April, 29 2014, 04:27pm EDT
Media Advisory: New Report Exposes ALEC's Remarkable Influence In Missouri and Kansas Capitols
Corporate Dating Service Doles Out Hundreds of Thousands in Free Trips as Lawmakers Introduce Bill after Bill On Behalf of ALEC Corporations
JEFFERSON CITY, MO
Progress Missouri and the Center for Media and Democracy will host a press call at 9:30 a.m. central on Wednesday, May 1 to discuss new research highlighting the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) ongoing influence in the Kansas and Missouri State Capitols. The report, authored by Progress Missouri and the Center for Media and Democracy shows that ALEC has lavished hundreds of thousands of dollars on Kansas and Missouri politicians and those trips have resulted in dozens of bills being introduced on behalf of ALEC's corporate members.
This new research arrives just days before ALEC brings together corporations and politicians from around the country in Kansas City to approve new bills that will be introduced in state capitols nationwide next year.
WHO: Representatives from Progress Missouri and the Center for Media and Democracy
TIME: Wednesday, May 1, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. central CALL-IN DETAILS: 573-200-6943 No PIN required. A recording of the call will available upon request.
The influence of ALEC is strong in Topeka, Jefferson City and state capitols around the country. Our research shows:
120 current and former Kansas and Missouri legislators with ALEC ties At least 58 ALEC model and ALEC-inspired bills filed in the Missouri legislature in recent years At least 24 ALEC model and ALEC-inspired bill have been filed in the Kansas legislature in recent years We have identified 47 MO legislators with ALEC ties, while ALEC claimed in documents obtained last year that 57 are members (leaving at least 10 unknown) We have identified 48 KS legislators with ALEC ties, while ALEC claims 69 are members (leaving at least 21 unknown)
Additional events to highlight ALEC's extreme agenda in advance of their upcoming Kansas City meetings include:
A film screening and panel discussion on Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. (Crowne Plaza Hotel, downtown KC)
A rally on Friday, May 2 at 12:00 p.m. (Barney Allis Plaza, directly across the street from from Downtown KC Marriott where ALEC will be holding secretive meetings)
For more information about this week's events, please visit Stand Up to ALEC in Kansas City.
For questions, please contact Sean Soendker Nicholson at (573) 427-7326 or sean@progressmissouri.org
The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) is a non-profit investigative reporting group. Our reporting and analysis focus on exposing corporate spin and government propaganda. We publish PRWatch, SourceWatch, and BanksterUSA. Our newest major investigation is available at ALECexposed.org. We accept no funding from for-profit corporations or the government. If you would like to make a financial contribution to support our work, please click here.
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