Michigan ALEC Politicians

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About ALEC
ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our ExposedbyCMD.org site.

For a list of politicians with known ALEC ties, please see ALEC Politicians.

This is a partial list of Michigan politicians that are known to be involved in, or previously involved in, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). It is a partial list. (If you have additional names, please add them with a citation. The names in this original list were verified as of posting.)

Legislators who have cut ties with ALEC publicly are also listed here.

Michigan Legislators with ALEC Ties

House of Representatives

Senate

Former Representatives

  • Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr. (D-42), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2008[16]
  • Rep. Julie Alexander (R-64)[17]
  • Rep. Fran Amos (R-43), registered for ALEC annual meeting in 2005 and paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2006 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. Richard A. Bandstra (R-Grand Rapids, 1985-1994, Michigan 3rd Court of Appeals through January 2003), Former "Public Sector Chairman," Civil Justice Task Force[18]
  • Rep. Ryan Berman (R-39), Purchased membership on July 26, 2019.[6]
  • Rep. Bill Caul (R-99), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. Triston Cole (R-105); attended "Intro to ALEC" breakfast in March 2015.[15]
  • Rep. Kathy Crawford (R-38) paid ALEC $375 from 2015-2017 for membership and events.[19][20][21]
  • Rep. Craig DeRoche (R-38), former House Speaker, paid ALEC membership dues in 2006 and sent three staffers to ALEC annual meeting in 2006 (for $1,200) with taxpayer funds[16]
  • Rep. Leon Drolet (R-33), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[16]
  • Rep. David Farhat (R-91), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[16]
  • Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-1), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. Judson Gilbert (R-81), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 while a state senator[22]
  • Rep. Gary Glenn (R-98) paid 2-year ALEC membership fee on December 1, 2016[23]
  • Rep. Gail Haines (R-43); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force[24]
  • Rep. Gary Howell (R-82) paid 2-year ALEC membership fees on December 18, 2017,[25] and on April 22, 2016;[26] Spouse attended August 2019 Meeting[17]
  • Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-90, now Michigan Congressman R-2), ALEC Alumni in Congress,[27] paid ALEC membership with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007 while a state representative[16]
  • Rep. Brandt Iden (R-61), Attended 2019 ALEC Annual Meeting[7] registered member
  • Rep. Steven Johnson (R-72)[17]
  • Rep. Tim Kelly (R-94); attended "Intro to ALEC" breakfast in March 2015.[15]
  • Rep. Jerry Kooiman (R-75), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[16]
  • Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-44), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[16]
  • Rep. Kenneth Kurtz (R-58), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force[28]
  • Rep. Eric Leutheuser (R-58), Attended 2019 ALEC Annual Meeting[7]
  • Rep. Jim Lilly (R-89), ALEC State Chair, attended 2019 ALEC Annual Meeting[7], registered member[29]
  • Rep. Matthew Lori, (R-59), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force[28]
  • Rep. Peter J. Lund (R-36); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force and Public Safety and Elections Task Force[30]
  • Rep. Steve Marino (R-24)[29]
  • Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45), sponsored 2011 HB 4050. Compare to ALEC's "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act"[31]
  • Rep. Kimberley Meltzer (R-33), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009[16]
  • Rep. Tim Moore (R-97), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2007[16]
  • Rep. Tom Pearce (R-73), registered for 2006 ALEC annual meeting and paid 2009 ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds[16]
  • Rep. Peter Pettalia (R-106); attended "Intro to ALEC" breakfast in March 2015.[15]
  • Rep. Amanda Price (R-89); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force[13]
  • Rep. John Reilly (R-46)[29]
  • Rep. Brett Roberts (R-65), registered member
  • Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-43), Attended 2019 ALEC Annual Meeting[7]
  • Rep. Rick Shaffer (R-59), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. Fulton Sheen (R-88), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2006 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-56), registered member
  • Rep. John Stahl (R-82), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008[16]
  • Rep. John Stakoe (R-44), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. Glenn Steil, Jr. (R-72), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[16]
  • Rep. William Van Regenmorter (R-74), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[16]
  • Rep. Scott VanSingel (R-100), Attended 2019 ALEC Annual Meeting[7], registered member
  • Rep. Henry "Hank" Vaupel (R-47) paid 2-year ALEC membership fee on October 4, 2016[32]
  • Rep. Michael Webber (R-45),attended ALEC's 2020 States and Nation Policy Summit where he participated in “Civil Justice Committee and Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Subcommittee Joint Meeting", "State Chair Meeting", "Opening General Session", "Suburban Caucus Meeting", "General Session - Morning", "Workshop: State Budget Reform Toolkit: Policy Best Practices to Help Legislators Navigate the Fiscal Uncertainty of COVID-19", "Workshop: Against Critical Theory’s Onslaught: Reclaiming Education and the American Dream", "Thursday General Session - Afternoon", "Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Meeting", "Jefferson Awards Ceremony", "Friday General Session - Morning", "Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Meeting", "Friday General Session - Afternoon", and “Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Meeting”[1]Attended 2019[7] and 2020[9] ALEC Annual Meetings; State Chair[29]

