South Dakota ALEC Politicians
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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.
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2013 South Dakota Legislature Uses Taxpayer Dollars to Fund ALEC Membership
In March of 2013, urged by House Speaker Brian Gosch (R-Rapid City) and Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson (R-Wentworth), the South Dakota Legislature voted on a $5,000 per legislator increase in the yearly budget amounting to $500,000 additional dollars for salaries, travel, and other reimbursements for South Dakota Representatives.[1] In addition to this large budgetary increase for the benefit of State Legislators (as compared to the cuts to education and healthcare in South Dakota) the Republican Majority of the Legislature's Executive Board adopted two policies in its April 23rd Meeting that would become effective May 1, 2013.[2]
First, the Executive Board voted to pay membership fees of $100 per Legislator for each of the 105 South Dakota Legislators to be members of American Legislative Exchange Council, coming to a total of $10,500 of taxpayer money that would be used to fund membership to the corporate-cronyism organization.[3] Next, the Executive Board expanded the eligible travel fund reimbursement options to include travel to out-of-state ALEC meetings and events. Some claim that this expansion of the travel policy was conveniently rushed to the floor to accommodate the 9 Republican legislators who attended the ALEC Spring Task Force meeting in Oklahoma City on May 3-4 (rather than waiting for the appropriate budget timing on July 1. [4]
These policies use taxpayer dollars to funnel money "up to corporate ladder" and into ALEC, where the exchange may as well mean "exchange your local grass-roots democracy for crony-capitalism" according to the Madville Times.[4] Two days after these policies were adopted, Democratic Legislators spoke out in local media against using taxpayer money for membership and travel associated with ALEC, posting petitions with over 160 South Dakota Residents opposing the policies. [5] In addition, Moveon.org is circulating a petition that has gathered over 800 signatures in opposition to the policies. [6]
Bernie Hunhoff (D-Yankton), the House Democrat Leader, and Jason Frerichs (D-Wilmot), Senate Democrat Leader, demanded that the Legislature not pay any money on behalf of any Democratic Legislators for membership to the "biased, extremist lobbying organization." Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
In defense of the new policies, Republican legislators compare the ALEC to other nonpartisan legislative groups such as National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Council of State Government (CSG). The fundamental difference between ALEC and these organizations, however, are that NCSL and CSG are organizations solely comprised of legislators and annually rotate leadership between
South Dakota Politicians with ALEC Ties
For a list of politicians with known ALEC ties, please see ALEC Politicians.
This is a partial list of South Dakota 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.
South Dakota Legislators with ALEC Ties
House of Representatives
- Rep. Kristin A. Conzet (R-32), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[7]
- Rep. Justin Cronin (R-23), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member [8]
- Rep. Brian Gosch (R-32), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member[9]
- Rep. Jon Hansen (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member [10]
- Rep. Charles Hoffman (R-23), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate[11]
- Rep. Stace V. Nelson (R-19), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member[12]
- Rep. David Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member [13]
- Rep. Betty Olson (R-28B)[14], ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate[15]
- Rep. Fred W. Romkema (R-31), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member[16]
- Rep. Jacqueline Sly (R-33), ALEC Education Task Force Member[17]
- Rep. Roger D. Solum (R-5), ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Member[18]
- Rep. Manny Steele (R-12), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[19]
- Rep. Hal Wick, (R-12) ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member [20]
Senate
- Sen. Corey Brown (R-23), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate[21]
- Sen. Phil Jensen (R-33)[14], ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[22]
- Sen. Al R. Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate[23]
- Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), State Chairman[24], International Relations Task Force[25] and Communications and Technology Task Force member [26]
- Sen. Tim Rave (R-25), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[27]
U.S. Representative
- Rep. Kristi Noem (R-6), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member[28]
Former Representatives
- Rep. Jamie Boomgarden (R-17), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[29]
- Rep. Arnold Brown (R) currently sits on Judicial Qualifications Commission. [30]
- Rep. Justin Davis (R-23), guest at December 2010 meeting of the ALEC International Relations Task Force meeting[25]
- Rep. Bob Deelstra (R-9), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member [13]
- Rep. Carole Hilliard (R) was Lt. Gov. 1995-2003. [31]
- Rep. Joyce Hodges (R)[32]
- Rep. Lora Hubbel (R-11), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate[33]
- Rep. Roger W. Hunt (R-10), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member [34]
- Rep. Kenneth McNenny (R)[35]
- Rep. Tad Perry (R-24), ALEC Education Task Force Member[36]
- Rep. Valentine Rausch (R-4),[37] State Chairman[24] and International Relations Task Force member[25]
- Rep. Charles M. Turbiville (R-31), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[38]
- Rep. Kim Vanneman (R-26B) , ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member[39]
- Rep. Mark K. Willadsen (R-11), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate[40]
Former Senators
- Sen. Tom Hansen (R-22), ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Member[41]
- Sen. Jeffrey K. Haverly (R-35), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate[25][8]
- Sen. Elizabeth Kraus (R-33), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[42]
- Sen. Todd J. Schlekeway (R-11), ALEC Education Task Force Member[43]
References
- ↑ GOP Spends Tax Dollars on ALEC Dues, Trips; Dems Reject Koch Brothers Influence, South Dakota, Madville Times, April 23, 2013.
- ↑ Who's Paying for Republicans at ALEC Convention this Weekend?, Press Release, South Dakota Democratic Party, May 3, 2013.
- ↑ Our Voice: Sate Should Not Pay Lawmakers' Dues to ALEC, American News Editorial Board, Aberdeen News, April 27, 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Spending your Tax Dollars on Partisan ALEC Meetings, South Dakota,Madville Times, May 14,2013.
- ↑ Citizens Protest use of Tax Dollars for ALEC Dues , South Dakota, Madville Times, May 23, 2013.
- ↑ Moveon.org petition Opposing Support of ALEC with Taxpayer Money, accessed July 9, 2013.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, organizational task force membership directory, March 31st, 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Civil Justice Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 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
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Robert C. Byrd and Nancy Pelosi RE: Federal health reform efforts, June 24, 2009
- ↑ 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
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, organizational task force membership directory, June 30, 2011, p. 31, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/tax_35-daymailing_stfs2011_updated%20Ohio.pdf – Full Name and Address], Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 American Legislative Exchange Council, "ALEC State Chairmen, organization website, accessed April 2012
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 American Legislative Exchange Council, International and Federal Relations Task Force meeting and Federal Relations Working Group, meeting agenda and materials, August 4, 2011, on file with CMD
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ ALEC 1995 SB
- ↑ ALEC 1995 SB
- ↑ ALEC 1995 SB
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ ALEC 1995 SB
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/tax_35-daymailing_stfs2011_updated%20Ohio.pdf – Full Name and Address], Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
- ↑ 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
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause