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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Thank You #F29!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you
#F29




Common Cause

People for the American Way

And EVERYONE else
(orgs and people I don’t have or know the web links for)

that is helping to fight the battle against the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and fighting to stop the corporate takeover of the US democracy.

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you






ALEC members and those affiliated with ALEC in any manner

MUST NOT BE RE-ELECTED or receive our support in any means or manner!

Without state and federal legislators ALEC will cease to exist and it will implode.

For more information on ALEC –
Please read this or this or this

This is what ALEC is About  - An Interview with Mark Pocan about the ALEC Annual Meeting.

A Minnesota specific report about ALEC by Common Cause.

And watch this news video  from North Carolina on how other ALEC "model legislation" is going to screw the citizens of North Carolina - legislation introduced by ALEC legislators.

Do your own "act of education".
Distribute these materials about ALEC to your friends and family.

Did ALEC Help Re-district Wisconsin?

You really need to read this!!!!

"Shameful" WI Redistricting Awaits Final Ruling

ALEC Private Sector Member Tries to Defend ALEC

(Unfortunately Google Blogs
won’t let me do more than a few  “quotes”
without totally screwing up the pageview
so the snips from the article are noted like this.)

When you are reviewing your tweets watch out for this one – he tweets to #Occupy as
@PositiveEnerG

This guy is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)  and the owner of Brownstone Communications out of Washington, DC – even though he says he is in Chicago.  The company has a typical ALEC like webpage that tells you nothing.

Today on @ALEC_states they applauded him for his great article on ALEC that was posted on Redstate webpage (at least I didn’t have to go on the virus infected Powerline webpage to get this).  Here’s what you should know about Redstate

Today, RedState is the most widely read right of center blog on Capitol Hill, is the most often cited right of center blog in the media, and is widely considered one of the most influential voices of the grassroots on the right.
The name of his blog entry is
The Truth About ALEC
And was published
Monday, February 27th at 6:01PM EST

And received
1 Comment
And had
ONE Recommenders

So let’s take a look at some of the lies he is spreading about ALEC with snips from his “diary”.


In recent months, ALEC has become a target of a sloppily-orchestrated, but well-funded effort by conspiracy theorists and anarchists (think “Occupy”) who care more about creating another dark, sinister boogeyman to scare you rather than honestly and seriously confront the challenges before us.
HONESTLY!  Seriously confronting the challenges before us?  What challenges the challenges of the private sector / corporate enterprise members that you represent?  And YES!  ALEC is a sinister boogeyman that does its business in secret!  For over 30 years ALEC has been writing legislation that is pro-business, unbeknownst to the American public.  And NO – the past year has proven that those of us who are here fighting ALEC are NOT “conspiracy theorists” – we are truth tellers about a sinister, secretive organization, known as ALEC that is trying to destroy representation of, by and for the people and change it to representation of, by and for corporations – an organization that is pushing fascism.


I’ve been intimately involved with ALEC for over fifteen years. I thought I’d share an honest perspective about ALEC and what it is and isn’t, rather than have you fall prey to the nonsense-chanting, drum-beaters in the tin foil hats.
Nuff said!  Except for the fact that – I take a bath daily, I have a job, I don’t wear a tin foil hat and I don’t beat on drums.
First, ALEC doesn’t exist in a vacuum. A number of legislative organizations similar to ALEC exist across the country. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), like ALEC, brings together legislators and policymakers from across the country who listen to and work with members of the private sector in an effort to promote public policy and learn about what’s worked — and what hasn’t worked — in their respective states.
ALEC is nothing like NCSL and he knows it!  If you review the comparison of the two organizations on ALEC Exposed  the major differences are:
  • NCSL is run by an Executive Committee made up of legislators only.
  • NCSL does not accept for-profit corporate members or donors.
  • NCSL is led by a fully bipartisan group of legislators through an "Executive Committee." Each year, the chair of NCSL's Executive Committee rotates between Republican and Democratic legislators.
Can’t say that for ALEC – which is funded by corporations, has legislation written with the help of corporations and has a “Private Sector Board” that meets to make decisions for ALEC.

Oh and by the way - you may want to take note of this:
More than 98% of ALEC's revenues come from sources other than legislative dues, such as corporations, corporate trade groups, and corporate foundations.