Former Senators

  • Former Sen. Jason Allen (R-37), former State Chairman[33], paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2006[22]
  • Sen. John Bizon (R-19), attended ALEC's 2020 States and Nation Policy Summit where he participated in ”Jefferson Awards Ceremony”[1]
  • Sen. Darwin Booher (R-35), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 while a state representative[16]
  • Former Sen. Cameran Brown (R-16), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[22]
  • Sen. Bruce Caswell (R-16), Health and Human Services Task Force[28]
  • Sen. Mike Green (R-31), State Chairman, paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[22]
  • Sen. Goeff Hansen (R-34), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 (twice) while a state representative,[16] Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force member[34]
  • Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R-29), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 while a state representative,[16] and in 2011 while a state senator[22]
  • Sen. Kenneth Horn (R-32), attended ALEC's 2020 States and Nation Policy Summit where he participated in ”Jefferson Awards Ceremony”[1], paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[16], Civil Justice Task Force member[35]
  • Sen. Joe Hune (R-22)[29]
  • Sen. Mark Jansen (R-28)[36]
  • Sen. Rick Jones (R-24), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 while a state representative[16], told Detroit News in August 2012 that he was no longer a member because "I thought (attending ALEC conferences) would be looked at by my constituents as a junket."[37] See Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
  • Sen. Mike Kowall (R-15), member as of 2017.[38][36] Paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009 while a state representative, and in 2011[16][29]
  • Former Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-30), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[22]
  • Sen. John Moolenaar (R-36), Member of ALEC's Public Safety and Elections Task Force[30]. Paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007 while a state representative[16]
  • Former Sen. Valde Garcia (R-22), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[22]
  • Former Sen. Philip Hoffman [39]
  • Sen. Arlan B. Meekhof (R-30), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009 while a state representative[16]
  • Sen. Mike Nofs (R-19), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008 while a state representative[16]
  • Sen. Dennis Olshove (D-9) [40]
  • Former Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-7), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009[22]
  • Sen. Phil Pavlov (R-25)[41]
  • Sen. David B. Robertson (R-26), paid 2-year ALEC membership fee on July 13, 2013;[42] paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[16]
  • Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-20), former State Chairman[43]; Civil Justice Task Force [44]
  • Sen. Mike Shirkey (R-16), attended ALEC's 2020 States and Nation Policy Summit where he participated in ”Jefferson Awards Ceremony”[1], paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011 while a State Representative[16]

