You might have recently heard about a group called ALEC in the news. Groups in Nebraska have been working on trying to get more transparency around this group. Today, we sent an email to State Senators asking them to end their ALEC memberships.
Over the coming weeks we will post blogs and more information about ALEC and the actions any state senators take to end their ties.
Already, State Senators Heath Mello, Danielle Conrad, Jeremy Nordquist cancelled their memberships. Senator Ken Haar did not renew his membership. State Senator Tony Fulton stated he will not renew his membership.
Each of these State Senators has their own financial or ideological reasons for ending their ties with ALEC. For some it was about wanting more of a local and Nebraska focus on bills and for some the true colors of ALEC were shown with recent actions.
Just copy and past these addresses into your email program thanking them for their leadership: hmello@leg.ne.gov, dconrad@leg.ne.gov, khaar@leg.ne.gov, tfulton@leg.ne.gov, jnordquist@leg.ne.gov
Email Sent to State Senators on April 27th
Dear State Senators,
Common Cause Nebraska, Bold Nebraska and Nebraskans for Civic Reform are launching a public campaign calling on Nebraska legislators to join the growing list of businesses—like Kraft and Blue Cross Blue Shield—along with state legislators across the country who are ending their relationship with ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council.
ALEC’s influence over our Unicameral was seen first-hand with the unnecessary and costly “voter id” bill. Across the country ALEC is responsible for the irresponsible “kill at will” laws.
ALEC is a secretive organization run by corporate interests while pretending to be a “non-partisan” resource for legislators. ALEC’s secret operation has been exposed and is being increasing criticized by citizens and scrutinized by local and national press.
In the last month, companies including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, Wendys, Intuit, Kraft Foods and Blue Cross Blue Shield have all ended their financial support of ALEC.
State legislators across the country are also publicly ending their ties with ALEC, including some of your fellow state senators.
Nebraska State Senators Heath Mello, Danielle Conrad, Jeremy Nordquist all recently cancelled their memberships. Senator Ken Haar did not renew his membership. State Senator Tony Fulton stated he will not renew his membership.
Each of these state senators has their own financial or ideological reasons for ending their ties with ALEC. Whatever the reason, we are asking you to join them today.
Our groups believe the secret nature of ALEC and the extreme bills they push state senators to copy and pretend are their own must be stopped.
In addition to asking you to end your ALEC membership, we are also hoping a state senator will step forward and introduce legislation that will require ALL bills to have a disclose statement that lists any nonprofits, trade associations, businesses or lobbyists who helped write the bill so Nebraska citizens can have this critical information as they read the bill online.
Please respond to this email if you plan on ending your membership or if you plan on not renewing your membership.
Thank you for your service to Nebraska and to all of our families,
Jack Gould, Common Cause Nebraska
Jane Kleeb, Bold Nebraska
Adam Morfeld, Nebraskans for Civic Reform
