Tampa Tribune: Democrats say GOP lawmakers passing bills (some from ALEC) to grab more power

[highplainsdem]

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/may/02/democrats-say-gop-lawmakers-passing-bills-to-grab--ar-203648/

Democrats say GOP lawmakers passing bills to grab more power
By WILLIAM MARCH | The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 02, 2011

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Armed with veto-proof majorities, Republican legislative leaders are passing one bill after another that appears aimed at maintaining their own political dominance and undercutting Democratic voting strength.

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The moves, said Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston, are "part of a nationwide effort … to alter the electorate when we get to the presidential election of 2012," in which Florida could easily decide the race.

Rich contended some of the legislation is inspired by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative, industry-funded advocacy group that holds conferences for legislators and proposes model state laws.

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A spokeswoman for the council said Friday she wasn't able to discuss whether her group was involved in the legislation, and referred questions to Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, its Florida state chairman. He couldn't be reached for comment.

-snip-

So ALEC is still trying to deny its involvement. But there's entirely too much evidence that this is part of a national campaign by ALEC, and it's good that Democrats are identifying it as such and newspapers are starting to report on this.

The article also mentions that state Rep. Dennis Baxley, an ALEC member, denied this had anything to do with ALEC, but couldn't explain how a bill he sponsored was so suddenly expanded, growing "almost overnight from 14 to 157 pages after the House State Affairs Committee substituted a committee-sponsored bill for his original proposal."

You'll find more information in the compilation topic on the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) about this legislation designed to suppress voting, and other harmful legislation ALEC is behind.

[AndyTiedye]

1. They are Doing This in Every State They Control

The only way they can win is to suppress or steal millions of Democratic votes,
so that is what they intend to do.

[highplainsdem]

3. Yes. Thanks to ALEC they had the legislation and legislator-puppets ready.

[AndyTiedye]

5. It is a Very Serious Problem, and Could Cost us the 2012 Election

...and perhaps all future elections.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1012123

[lonestarnot]

2. Insidious cancer.

[PATRICK]

4. ALEC

has been doing this for some time. I discovered the hierarchy and structure of RW GOP organizations through heartland.org years ago. It was apparent that ALEC was in particular responsible for legislative policy. As it was rarely mentioned I almost thought my first impression too exaggerated. ALL of the horrific goals for education, laws, etc. are exactly as they were then always becoming more empowered and closer to realization. The system of constant cycling GOP pols through multiple corporate boards on these orgs gave them job security beyond politics and the business sectors.

[ChiciB1]

6. It Really SUCKS, & I Who Live In Florida Won't Be Able To Escape WHATEVER

the REPUKES here want to do! Not with the "alien looking" Rick Scott in power! Even IF people have turned against him, he can't be recalled! I KNOW people think that state officials can be recalled here, and there has been a bill presented... but seriously folks I doubt it will ever get passed in Tallahassee!

My grandson goes to school at FSU and walks among the REPUKES there, he laments about this all the time! We are a left of center family, and I as the mother of two children taught both of mine certain VALUES are extremely important. I urge them ALL THE TIME, that we should always question people in power, even if Democrats are part of those that do wrong.

Looking the other way should never be acceptable!

[PATRICK]

7. The point way back then

was that people should have been seriously considering the stated agendas of these organizations which are way way pre-Tea Party. The agenda is not just open book but the unbelievable extremism is just par for the course.

[DirkGently]

8. Absolutely they are.