In addition to ALEC and NCSL, a wide range of other groups fulfill similar missions, such as the Council of State Governments (CSG), the State Legislative Leaders’ Foundation (SLLF), the National Governors’ Association (NGA) and others.
Not the way ALEC does – with ALEC’s pro-business agenda that is totally at the expense of the citizens of the United States.  ALEC cares about business - the other organizations he noted care about democracy and representation of, by, and for the people.

He then spends a whole paragraph praising the “states rights” focus of ALEC – while not mentioning once that their focus is pro-business in it’s focus.

Many of the recent attacks on ALEC seem to focus to a great extent on ALEC’s work to promote “model legislation” to be considered in states across the country as some sort of devious plot to avoid the legislative process in the states. Nothing could be further from the truth
Intentional misdirection of the topic by  this ALEC member. He then goes on to talk about ALEC’s “model legislation” (HAH!) and how it is comparative to the legislation penned by other organizations across the United States.  NOT ONCE does he mention that ALEC corporate representatives - aka lobbyists -  help write and vote on ALEC legislation before it is brought back to the states.  He completely glosses over the issue that our legislators sit with corporate lobbyists and write, review and vote on “pro-business” legislation that will be brought back to our states.  Pro-business legislation that hurts the US citizen and builds corporate profit.

I particularly like this snip, where he tries to compare NCSL and ALEC
First of all, both bring together legislators from across the country to discuss common problems they face in their states. Policymakers learn from legislative colleagues (and yes, regulated industries, academics and think tanks) how different approaches have worked, or have failed, in other states. Those policymakers benefit from the wisdom of those with greater experience and familiarity with issues than they may have themselves. And those who have confronted problems in their states are afforded the opportunity to share their wisdom and experience with others who benefit from it.
Well, well, well – NOW regulated industries are considered policymakers?  And let’s be clear that “regulated industries” are not the only corporations that sit at the table with our legislators at ALEC meetings and write, review, revise and vote on ALEC ”model legislation”.  ALEC “model legislation” that is pro-business in it’s entirety – unlike the legislation that comes out of NCSL.

I have served as a state private sector chairman for ALEC and I’ve previously served over ten years on both ALEC’s “Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development” and “Tax & Fiscal Policy” task forces. I’ve worked to support model resolutions for consideration, given presentations to task forces and been involved in the shaping of policy.
Would someone please tell me why he is shaping policy that affects Minnesota and Wisconsin.  I DID NOT elect him to my state legislature.  He should keep his nose out of the business of the states..

While it might be difficult for an Australian expert on public/private transportation partnerships to visit all fifty states and share Australia’s experience with the issue, that expert can visit ALEC or NCSL and be heard by legislators from around the entire country.
Here he specifically notes ALEC’s worldwide reach!  And as to the rest of this paragraph – I would like to know who paid for this Australian expert to come into the Untied States and address legislators AND what ALEC company he/she works for and what “ALEC model legislation” were they trying to get passed with this international expert.

Much of the criticism you may have seen or will continue to see about ALEC seems to be centered around the fact that the private sector is involved in ALEC and the ALEC process. Frankly, this as a strength of ALEC, rather than a detriment. And as much as the critics would have you believe that the private sector speaks to these issues from a unified voice, nothing could be further from the truth.
A strength – really ????? Having corporate lobbyists write pro-business legislation that is then introduced at our stat houses is a strength?  Unless you are a fascist – I do not believe that you would say something like this.  Lobbyists (unfortunately for us) have a place in the process – but most Americans would agree that place DOES NOT INCLUDE writing legislation at ALEC meetings.

While industry can be unified on an issue, they are just as likely to be divided on issues.
Who the hell cares – industry was NOT elected by the people of the United States of America.  This is a non-issue.  I don't give a damn if industry lobbyists arre divided on issues while they are at ALEC meetings - writing, revising and voting on ALEC "model legislation".  The key point is that business should not be writing legislation and giving it to ALEC members to take back to the states to implement.  The people of the United States ARE NOT divided on that issue.

The end result? Those legislators who serve on that ALEC task forces are vastly better informed than they otherwise would be.
Better informed in the way that business wants the US run – and, by the way they are probably better paid too than the legislators who don’t belong to a corporatist organization.

And despite the nonsense you may hear from ALEC critics, if these task forces reach consensus and agree on “model legislation” or a “resolution” or “statement of principles” related to a policy challenge, does the legislation get any special treatment if they choose to introduce it in their states? Nope.
Prove it – I want to see the flow of money between ALEC corporate sector members and ALEC legislators.  I want ALEC members to get off the payroll of the state for ALEC expenses – when we know in fact that AELC reimburses legislators directly for expenses they incur at ALEC meetings – and then the legislators bills the state also. 

