Last updated on 2012.01.27
A commenter at Occupy Rapid City finds Sourcewatch's list of South Dakota legislators with ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council, the political organization used by corporations, including the Koch Brothers, to push their agenda in state legislatures.
South Dakota Legislators with ALEC Ties
House of Representatives
- Rep. Valentine Rausch (R-4), past ALEC State Chairman and International Relations Task Force member and alternate
- Rep. Lora Hubbel (R-11), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate
- Rep. Betty Olson (R-28B), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate
- Rep. Charles Hoffman (R-23), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate
- Rep. Mark K. Willadsen (R-11), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate
- Rep. Charles M. Turbiville (R-31), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member
- Rep. Kristin A. Conzet (R-32), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member
- Rep. Jacqueline Sly (R-33), ALEC Education Task Force Member
- Rep. Tad Perry (R-24), ALEC Education Task Force Member
- Rep. Kim Vanneman (R-26B) , ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member
- Rep. Jamie Boomgarden (R-17), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
- Rep. Manny Steele (R-12), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
- Rep. Phil Jensen (R-33), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
- Rep. Fred W. Romkema (R-31), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member
- Rep. Bob Deelstra (R-9), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member
- Rep. David Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member
- Rep. Hal Wick, (R-12) ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member
- Rep. Justin Cronin (R-23), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member
- Rep. Roger D. Solum (R-5), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member
- Rep. Brian Gosch (R-32), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
- Rep. Jon Hansen (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
- Rep. Roger W. Hunt (R-10), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
- Rep. Stacey V. Nelson (R-25), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
Senate
- Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), ALEC State Chairman and International Relations Task Force member
- Sen. Corey Brown (R-23), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate
- Sen. Jeffrey K. Haverly (R-35), ALEC International Relations Task Force Alternate
- Sen. Al R. Novstrup (R-3), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate
- Sen. Todd J. Schlekeway (R-11), ALEC Education Task Force Member
- Sen. Elizabeth Kraus (R-33), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
- Sen. Tim Rave (R-25), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
- Sen. Deb Peters (R-9), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member
- Sen. Tom Hansen (R-22), ALEC Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Member
Somewhat to my relief, I do not see either of my District 8 Republican legislators, Rep. Patricia Stricherz and Sen. Russell Olson, on this list. But if you see yours, feel free to ask them at your crackerbarrels for whom they work: the people of South Dakota, or the corporations that help pay for their swanky vacations.
Nearly a third of the SD Legislature is colonized by the Koch Empire. These are pathetic people.
Interesting reading. http://alecwatch.org/
Follow the money to the donors list.
Are legislators required to credit their source material?
I would like to see any legislation that is funded and written out of state be so noted in the record. You know, kind of like a bibliography in school.
So what is the expense to the legislator or the state to attend these functions? I would hope that each of these legislators will tell us who paid for their trip and how much of that could be considered a gift.
Where do the Democrats go to have people/companies write legislation for them?
Do you think we could get them to come to South Dakota? Think of the patriotic photo ops at Mt. Rushmore!
Jana,
There are multiple sources of legislation (conservative and liberal). And, I know it is "fun" to bash the other side's sources. But in the end, it is just another form of ad hominem attack- Don't attack the bill on its merits. Attack the source.
Frankly, I don't care about the source. If a SD legislator wants to introduce something that has worked/been passed in another state, I think that is good nobody has to always "reinvent the wheel." I'd rather see a bad liberal idea fail because of its merits and not because it poorly drafted.
I'm surprised and disappointed Jana the thrust of your arguments are the source. It isn't very intellectually vigorous.
Some prominent liberal interest groups include Democracy 21, Common Cause, Public Citizen, and alot of environmental groups. If Democrats don't access their work, it doesn't speak well of them.
Thanks for your comments Troy and at least I will attempt to not patronize. Just so you know, questioning the source of legislation is not "fun" and it's not bashing unless you think having serious concerns over undo influence is bashing.
And thanks for answering the question of other groups. I'll watch for their influence and money affecting state laws as well.
To infer ad hominem with "Don't attack the bill on its merits. Attack the source," seems to ignore what happens on this site everyday and the discussions of bills based on their merit. Rarely do I see ALEC or any orgainzation referenced in that discussion (unless it's Sibby and the Masonic, New World Order, etc variety or the frantic shrieks of George Soros, Saul Alinsky and Chicago style politics.)
Don't assume that the thrust of my, or anyone's arguments are centered on the source. But, your questioning and indignation that the source is not part of the discussion is intellectually lacking. So are you saying that we shouldn't follow the money when it comes to the laws that are being crafted for all of South Dakota?
We both know that there are a number of bills, like last year's immigration bill, that are pompously paraded out to pass a Republican purity test.
The source matters and should be a part of the discussion whether its Cheney's energy task force or Obama's healthcare advisory team.
I'm disappointed in your lack of interest in who is crafting/creating the laws of South Dakota and who stands to benefit.
Lastly, your comment: "Some prominent liberal interest groups include Democracy 21, Common Cause, Public Citizen, and alot of environmental groups. If Democrats don’t access their work, it doesn’t speak well of them."
