upmeyer Chair EmeritusRep. Harold Brubaker Rep. Tom Craddick Rep. Noble Ellington Sen. Steve Faris Rep. Bobby Hogue Rep. Dolores Mertz
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Board MembersSen. Joel Anderson Sen. Bill Cadman Rep. Alan Clemmons Sen. Andre Cushing Rep. David Frizzell Rep. Philip Gunn Rep. Joe Harrison Sen. Judson Hill Speaker Bill Howell Rep. Norine Kasperik Speaker Ray Merrick Rep. Dawn Pettengill Rep. John Piscopo Rep. Jason Saine Sen. Bill Seitz Rep. Blair Thoreson Rep. Curry Todd Sen. Susan Wagle
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