And I can tell you that those who choose that path and are willing to give up significant portions of their time and put effort in becoming more engaged and informed by involvement with groups like ALEC are among the best elected representatives this country has to offer.
And many of us would disagree with you on that fact – but then again he is  speaking for the private sector – and he is  not and never has been an “elected” official.  He is an ALEC private sector / corporate enterprise member.  There is a big difference - huge difference.  But the passion in this snip shows how ALEC private sector / corporate enterprise members actually think they are part of the legislative process.

So when you see the well-funded and coordinated attacks against ALEC that you are likely to see in the coming months, please recognize them for what they are — a misleading, unfair, inaccurate political attacks and nothing more.
Well funded attacks???? – that’s a crock of shit and a lie, and he knows it.  All of us are activists with NO corporate money propping us up – like ALEC has.  We don’t have $365,075 coming to us from PhRMA to fight our ALEC battle – but ALEC has $365,075 and much, much more coming into their coffers to fight the people of the United States.

a misleading, unfair, inaccurate political attacks and nothing more.
That’s exactly what I think of his diary. 
Another pro-corporate private sector member trying to make sure that their precious ALEC gets some press that isn’t all negative – which it should always be – ALEC press should always be negative.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

ALEC - The Blue Light Special of Anti-Democracy

I saw this article which was snipped on the front page of Think Progress today and thought to myself - they are an private sector / corporate enterprise member of the American Legi$lative Exchange Council - I should read that.

And sure enough, there at the very end of the article was this paragraph.

Notably, PhRMA also made a contribution of $356,075 for general support to the American Legislative Exchange Council’s “Scholarship Fund,” a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that received intense media scrutiny last year for creating corporate-backed “model legislation” for ALEC’s state lawmaker- members to introduce in statehouses.

What??????
"nonproft that recieved intense media scrutiny last year"
What???????????

Think about the title of this article folks,
Drug lobby gave $9.4 million to nonprofits that spent big on 2010 election

And then re-read the last paragraph of the article as noted above.

$356,075. 
What a special price.  A bargain basement price. 
What a deal on destroying democracy in the US.

I wish I had $356,075 to provide general support to ALEC
- so I could buy myself a couple of legislators
- to pass legislation that I helped them write.
Pro-citizens legislation as opposed to pro-business legislation.

But then - I suppose it takes more than $356,075.
I kinda think there's probably a lot more money than that - passing hands 
- under the table and into off-shore bank accounts.
- it probably costs much more than $356,075 
- to destroy the US democracy.

And then again for PhRMA - $356.075 is probably just a drop in the bucket - to buy legislators and legislation.

Oh - by the way - looks like we have to make sure ALEC is the
"nonproft that received intense media scrutiny this year    "
Good luck to all who are particpating in F29.



ALEC members and those affiliated with ALEC in any manner
MUST NOT BE RE-ELECTED or receive our support in any means or manner!

Without state and federal legislators ALEC will cease to exist and it will implode.

For more information on ALEC –
Please read this or this or this

This is what ALEC is About  - An Interview with Mark Pocan about the ALEC Annual Meeting.

A Minnesota specific report about ALEC by Common Cause.

And watch this news video  from North Carolina on how other ALEC "model legislation" is going to screw the citizens of North Carolina - legislation introduced by ALEC legislators.

Do your own "act of education".
Distribute these materials about ALEC to your friends and family.

Becauseihaveto - Again!

First - thanks to all of you who take the time to come and visit.


Thanks for sharing my links with your friends and family.  I can't tell you how excited I am when I see the various links as referral source to my site.  It really makes me feel good.  Thank you so very much for your preicous time and valuable support.


Without you I would not exist and I do appreciate your time from the bottom of my heart.


People like you bring joy to my heart and I appreciate the time you take to read my entries.


To others who are posting my stuff on their webpage without giving me the appropriate credit or to the other segment of the population who think that this is there personal research site, where they can steal the research and then claim it as their own - this entry is for you.


This is published again (was published in 2011 also) - due to misuse of the information copied information from this site and then cited it as their own work or as belonging to them.

Therefore....
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If you are going to link to my blog  - that's great, excellent, wonderful!

