ALEC on Money & Politics

Access a PDF version of the fact sheet here.

ALEC's Legislative Agenda on Money & Politics

Through the American Legislative Exchange Council, on ALEC task forces corporate lobbyists and special interests vote as equals with elected representatives on templates to change our laws, behind closed doors with no press or public allowed to see the votes or deliberations. ALEC legislation on money in politics caters to those corporate interests. It includes proposals that support the controversial Citizens United decision to allow unlimited corporate spending in elections, oppose disclosure of money spent in elections, oppose the public financing of campaigns, and support large corporate spending in elections.

Supporting the Citizens United Decision

• ALEC's "Resolution in Support of the Citizens United Decision" supports the controversial Supreme Court decision to allow unlimited corporate spending in elections. The ALEC resolution opposes expanded disclosure of money spent in elections, reversing its position in an earlier resolution, the "Resolution Supporting Citizen Involvement in Elections," which had supported some disclosure to combat corruption.

Opposing Public Financing of Campaigns

• ALEC's "Resolution Opposing Taxpayer Financed Political Campaigns" expresses opposition to clean election laws that would involve public financing of candidates, and instead endorses the private financing of candidates. Private financing allows corporations to make large contributions to candidates and give them inside access to lawmakers.

Pushing for More Big Money in Campaigns

• ALEC's "Resolution Supporting the First Amendment in Elections" demonstrates an extreme approach to "free speech" that ALEC corporations take in regards to political communications. The resolution was adopted in opposition to "false statement" laws passed by states that help voters make an informed decision by banning campaign ads that are misleading or untrue.