Facts, not falsehoods, about the American Legislative Exchange Council

Earlier this month, during a gathering at Washington, D.C.’s National Portrait Gallery for the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 50th Anniversary Gala, attendees were met with protestors from People for the American Way, a group founded by the progressive billion-dollar Tides Foundation. In addition to the protest, People for the American Way also targeted ALEC in a recent opinion piece.

When asked what ALEC was, the protestors we spoke to didn’t know. There seems to be a lot of that going around when it comes to ALEC.

ALEC is the nation’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism. Our members represent more than 60 million Americans and work to lower taxes, eliminate burdensome regulations and decrease the size of government to make life a little easier — here’s how.

This year, eight states utilized ALEC’s model policy to provide parents with the educational freedom to choose the school that best fits their son’s or daughter’s individual needs. Another 15 are expected to follow suit by 2025. More than 20 states followed ALEC policy recommendations to cut personal income taxes since 2021 with more on the way — enabling millions of Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Another 10 states choose to keep politics out of their state pensions with ALEC model policy ensuring that performance is the sole criteria for choosing an investment strategy. The ALEC Right to Work Act allows workers to choose if they want to support a union, and our publication “Rich States, Poor States” provides legislators with a path to economic prosperity.

The federal First Step Act — inspired by ALEC’s model policy implemented at the state level — has reduced recidivism rates. As Public Safety Solutions for America founder Ja’Ron Smith said, “It took almost 30 years for us to get to that place. Since the First Step Act has become law, we’ve reduced recidivism overwhelmingly. We learn a lot from ALEC’s leadership.”

In a nutshell, ALEC improves people’s lives by bringing lawmakers together to exchange ideas, share best practices, and learn from each other. And thanks to our public/private partnership, where legislators discuss real-world implications of bills with those their legislation affects, they can avoid any potential pitfalls that are often overlooked when rushing through the legislative process.

Distortions mischaracterizing these actions are a classic dodge employed when facts fail to prove a point. Another lie is that ALEC pushes abortion laws, which is easily proven false. You can see for yourself by reviewing ALEC model policies on our website — more than 900 in total and available to anyone with an internet connection.

The fact is that fewer taxes, fewer regulations and a smaller government make for a better life. Unless, of course, people secretly desire to pay more in taxes, have less say over their rights and long for a government that controls everything from their eating habits to their spending habits to their exercise habits and beyond.

Others have tried to duplicate ALEC’s success, and there are countless nonprofits operating within the continental U.S. with model policies they hope legislators adopt. Their success or failure is based on the quality of their ideas and nothing else. Claiming otherwise is just sour grapes.

So, when hearing wild accusations from progressive groups, take those accusations with a grain of salt. Look beyond the hyperbole, do your own research. You’ll discover that ALEC is an educational membership organization that provides trusted policy solutions for legislators looking to provide their constituents with more than a government handout.

Lisa B. Nelson is CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council.