If you are going to copy and paste anything from this blog:

In all cases - I expect you to link back to the original source - this blog.
In all cases - I expect that I am given credit for the work and research that I have done.
In all cases - don't take credit for work you did not do - that's the polite thing to do.

In all cases
- this site represents my personal opinion
- I do not represent or work for any one else and
- no one else works for or represents me.

Oh yeh - there's a copyright protection at the bottom of every web page also.

Amen.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Robert F (Bob) McDonnell (VA) - Former ALEC Member

I didn't say that -
InsideALEC magazine did.
ProgressiveVA  - implied it, suggested it, supported it - but never directly said it.

Bob McDonnell is an alumnus of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Bob McDonnell is a former ALEC member.
Bob McDonnell use to belong to the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Now, .............it's on the internet search engines
and that is all I wanted to do.

And if this Robert F McDonald (aka Bob) who was highlighted in Inside ALEC -  is the one and only Robert F MCDonnell who was the VA Attorney General in 2009, then why is there no mention to an ALEC membership on
this web page biography
or
this web page biography

WHY NOT????
But then - I wouldn't admit belonging to that nasty organzation either.
But then -
I wouldn't belong to an organization
that is trying to destroy our democracy and
destroy representation of, by and for the people and
replace it with government for the corporations.



Source:
Inside ALEC, April 2009, Page 31 – Member News
ALEC Alumni Named as Virginia Attorney General
ALEC alumni William C. Mims, a former Republican legislator from Loudoun County, Virginia, was unanimously confirmed by the Virginia General Assembly as the state’s new Attorney General to complete the term of Robert F. McDonnell, also a former ALEC member


And if you're a skeptic
A picture speaks a thousand words.

ALEC - And Other Government Officials

Ya know – you have to admit that when someone makes themselves available to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)  – they know what they are getting into.

In most cases, almost 100% of the time, when you are dealing with an extremist faction of the society – people know it and because of extreme factions people choose their associations carefully and in some cases – refuse association with the faction.
When someone goes to a Heartland meeting – they sympathize with the philosophies of Heartland.
When someone goes to a CPAC meeting – they sympathize with the philosophies of CPAC.
When someone goes to a Nazi meeting – they sympathize with the philosophies of Nazis.


The people shown below have all chosen to participate in some way with ALEC.
Because of that it is only fair to assume that they sympathize with ALEC extreme philosophies.

There are people in the federal government who are associated or linked to ALEC through their participation in ALEC activities.  How many - we will never know.

The people in government have known about ALEC and their agenda a lot longer than the general public.

This is only a minor list of people who have associated themselves with ALEC - but the titles should really put a Rick Santorum type of fear of god in your heart.

I think it is important that we understand that ALEC does not only affect us at the State level – but through their Alumni and their sympathizers they have a much wider influence in the US.

Start the list off with
Tom Vilsack - Secretary of Agriculture - ALEC Alumni

Task Force Advisors - 1995
Roger Heath. Governors Office of Energy &. Community Service
James Mietus. Office of Management and Budget
Mr. Jimmy Mason, Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Carole Jackson, U.S. Department of State, Multilateral Trade Affairs

Past ALEC Director
Mr. Sam Brunelli assumed his position as Executive Director of ALEC in October 1988. Prior to this, he served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education,

Speakers / Attendees at ALEC Meetings
The Natural Resources Task Force heard from Kelly Mader of Peabody Energy, who discussed our current and future energy needs; Michael Richard of the U.S. Department of Energy, who addressed the need for a long-term nuclear waste repository;

The Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force will consider several pieces of model language and hear from several national experts in tax and fi scal policy.     . Ike Brannon, a Senior Tax Economist at the U.S. Department of Treasury, will discuss current issues in federal tax policy and the importance of permanently extending President Bush’s tax cuts.

ALEC members also heard from distinguished speakers such as the , Dr. John Agwunobi. Dr. Agwunobi, who previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Cameron Quinn serves as the Senior Policy Advisor for) at the US Department of Defense.

Charles J. Cooper concentrates his practice in the areas of civil litigation and administrative law. From 1985. 1988, he served as Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice’s Off~ce of Legal Counsel.