Former Politicians

  • Former Governor John M. Engler [39]
  • Former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus [39]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 David Armiak, "ALEC Working in Partnership with Turning Point USA, Major Player in Capitol Insurrection", Exposed by CMD, January 13, 2021, accessed January 26, 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 David Armiak and Arn Pearson, ALEC Has Half the Legislative Members it Claims, Exposed by CMD, December 1, 2022.
  3. ↑ ALEC, [On file with CMD Events and Education Email], ALEC, February 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Nick Surgey Dec 2019 "Documented", accessed July 1, 2020
  5. ↑ Robert Creenan, State leg. Phil Green appointed to chair of agricultural subcommittee, MySA, July 8, 2020.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Secretary of State, MICHIGAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE EXPENDITURE SEARCH for ALEC, Secretary of State, accessed July 23, 2021. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "misos" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Nick Surgey 2019 Annual Meeting Attendees - Legislators Documented August 2019
  8. ↑ ALEC, Legislator Letter: Affirming Support for Israel and Condemning Hamas, ALEC, January 11, 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 David Armiak, "ALEC 2020 Annual Meeting Attendees and Sponsors Revealed", Center for Media and Democracy, July 23, 2020, accessed August 10, 2020.
  10. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, CTE Dan Lauwers 2014 Annual CS, $625 for "ANNUAL MEETING," Michigan Secretary of State
  11. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, CTE Dan Lauwers 2014 Annual CS, $200 for "CONTRIBUTION," Michigan Secretary of State
  12. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, CTE Dan Lauwers 2016 Pre-General CS, $100 for "MEMBERSHIP," Michigan Secretary of State
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, "Memorandum", January 31, 2011. Archived January 20, 2014, accessed January 18, 2021.
  14. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Friends of Jim Runestand 2017 Annual CS, $100 for "MEMBERSHIP," Michigan Secretary of State
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "Poor Attendance at Closed-Door Lansing Event Shows ALEC Power Waning," Progress Michigan, news release, March 25, 2015.
  16. ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18 16.19 16.20 16.21 16.22 16.23 16.24 16.25 16.26 16.27 16.28 16.29 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MichiganHouse
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Nick Surgey Aug 2019 "Documented", accessed: July 1, 2020
  18. ↑ Michigan State Court Administrative Office Judges of the Court of Appeals, government document, 2001
  19. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Friends of Cathy S. Crawford 2017 July Quarterly CS, $175 for "CONTRIBUTION," Michigan Secretary of State
  20. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Friends of Cathy S. Crawford 2016 Amended Pre-General CS, $100 for "TICKET," Michigan Secretary of State
  21. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Friends of Cathy S. Crawford 2017 July Quarterly CS, $100 for "SUBSCRIPTION," Michigan Secretary of State
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 Michigan Secretary of State, "ALEC Dues Processed during 2005 and after," on file with CMD, January 1, 2005-May 6, 2011
  23. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Gary Glenn for State Representative 2017 Amended July Quarterly CS, $100 for "MEMBERSHIP," Michigan Secretary of State
  24. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  25. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Committee to Elect Gary Howell 2018 Annual CS, $100 for "2-YR MEMBERSHIP FEE," Michigan Secretary of State
  26. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Committee to Elect Gary Howell 2018 Annual CS, $100 for "DUES," Michigan Secretary of State
  27. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "House of Representatives," organization website, accessed July 2, 2011
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Jack McHugh, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Model Resolution Opposing Obamacare Exchange, organizational blog post, July 25, 2011
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 Jamie Corey NEW ALEC MEMBERSHIP LIST NAMES MORE LEGISLATORS TIED TO THE GROUP Documented June 6, 2019
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Public Safety & Elections Task Force 2011 Spring Task Force Summit April 29, 2011 Minutes, organizational document, June 30, 2011, p. 5, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
  31. ↑ Michigan House of Representatives, HB 4050, state legislation, passed January 18, 2011
  32. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Dr Henry Vaupel for State Rep Committee 2016 Pre-General CS, $100 for "MEMBERSHIP," Michigan Secretary of State
  33. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC State Chairmen, document exposed by the Center for Media and Democracy, July 13, 2011
  34. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  35. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Civil Justice Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Durbin Response Letter, signatory letter to Senator Richard Durbin, August 8, 2013.
  37. ↑ Karen Bouffard, Many GOP-backed bills in Michigan copied from 'model bills', group says, Detroit News, August 13, 2012
  38. ↑ [http://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2017-2018/michiganmanual/2017-MM-P0121-p0276-Chapter3.pdf Michigan Manual 2017-2018
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 American Legislative Exchange Council, ’99 ALEC Leaders in the States, organizational document, archived by the Wayback Machine December 8, 2000, accessed November 2012
  40. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 1995ALECSB
  41. ↑ ALEC, State and Local Legislators Urge Congress to Eliminate State and Local Tax Deduction in Exchange for Pro-Growth Lower Rates, ALEC, October 16, 2017.
  42. ↑ Campaign Campaign Finance Expenditure Database, Dave Robertson for State Senate 2014 Annual CS, $100 for "MEMBERSHIP DUES," Michigan Secretary of State
  43. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "ALEC State Chairmen, organization website, accessed April 2012
  44. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
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