Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin Legislators with ALEC Ties

Assembly

Senate

Former Representatives

Former Senators

Wisconsin Legislators With ALEC References in Blue Books

  • Sen. Donald K. Stitt (R) – State Chairman of ALEC (1987-1988), Member (1991-1992 and 1993-1994) (also State Chairman in 1986[83])
  • Rep. Susan B. Vergeront (R) – WI Chairperson (1989-1990 and maybe 1991-1992)
    • Task Force on Empowerment, Family and Urban Planning
    • ALEC Legislator of the year (1991)
  • Rep. Marc C. Duff (R) - (1991 – 1998)
  • Rep. Annette P. Williams (D) – America’s Outstanding State Legislator Award (1990)
  • Mary Lazich (R) – Member (1993 – 1998)
  • Timothy T. Hoven (R) – Member (1995-1998)
    • Task Force Commerce and Economic Development (1997-1998)
  • Michael Huebsch (R) – Member (1995-1996)* Huebsch was the state co-chairman in at least 2010 if not before, until he became an appointee of Governor Scott Walker in 2011
  • Mark A. Green (R) – State Chairman (1995-1998)
  • Jeffrey T. Plale (D) – Member (1997-2010)
  • Tommy Thompson (R) – Thomas Jefferson Award Winner (1991)
  • Neal Kedzie (R) – Member (1999-2010)
  • Jeff Fitzgerald (R) – Member (2001-2011)
  • Bonnie L. Ladwig (R) – Member (2001-2002)
  • Steve Wieckert (R) – Member (2003-2004)
  • Scott Walker (R) – Member (1995 – 1998)
  • Judith Klusman (R) – Member, Task Force on Telecommunications and Agriculture
  • David A. Zien (R) – Member (1995 – 1996)
  • Scott Suder (R) – Criminal Justice Task Force Co-Chair (2002-2004), Member (2002-2010)
  • Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)[84]

Wisconsin Legislators Mentioning ALEC in their Statements of Economic Interest

2014 Assembly
  • Tyler August - Received $1467 "scholarship" for ALEC winter meeting and $1494 "scholarship" for ALEC annual conference
  • Dan Knodl - Received $1100 from ALEC
  • Mike Kuglitsch - Received $1282.71 "scholarship" for ALEC Dallas conference, $604.20 "scholarship" for ALEC Washington, DC conference
  • Stever Nass - Received $1734.21 from ALEC
  • John Nygren - Received $1525.13 "scholarship" for ALEC Dallas conference, $2037 (possibly $2087) "scholarship" for ALEC Washington, DC conference, and $1209.99 for speaking at Pacific Policy Foundation conference
  • Jeremy Thiesfeldt - Received $2106 from ALEC and $764 from Foundation for Excellence in Education
2012 Assembly
2011 Senate
2011 Assembly
2010 Senate
2010 Assembly
2009 Assembly
  • Kitty Rhoades (R) - Received $575
  • Jeffery Stone (R) - Received $1,200
  • Scott Suder (R) - Received $2,200

Wisconsin Legislators Paying ALEC Membership Fees with Tax Dollars

References to Wisconsin ALEC Members in the Cap Times

From the Capital Times (2011):

“These days, a lot of it is health-related. ALEC, a strong believer in state's rights, federalism, and the free-market, is fighting federal health care reform tooth and nail. (It also opposes various state efforts to crack down on the health insurance industry and expand coverage.) Since 2005, 38 states have passed legislation crafted by its Health and Human Services Task Force, according to the ALEC guide. Wisconsin promises to soon be one of the star performers. 'There have been boilerplate bills that have similar characteristics to what has been passed here in Wisconsin,' Fitzgerald says.

In December, he says, he and 20 to 30 other Wisconsin GOP lawmakers attended ALEC's national meeting Washington D.C. (emphasis added), where a key topic of study and conversation was federal health care reform. The 'State Legislators' Guide to Repealing Obamacare' was handed out at this meeting, and its model legislation discussed. 'A good example of that is a bill Joe Leibham is working on right now,' Fitzgerald says.

