Rep. Chris Taylor: ALEC conference represents 'other world'

[Scuba]

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/writers/jessica_vanegeren/rep-chris-taylor-checks-out-another-alec-conference/article_99a0a980-d496-11e3-bf1f-001a4bcf887a.html



ALEC logo courtesy of bluecheddar.

Rep. Chris Taylor spent the weekend in Kansas City, Mo., for her second go-around in less than a year as an undercover agent, of sorts, attending an American Legislative Exchange Council event. Better known as ALEC, the powerful conservative group’s members include lawmakers and corporations that together write model bills that are then disseminated to conservative state legislators around the country to pass into law. Taylor, a Madison Democrat, witnessed the process up close when she attended ALEC's annual conference last August. On Thursday and Friday, she attended the Spring Task Force Summit, which she described as a “smaller, quieter ALEC.”

...

“A lot of its ‘facts’ don’t really mesh with how things actually are,” Taylor said. “Most economists would not be using those same factors.” Taylor said she attended a workshop where renewable energy was discussed by panelists. She said she was struck by the internal inconsistency. “ALEC is for the free market and no government interference, except when it comes to things like solar energy or electric cars,” Taylor said. “They won't outright say they want to stop it, they’ll just say it will be more expensive for rate payers and it is not as cost-effective."

She said the only reception of the event was sponsored by Koch Industries, an energy company whose owners contribute heavily to ALEC. “ALEC is all about protecting its members,” Taylor said.

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She said the anti-local government rhetoric she heard at a summit workshop echoed what has been happening in Wisconsin. Republicans have long cited local control as a core party principal. But since taking over the state in the November 2010 elections, they have been moving to restrict local control. “They’ve declared war on local control. What I heard was much more blatant than what I’ve heard in the past,” Taylor said. “They believe local governments and local school boards take away liberties just like the federal government.”

[DirkGently]

1. They're in favor of control at whatever level THEY control.

ALEC / Republicans / corporate interests are currently strongest at the state level, so suddenly that's where the power belongs. They're pushing hard on state pre-emption of local government everywhere progressives are trying to get things moving.

Love that graphic.