The following people were honored at
ALECs 10th Anniversary Annual Meeting for
their role in the genesis and development of
ALEC: FOUNDERS (partial listing)
Hon. Ray Barnhardt Director Federal Highway Administration
Hon. Robert Carleson Assistant to the President for Policy Development
Hon. Donald Devine Director Office of Personnel Management
Attorney General Kenneth Eikenberry (WA)

Attendees of the 1992 Annual Meeting participated in plenary sessions, issue seminars and workshops on a wide range of topics. Major speakers included:
President George Bush;
Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan;
Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander;
Secretary of Transportation Andrew Card;
Secretary of Health and Human Service Louis Sullvan;
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Jack Kemp, Recipient of the 1992ThomasJeffersonFreedomAward;
Deputy Attorney General George Terwillegen


The Honorable Edwin Meese III Edwin Meese lit currently holds the Ronald Reagan Chair in Public Policy at the Heritage Foundation. Heisalso a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, California. Mr. Meese lectures and consults throughout the U.S. and is the author of With Reagan: The Inside Story, which was released by Regnery Gateway Publishers in June, 1992. Mr. Meese served as the 75th Attorney General of the United States from February 1985 to August 1988. Prior to that sen/ice, he held the position of Counsellor to the President from 1981 until 1985.

ALEC continued to provide a forum for the highest ranking political leaders of our time. At the Annual Meeting in New York, members heard from several cabinet secretaries and other state and national leaders, including
Attorney General John Ashcroft,
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson,
Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, and
Florida House Speaker Tom Feeney.

ALEC Alumni Announcements
ALEC alumni William C. Mims, a former Republican legislator from Loudoun County, Virginia, was unanimously confi rmed by the Virginia General Assembly as the state’s new Attorney General to complete the term of Robert F. McDonnell, also a former ALEC member.

Inside ALEC Authors
Jerry W. Kilgore is a former state and federal prosecutor and served as the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2002 to 2005.  

Pam Bondi is attorney general for the State of Florida, and is the lead plaintiff in Florida v. U.S. DHHS, the multi-state lawsuit challenging the federal health law.

Susan Patrick, former director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology. She is now the president and chief executive officer of the International Association for K-12 Online

From a picture heading
U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey (right) meets with Mr. Victor Schwartz of Shook Hardy & Bacon and a member of ALEC’s Board of Scholars as well as Co-Chair of ALEC’s Civil Justice Task Force.

From the Heartland Report on producing Climate Change Denying Curriculum for the Schools – I found this
Dr. David Wojick has presented Heartland a proposal to produce a global warming curriculum for K-12 schools that appears to have great potential for success. Dr. Wojick is a consultant with the Office of Scientific and Technical Information at the U.S. Department of Energy in the area of information and communication science.

Why is it important for ALEC to get into the federal government?
Here’s only one reason of many reasons I have found – but it is the most succinct from 1995
The U.S. Department of Justice and the federal court system seem to be perpetually meddling in state affairs
.

Looking for More Info on ALEC???? Two Really Good Options.

Based on the types of searches that are coming through my blog - it appears that many people are trying to educate themselves on the American Legislative Exchange council (ALEC)

ONE
I would recommend for anyone looking for information on ALEC to go to
ALEC Exposed
as your first point of research.

Look at the "Featured News"
- read the state reports
- read the major reports
- read about how ALEC and NCSL are different
- look at the "Who is Behind ALEC"
- review the corporate member list
- look at the politicians member list
- look at the model legislation.

REALLY take take to look at this site - it is your best resource for starting your research on ALEC.
After you have reviewed and read their site - then go out and look at what else is out there.

TWO
Would also suggest that you go to Daily Kos - to read up on ALEC
Daily Kos has a dedicated group of individuals that have been doing detailed, investigative writing about ALEC for over a year.
Two groups there have a fantastic list of articles on ALEC - be prepared to read!

        Exposing ALEC DKos Group

        Abolish ALEC DKos Group

Sunday, February 26, 2012

WI SB 486 - Moves Public Educ Money to Private Sector Profit

I have to admit up front – I hate doing bill comparisons.  It is time consuming and not my strong suit and my ADD kicks in and after awhile I can't concentrate on all the mumbo jumbo.

But when I read this article – I knew it was probably ALEC – although the author doesn’t know it.
The article is worth your time - it's short and it points out the major issues in the bill.

Wisconsin Senate Bill 486 “creating the Special Needs Scholarship


New Hampshire tried to pass a simplified version of this in 2006 and reintroduced it in 2010.
AN ACT establishing a special needs scholarship program

""""""
Wisconsin
Under the bill, a pupil attending a private school, or a public school outside the pupil's school district of residence, under the program is counted for state aid purposes by the pupil's school district of residence. However, the state aid paid to  that school district is reduced by the total amount of scholarships paid by DPI for pupils who reside in that school district.

