News and Observer: ALEC documents show strong ties to N.C. lawmakers

Posted on — David Forbes

From The News and Observer:

A business-backed, limited-government group that counts House Speaker Thom Tillis as a leader is exerting increasing influence in North Carolina, according to newly disclosed records.

The American Legislative Exchange Council counted 54 out of 170 North Carolina lawmakers as members through June, or roughly one-third of the General Assembly. The state is one of only seven to increase membership more than 40 percent.

The numbers are highlighted in new internal ALEC documents, obtained and published by the British newspaper The Guardian, that shed new light on the organization’s presence in the state.
About 10 state lawmakers are attending the group’s conference in Washington this week.

The two North Carolina lawmakers who serve on the national board of directors – Tillis and Asheville Rep. Tim Moffitt – are named in the documents as key potential fundraisers for a major donor campaign. The organization is trying to generate new money after more than 60 corporate and 400 legislative members left it over the past two years. A number of North Carolina entities are identified as possible prospects.

SHARE

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

0 thoughts on “News and Observer: ALEC documents show strong ties to N.C. lawmakers”

  1. Heather Rayburn

    Thank you, Mountain Xpress, for helping shine a light under this nasty rock so we can see how these jokers operate and who they represent. For more information, see:

    http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed
    http://speakingforbuncombe.com/moffittpopealec/

    We’re currently witnessing how brutal and undemocratic “business-backed, limited-government” can be on the people of NC. Here’s just one quick example:

    It means opening the door to fracking and setting up “forced pooling” so that if your neighbors sell their gas to corporations, you will be FORCED to sell yours whether you want to our not. It’s government by and for corporations — not government for the people. It’s immoral. It’s gross. It’s creepy. It’s par for the course in public policy from people like Tim Moffitt (ALEC board member).

    http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/28/3145187/officials-ok-rule-to-force-fracking.html

  3. timothypeck

    “It’s immoral. It’s gross. It’s creepy. ”

    You forgot ‘icky’.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.