Are you saying that our Democratic legislators should look outside of their constituents and the state to find legislation and new laws to inflict on South Dakota? (600 bills - and we're the state that's dominated by the party that promotes itself as standing for less government?!?) -Although I appreciate the Governor's effort to clean up red tape-
I'll leave you with this with regards to sourcing legislation:
"When big money has a role in shaping public policy behind the scenes, our democracy is at risk. Let’s hold our elected leaders accountable."
—Sherri Knuth, Minnesota League of Women Voters
These Legislators represent Koch and the other corporate entities who write this legislation, not their constituents. Many of them are paid to do this in one form or another. It's disgusting behavior which violates their oath of office and should get these Legislators recalled. But our political system has descended to such depths of criminality and depravity that Troy and others see nothing wrong with this.
Sorry I could have done a better job of alliteration with this sentence:
"We both know that there are a number of bills, like last year’s immigration bill, that are pompously paraded out to pass a Republican purity test."
How's this:
..."pathetically purloined and paid for proposed public policies that are pompously paraded and promoted to pass a party purity test." Sorry for not seeing that earlier.
Corey or Bill, any stylistic changes you would make to this?
Troy, just so we are clear, you said:
"I’m surprised and disappointed Jana the thrust of your arguments are the source. It isn’t very intellectually vigorous."
Were you trying to be patronizing or was this an ad hominem "attack?"
Totally unrelated to this discussion, and not directed at anyone in particular, I loved this quote about Newt Gingrich.
"He’s a stupid man’s idea of what a smart person sounds like."
Seriously Troy...totally unrelated. No ad hominem, no intellectually vigorous shallow here. Just a totally random aside.
So, back to there's no reason to question a source of where the funding and writing of South Dakota laws come from and if the citizens should have the chance to look behind the curtain.
According to some, I'm not very vigorous, intellectually speaking, so this post may seem...well you know...
Is it true that legislators that are ALEC members ($50 a year membership) get reimbursed $1900 for their trouble of going to a nice vacation spot?
Legislators often mention that a reason for the bill is a concern of their constituents. They should also disclose when the reason for the bill is ALEC and Koch Industry coupled to the RNC goals.
No one is safe when the legislature is in session.
Jana, perfect. Prefunctory, precise, petulently profuse and playful, yet profund.
Troy; those who minded missed your entire scope of message.
Run onto the sword of defeat with glee.
Who whistles last gleams the final head cock.
May your whistle last long and gleam much earspace....................
During last session, freshman legislators were encouraged to attend a cheese mixer where we were then encouraged to join ALEC. Can't say I will renew.
The bills I am bringing to address illegal immigration are taken, as much as possible, from the AZ law that was upheld by SCOTUS this last summer. The rest are all written 100% between LRC and myself.
How was the cheese, Stace?
I'm sure there are some Legislators out there who innocently sign up for Koch's Empire (ALEC) not knowing what it is. They need to resign from ALEC or from the Legislature.
@Bill I didn't get this big and ugly by being a picky eater. :-D It was pricey. If I had known then what I know now? Would have saved some money.
Yeah, we live and learn, right, Stace? Good answer.
Stace, I thought that SCOTUS wasn't hearing 1070 until this spring.
Jana, I think maybe Stace gets the words SCOTUS and SCROTUM mixed up sometimes. I know I do. ;^)
What has been the costs associated with these types of bills in Arizona, Georgia, Alabama?
If I'm not mistaken this type of bill also placed an extra burden on law enforcement and required expanded correctional facilities and officers.
Will there be money budgeted for legal challenges?
The legal bills are just the tip of the iceberg. http://newamericamedia.org/2011/01/how-much-do-anti-immigration-bills-cost.php
Excerpt:
"While Arizona’s immigration battles are far from over, it is possible to see how SB 1070 already has hurt the state’s pocketbook in a number of ways. The Center for American Progress found that the economic boycott of the state’s tourism and convention industry could result in a loss of $253 million in the state’s economic output and more than $86 million in lost wages over the next two to three years."
Now would it matter that this is largely ALEC inspired and funded and written by the private prison industry?
Jana, let's ust say that if I'm brown-skinned and this bill passes, I'm going to rethink my vacation plans to visit the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore. Okay, maybe not Mt. Rushmore... but for sure, the Corn Palace.
Papers please?
Jana,
"Ihre Papiere Bitte" has a much better ring to it. Of course, I don't know what the phrase would be in the original Klingon
@jana Different one, this is one from several years ago. Sorry, on blackberry, don't have it at all at my fingertips. The name was something close to Az Legal Right to Work Act (amended). SCOTUS upheld it circa May '11.
Hal Wick is the kingpin: a catholic with ties to the Koch empire.
Hubbel and the ALEC apparatchiks ram it into our Mother:
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20120129/NEWS/301290032
@Troy - take a good look at the SD Constitution. The preamble says something about an "INDEPENDENT" government. We are constitutionally bound to think and act INDEPENDENTLY. I take that to mean - wqe do not DEPEND on groups like ALEC to provide our laws for us.
insanity