New Hampshire
VI. A child participating in the program shall be counted in the average daily membership in residence of his or her resident school district. The amount of the scholarship shall be subtracted from equitable education grants payable to the child’s resident school district.

ALEC Model Legislation
(F) A participating students shall be counted in the enrollment of his or her resident school district. The funds needed to provide a scholarship shall be subtracted from the state school aid payable to the student's resident school district.

""""""
WISCONSIN
DPI pays the scholarship directly to the school or school district that the child will attend. The scholarship continues while the child attends a school eligible to participate in the program until he or she graduates from high school or until the end of the school term in which he or she turns 21, whichever comes first.

ALEC
(G) The Autism Scholarship shall remain in force until the student returns to a public school or graduates from high school or reaches his or her 21st birthday, whichever comes first.

""""""
WISCONSIN
Under the program, a child with a disability may receive a scholarship to attend a public school located outside the pupil's school district of residence, or a private school, if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The school has notified the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) of its
intent to participate in the program and the child has been accepted by the school.
2. If the school is a private school, it is approved as a private school by DPI or
is accredited.
3. An individualized education program (IEP) has been completed for the child.
4. In the previous school year, the child attended a public school, attended a
private school under a parental choice program (PCP), or did not attend school in this
state.

f) The child has been accepted by the school district in which the eligible public
school is located, the eligible charter school, or the eligible private school

ALEC
(A) Any parent of an eligible student shall qualify for a scholarship from the state
for the child to enroll in and attend a participating, private school if:
(1) the student with autism has had an Individualized Education Plan
written in accordance with the rules of the Department;
(2) the student has been accepted for admission at a participating school;
and
(3) the parent has requested a scholarship from the state before the
deadline established by the Department.

(B) "Eligible Student" means any elementary or secondary student in the state whose public school district has identified the child as having autism or autism spectrum disorder and who has an Individualized Education Plan in effect for the child, and the child was enrolled in public school in the previous school year or is eligible to enter public school in the school year in which a scholarship is first sought for the child.

""""""

WISCONSIN
Private school duties. Each private school participating in the program
under this section shall do all of the following:


(a) Comply with all health and safety laws or codes that apply to private
schools.
(b) Hold a valid certificate of occupancy, if required by the municipality in which
the school is located or, if the municipality in which the school is located does not
issue certificates of occupancy, obtain a certificate of occupancy issued by the local
or regional governmental unit with authority to issue certificates of occupancy.

(c) Comply with 42 USC 2000d.



(d) Conduct criminal background investigations of its employees and exclude
from employment any person not permitted to hold a teaching license as the result
of an offense and any person who might reasonably be believed to pose a threat to the safety of others.






(e) Annually submit to the department a school financial information report,
prepared by a certified public accountant, that complies with uniform financial
accounting standards established by the department by rule. The report shall be
accompanied by an auditor's statement that the report is free of material
misstatements and fairly represents pupil costs. The report shall be limited in scope
to those records that are necessary for the department to make payments to the
private school.


(f) If the private school expects to receive at least $50,000 in scholarships under
this section during a school year, do one of the following before the beginning of the
school year:

1. File with the department a surety bond payable to the state in an amount
equal to the total amount of scholarships expected to be received by the private school  during the school year under this section.




File with the department financial information demonstrating that the
private school has the ability to pay an amount equal to the total amount of
scholarships expected to be received by the private school during the school year
under this section
ALEC
Section 6. {Accountability Standards for Participating Schools}
(A) Administrative Accountability Standards. To ensure that students are treated fairly and kept safe, all participating, private schools shall:
(1) comply with all health and safety laws or codes that apply to private
schools;

(2) hold a valid occupancy permit if required by their municipality;






(3) certify that they comply with the nondiscrimination policies set forth in
42 USC 1981;12 and

(4) conduct criminal background checks on employees. The participating school then shall:
(a) exclude from employment any people not permitted by state law to work in a private school; and
(b) exclude from employment any people that might reasonably pose a threat to the safety of students.

(B) Financial Accountability Standards. To ensure that public funds are spent appropriately, all participating, private schools shall:
(1) demonstrate their financial accountability by:





(a) annually submitting to the Department a financial information report for the school that complies with uniform financial
accounting standards established by the Department and conducted
by a certified public accountant; and
(b) having an auditor certify the report is free of material
misstatements and fairly represents the costs per pupil. The
auditor's report shall be limited in scope to those records that are
necessary for the Department to make payments to participating
schools on behalf of parents for Autism Scholarships.







