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Opposition to these policies comes from state representatives, citizens, and academics from both sides of the spectrum. Just two hours after these policies were adopted by the Legislative Executive Board, Bernie Hunhoff (D-Yankton) spoke out against using taxpayer money, characterizing ALEC as "extremist."<ref>Bob Mercer, [http://www.capjournal.com/news/conservative-group-s-dues-will-be-covered-by-sd-treasury/article_757305fa-ac95-11e2-b71e-001a4bcf887a.html Conservative Group Dues will be Covered by South Dakota Treasury], ''Capitol Journal'', April 26, 2013.</ref>
South Dakota's Democratic Party purchased ads in the Billings Brookings Register with over 160 citizen signatures opposing the policies.<ref>[http://wwwmadvilletimes.sddp.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploadscom/2013/05/photo.jpg Screen Shot citizens-protest-legislatures-use-of-tax-dollars-for-alec-dues/ Citizens Protest use of Argus Leader Citizen VoicesTax Dollars for ALEC Dues ], South Dakota Democratic Party, ''Madville Times'', May 1923, 2013.</ref> In addition, the Democratic Party created an ad with Senator Deb Peter's photo, identifying her as the chair for the South Dakota Senate Appropriations and the ALEC Chair for South Dakota legislators.<ref>[http://www.sddp.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Deb-Peters-and-ALEC-full.pdf Meet Senator Deb Peters] South Dakota Democratic Party.</ref>
Republican Representatives also disapprove of using taxpayer dollars to fund ALEC associated costs. Rep. Stace Nelson (R-Fulton), who opposes the new policies, joined ALEC as a first year representative in SD, but cancelled his membership, recognizing the corporate special interest influences.<ref name="Nelson and Shoenbeck say No">[http://madvilletimes.com/2013/04/nelson-schoenbeck-say-no-to-taxpayer-funding-of-alec-dues/ Nelson and Schoenbeck Say No to Taxpayer Funding of ALEC Dues], South Dakota, ''Madville Times'', April 24, 2013.</ref> Former Senator Lee Schoenbeck (R-Watertown) voiced his disapproval by discouraging legislators from attending ALEC's "brainwashing conventions." Additionally, former SD Republican Chairman, Joel Rosenthal, posed the question "Why would those that believe and espouse a smaller government want to have the State pay for their non-governmental partisan activity?"<ref>Joel Rosenthal, [http://southdakotastraighttalk.blogspot.com/2013/05/get-real.html?utm_source=feedly Get Real], ''Straight Talk Blog'', May 29, 2013.</ref>
