Interesting Information About Maine From ALEC

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) 

www.alec.org

"The mission of the American Legislative Exchange Council is...

...to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism, and individual liberty, through a nonpartisan public-private partnership of America's state legislators, members of the private sector, the federal government, and general public.

...to promote these principles by developing policies that ensure the powers of government are derived from, and assigned to, first the People, then the States, and finally, the Federal Government.

...to enlist state legislators from all parties and members of the private sector who share ALEC's mission.

...to conduct a policy making program that unites members of the public and private sectors in a dynamic partnership to support research, policy development, and dissemination activities.

...to prepare the next generation of political leadership through educational programs that promote the principles of Jeffersonian democracy, which are necessary for a free society". "(information from their website)

Economics

To See How Maine Ranks click here. 

Here is one of their latest press releases.

State Legislators Call on States to Defund ACORN

October 13, 2009

Washington, D.C.—Congress has already voted to defund the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, otherwise knows as ACORN, and the IRS and Census Bureau have severed their relationships with the organization as well. However, ACORN, which according to their Web site maintains “more than 1,200 neighborhood chapters in about 75 cities,” continues to receive taxpayer money through the states.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation’s largest non-partisan, individual membership association of state legislators, has identified several states which provide funding for ACORN and its affiliates, including New York ($415,000), Pennsylvania ($205,000), Georgia ($104,000), and Illinois ($100,000). In response, ALEC’s members have passed a resolution calling on all states to conduct audits to identify and immediately end all funding to ACORN and its affiliates.

In Pennsylvania, State Rep. Stephen Barrar has already introduced legislation to bar ACORN and other political organizations from receiving state funds. “ACORN has proven time and time again that it is not worthy of our trust or our financial support,” said Barrar. “This organization continues to display unethical and unlawful behavior, and it is time for the Pennsylvania Legislature to take action. The taxpayers of our Commonwealth work too hard to give their money to an agency that disrespects our laws. My efforts are about the responsible use of taxpayer money.”

Policymakers in Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Rhode Island have also taken action to prevent any funding for ACORN. ALEC’s Public Safety and Elections Task Force Chairman, State Rep. Paul Ray (UT), commented, “Over the past few years ACORN has continually violated the trust of the American people and the law. This includes allegations of voter registration fraud, videos of ACORN employees willfully assisting in tax evasion, child prostitution, and even obtaining federal fire protection grants in Louisiana in which they did not meet the requirements and were not qualified to receive.”

Other ALEC members had similar comments including State Rep. Gary Banz (OK), who said that, “The recent revelations of ACORN activity calls into question their mission and the appropriateness of any taxpayer funds being given to them.” And in Indiana, State Rep. Bill Ruppel said, “During a recession, it is imperative that we take the time to look closely at how state funds are allocated and how taxpayer dollars are spent. This Resolution calls on the states to do that and defund ACORN, an organization which has misused and misspent our taxpayer dollars.” ALEC will continue to work with its members during the next legislative session to identify and remove state funding for ACORN and its affiliates.

# # #

---