(2) demonstrate their financial viability by showing they can repay any
funds that might be owed the state, if they are to receive $50,000 or more
during the school year, by:

(a) filing with the Department prior to the start of the school year a
surety bond payable to the state in an amount equal to the
aggregate amount of the Autism Scholarships expected to be paid
during the school year to students admitted to the participating,
private school; or

(b) filing with the Department prior to the start of the school year financial information that demonstrates the school has the ability to pay an aggregate amount equal to the amount of the Autism
Scholarships expected to be paid during the school year to students
admitted to the participating, private school.


.
ALEC butt-wipes - up to their normal pro-business nastiness.
Taking public money and giving it to the private sector - so ALEC private sector members / corporates enterprise members can make more moeny.

Who loses - the students!  The parents of the students.  The community.
Big Business wins - the community suffers.

You might want to review this article also from awhile ago.

Photo Goes Viral - and I Missed It

Maybe you did also - so I'll put this out there for you.

From HuffPo on Friday, 2/24 - - -

There is so much wrong this story and the image.

There is so much being told in this story and this image.

There is so much divisiveness portrayed by this whole thing.
Divisiveness that is unnecessary
Divisiveness that is uncalled for
Divisiveness - becausetheycan

Good for him / her - they made it to the 1%.
But is it necessary to shove the 99%'s nose in it?
Yes, becausetheycan.

Is it important to prove your superiority?
Yes, becausetheycan.

Does it give him/her a sense of accomplishment to do this?
How superior this 1%er feels in their world!

Tell me - what does a "real job" look like to the 99%?

It's time that they realized that they have left the 99% to clean up their shit
- literally and figuratively speaking.
And that - my folks - is the "real job" in today's economic disaster.

What does this portrayal in inhumanity really show?
Fear?  Anger?  Disdain? 


This is so sad, it is "breaks my heart" sad, and made even more stunning by the following facts.

More 99%ers have lost their jobs because of the 1% -
than 1%ers have lost their jobs because of the 99%

Number of arrests of the 99% - over 6,000 - for waking up America!
Banksters arrested for destroying our economy - NONE.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Haley (SC) - Lies About ALEC

I saw this snip earlier this week when researching the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and tried to find something more substantial on it and could not until today.

Dennis Shreefer, a former WSPA anchor from Roebuck, walked away less pleased with his visit with the governor.

Shreefer said he asked Haley questions about what she knows about the influence of the American Legislative Exchange Council in state government, from the group's model bills introduced by members of the General Assembly to Haley's own connection to the group.

“I didn't think she was very forthcoming,” said Shreefer, who declined to give his age. “I'm not calling her a liar, I just think she knows more than what she was telling me.”

Shreefer said he left Haley's staff with several Freedom of Information Act requests related to the issue
I found the entire report on it today and there is the repetition of a theme that is predominant amongst ALEC members.
As the ‘meeting’ progressed, it was clear that Haley had almost nothing for me. She said there were a lot of ALEC members in the legislature, but only ended up naming two. She allowed as how she had gone to a couple of meetings in Chicago and San Francisco but insisted that she had paid for her travel and lodging even when her own ethics filings indicated the she had been gifted and reimbursed by ALEC. She also ducked any meaningful answer about why her ethics report said she paid a $1,000 membership fee as a South Carolina House member prior to being elected governor. I believe the basic legislator membership was in the neighborhood of $100. Higher dues are for higher positions.

Haley pleaded ignorance of any knowledge of ALEC model legislation currently sweeping the General Assembly floor. I threw out the example of a Senator ‘Chip’ Campsen who is in the process of pushing a Voter ID bill that comes straight off the ALEC presses. She said she didn’t know a thing about it or an earlier piece of legislation whose sponsor didn’t even bother to change the ALEC title. Considering ALEC calls a goodly number of the shots in her legislature, she was sure acting dumb. And dumb she’s not.

No – She’s not dumb – she’s an ALEC liar – just like the whole lot of them.

