The conservative organization ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) has seen a rapid exodus of many of its business members. Recently the following companies have severed ties with ALEC: Mars, Inc., the Arizona Public Service Company, Kraft, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Coco-Cola, Pepsi Co, Intuit and the Gates Foundation. It will be interesting to see if any of the Montana state legislators who are also members of ALEC follow suit and leave the organization. According to SOURCEWATCH, Montana has 23 members of the House of Representatives as members and four state senators are also members. Mark Blasdel from Somers and Scott Reichner from Bigfork are listed as members of ALEC.
ALEC has been responsible for pushing laws in state legislatures such as the “Stand Your Ground” law, which is currently causing controversy in Florida, and the “show me your papers” immigration law in Arizona. ALEC has also pushed to require strict voter identification laws in many states, which makes it more difficult for many U.S. citizens to vote. Many of ALEC’s legislative endeavors are not favorable for citizens of a sound and fair democratic society.
Let’s hope many of our Montana legislators see the light and discontinue their membership in ALEC.
Judy Elwood
Kalispell