"Sen. Joe Leibham, R-Sheboygan, and Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, introduced the bill Fitzgerald is talking about on Thursday. The 'Health Care Freedom Amendment' would change the Wisconsin constitution to prohibit the government from forcing anyone to participate in any public or private health care or insurance program. The amendment is meant to block the implementation of federal health care reform.”[86]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 David Armiak and Arn Pearson, ALEC Has Half the Legislative Members it Claims, Exposed by CMD, December 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 American Legislative Exchange Council, Durbin Response Letter, signatory letter to Senator Richard Durbin, August 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  4. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Jamie Corey NEW ALEC MEMBERSHIP LIST NAMES MORE LEGISLATORS TIED TO THE GROUP Documented June 6, 2019
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 American Legislative Exchange Council, email obtained via Open Records Request, on file with CMD, 2016.
  7. ↑ ALEC, State Chairs, ALEC, accessed February 2023.
  8. ↑ ALEC, Legislator Letter: Affirming Support for Israel and Condemning Hamas, ALEC, January 11, 2024.
  9. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  10. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Public Safety Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 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
  12. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Google, signatory letter to Google, September 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 LEGISLATIVE TRAVEL, ATTENDANCE FEES TOTAL $55,000, WisPolitics, May 10, 2013.
  15. ↑ Wisconsin Legislator ALEC Campaign Expenditures, 2008-2019, Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, Compiled by Greenpeace USA on Sept. 12, 2019
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 American Legislative Exchange Council, organizational task force membership directory, June 30, 2011, p. 31, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
  17. ↑ Stephanie Jones, Rep. Vos heading to New Orleans for ALEC convention; local progressives call group concerning, Journal Times, August 5, 2011
  18. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  19. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Public Safety Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  20. ↑ Nick Surgey, REVEALED: ALEC MEETING REGISTRATION LIST, STATE LEGISLATORS IN THE MINORITY, MANY STATES UNREPRESENTED, Documented, December 6, 2019.
  21. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Civil Justice Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  22. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  23. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 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.
  25. ↑ Denise Lockwood, Corporate Backed Boiler-plated Legislation The Topic of Investigation Piece, Mount Pleasant Patch, July 19, 2011
  26. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  27. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Nick Surgey 2019 Annual Meeting Attendees - Legislators Documented August 2019
  29. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  30. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  31. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  32. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Public Safety Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 David Armiak, ALEC Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force Registered Attendees for the 2021 States & Nation Policy Summit, ExposedbyCMD, February 8, 2022.
  34. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  35. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  36. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  37. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  38. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC State Chairmen, document exposed by the Center for Media and Democracy, July 13, 2011
  39. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "ALEC Joint Board of Directors Meeting," meeting brochure, July 25, 2000
  40. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  41. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  42. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  43. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  44. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  45. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  46. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  47. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid, RE: the EPA’s plan to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, March 10, 2010
  49. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  50. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  51. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  52. ↑ State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, Campaign Finance Report: Taxpayers for Nygren, July Continuing 2011, Report filed by NygrRep. John Nygren's PAC showing ALEC membership dues payment on January 18, 2011, report filed July 20, 2011
  53. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  54. ↑ Office of State Rep. Don Pridemore, Re: Open Records Request- ALEC Conference materials- Dec 05, 2012, email response, December 11, 2012, on file with CMD.
  55. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC Leadership Network, membership publication, 1987, document archived in the "Tobacco Library," accessed June 2012
  57. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  58. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "ALEC State Chairmen, organization website, accessed April 2012
  59. ↑ STATE REP. SUDER TO LEAD NATIONAL TASKFORCE ON HOMELAND SECURITY, US Fed News Service, newswire, July 3, 2007
  60. ↑ Rep. Mike Kuglitsch Office, [email to CMD informed of State chair change], 2019.
  61. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  62. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  63. ↑ FitzSen. Scott Fitzgerald staff member, RE: Question, email to constituent, July 9, 2013, on file with CMD.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Patrick Marley, Fitzgerald rejoins ALEC after short break, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "All Politics Blog," September 23, 2013.
  65. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Robert C. Byrd and Nancy Pelosi RE: Federal health reform efforts, June 24, 2009
  66. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, – Full Name and Address, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  67. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force Membership Directory, August 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  68. ↑ Data Recognition Corporation, About Us, corporate website, accessed June 2012
  69. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  70. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  71. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  72. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  73. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force Membership Directory, December 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  74. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Sourcebook, annual organizational publication, 1995
  76. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  77. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  78. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  79. ↑ LaziSen. Mary Lazich, Re: ALEC Exposed, email to constituent, March 25, 2013, on file with CMD.
  80. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [1].
  81. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  82. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
  83. ↑ Ralph A. Rossum, Benedict J. Koller and Christopher P. Manfredi, Juvenile Justice Reform: A Model for the States, Claremont: Rose Institute of State and Local Government and the American Legislative Exchange Council, March, 1987, p. vi
  84. ↑ Denise Lockwood Corporate Backed Boiler-plated Legislation The Topic of Investigation Piece, Mt. Pleasant Patch], blog, July 19, 2011
  85. ↑ Scot Ross, "Wisconsin Now Exclusive: WI Senators Paying Corporate ALEC Membership with Tax Dollars, One Wisconsin Now website, May 8, 2011
  86. ↑ Shawn Doherty, "State GOP health bills mirror model ALEC legislation," The Capital Times, March 27, 2011
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