Oh, and by the way – her $1,000 ALEC membership – that’s ONE of FIVE payments for an ALEC LEGACY membership - ONE of FIVE payments you will see on her South Carolina ethics report,  A HUNDRED times the average $50 yearly dues a legislator pays - so Nikki Haley can get special treatment.  So if SC is reimbursing her for these costs - $5,000 from the State of South Carolina - for SPECIAL treatment by ALEC, to fund the ALEC capital campaign.

Your contribution to the Legacy Membership Program will be held in a dedicated capital fund for the future growth and support of ALEC’s ongoing struggle to promote liberty
.
The following benefits will be extended to Legacy Members, after the Charter membership limit is met:
ΓΌ   Designation as a Legacy Member of ALEC.
ΓΌ   A $100 registration fee to attend all ALEC meetings and conferences for life.
ΓΌ   A certificate honoring the Legacy Member for his or her dedication and commitment to ALEC and a permanent name badge indicating his or her designation as a Legacy Member.
ΓΌ   Invitation to all Membership and Policy events held in their state. n Invitation to VIP events at ALEC meetings.
ΓΌ   Receive all ALEC mailings and participate in one designated Task Force.
ΓΌ   Direct access to a designated ALEC staff member for assistance.
 She's a liar – South Carolina – a liar and liars do not belong in public service.

There is something
VERY VERY wrong and dangerous about ALEC
when their members lie
about their membership and activities
 with
the American Legislative Exchange Council

Send a Message to Koch, oops I mean Coke.

The Center for Media and Democracy has a short note you can send to Koch Coke.

HERE's THE LINK

ALEC Starts a Blog

ALEC's AntiDemocracy BLOG


Interesting - since it was just last March that they accused bloggers about spreading lies about them.

Wonder what they are going to spread lies about.

Wonder if the Koch's put up the money for this venture.

Wonder if they will put every comment out for everyone to read.

I'm surprised they have started publishing their crap online again - they seemed to pull everything at the time of the Snottsdale protest - guess they probably have someone overseeing the content so they don't put their big old lying ALEC foot in their mouth.

KUDO's to KARE11 TV - Had the guts to say "ALEC"

Here's the link to the story

KARE11 TV - MINNEAPOLIS

Janssen (NE) Lies About ALEC Membership

In a report that was published today - please watch the video on the report also - the following statements by Charlie Janssen are noted (my emphasis):
Then. Janssen said, "You know what, the first time I've talked about ALEC in two years is when you inquired about it."

"I'm not a member of ALEC.  I've never attended an ALEC function either here in Lincoln or they have national conventions," added the Fremont Senator.

Dorland handed him a document that still lists the Senator on a big ALEC committee. 

Janssen admitted, "Yeah, on my first year here I, I signed up for ALEC and then let my dues lapse."

Did he let his "membership"  lapse before or after he accepted the assignment to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
Commerce, Insurance & Economic Development Task Force
Did he phone in as a member of this task force?

From Inside ALEC January 2009 - page 9
Once you have joined, please contact your ALEC State Chair to be appointed to a Task Force and to learn about other opportunities.

Doesn't go to ALEC meetings IN LINCOLN - how convenient - do they have meetings in Lincoln?

"they have national conventions" - so what?  Is that ALECspeak - the fact that ALEC has conventions does NOT disavow your membership in ALEC.

His "first year here" was 2008  - NOT 2011 which is the year the ALEC Exposed received the documents that they used for their wiki.

Does ALEC hold some kind of seminar on
"How to Lie to the Media - without looking like you are actually Lying"
at all their meetings every year.

Hey, Janssen – why do ya lie about ALEC?
ΓΌ      You lie about the organization that puts pre-written legislation in your grubby little hand just by visiting the ALEC “Members Only” webpage – which is now “outed”?
ΓΌ      You lie about the organization that reaffirms your commitment to free-market philosophy at the expense of representative government?
ΓΌ      You lie about the organization that you belong to that wants to privatize all government services and turn them over to the ALEC Corporate Sector / Private Enterprise members?
ΓΌ      You lie about your membership in an organization whose corporate sponsors help you write legislation – legislation / government by the corporations and for the corporations?
ΓΌ      You lie - about belonging - when in fact you are a "task force" member?

Yo! – Janssen - are you embarrassed to acknowledge your relationship with ALEC?

I would be –
but then, I wouldn’t be a member of an organization
that in my opinion subverts democracy in the United States.

He’s a liar – Nebraska – a liar and liars do not belong in public service.

There is something
VERY VERY wrong and dangerous about ALEC
when their members lie
about belonging to the American Legislative Exchange Council