/Users/andrea/_magisterarbeit/korpus/clean/trainkorpus/23/file_214.html NN ----------------------------------------- : Back RB to TO Table NN of IN Contents NNS Previous JJ Chapter NP Next NP Chapter NP Corporate NP America's NP Trojan NP Horse NP in IN the DT States NPS The DT Untold JJ Story NN Behind IN the DT American JJ Legislative JJ Exchange NP Council NP Chapter NP Two CD Corporate NP Dividinds NP Our PP$ members NNS join VV for IN the DT purpose NN of IN having VHG a DT seat NN at IN the DT table NN . SENT That IN s PP just RB what WP we PP do VVP , , that IN s PP the DT service NN we PP offer VVP . SENT The DT organization NN is VBZ supported VVN by IN money NN from IN the DT corporate JJ sector NN , , and CC , , by IN paying VVG to TO be VB members NNS , , corporations NNS are VBP allowed VVN the DT opportunity NN to TO sit VV down RP at IN the DT table NN and CC discuss VV the DT issues NNS that IN they PP have VHP an DT interest NN in IN . SENT Dennis NP Bartlett NP , , American NP Legislative JJ Exchange NP Council NP , , 1997 CD By IN nearly RB any DT standard NN , , ALEC NN s PP private JJ sector NN members NNS get VVP a DT big JJ bang NN for IN their PP$ bucks NNS . SENT For IN dues NNS that WDT reportedly RB range VVP from IN 1 CD , , 500 CD to TO 5 CD , , 000 CD on IN top NN of IN their PP$ annual JJ membership NN fees NNS , , ALEC NN s PP private JJ sector NN members NNS can MD buy VV a DT seat NN and CC a DT vote NN on IN one CD or CC more JJR of IN its PP$ ten CD standing NN task NN forces NNS , , which WDT cover VVP territory NN ranging VVG from IN civil JJ justice NN to TO trade NN and CC transportation NN issues NNS . SENT 2 CD In IN this DT way NN they PP can MD work VV to TO draft VV the DT legislation NN they PP want VVP , , have VHP it PP rubber NN stamped VVN by IN ALEC NN s PP membership NN , , and CC , , in IN most JJS cases NNS , , expect VVP to TO see VV the DT legislation NN introduced VVN in IN state NN legislatures NNS by IN sympathetic JJ lawmakers NNS . SENT ALEC NN s PP corporate JJ bylaws NNS spell VV out RP the DT organization NN s PP philosophy NN . SENT The DT purposes NNS and CC objectives NNS of IN ALEC NN shall MD be VB to TO work VV in IN cooperation NN with IN the DT private JJ sector NN to TO promote VV individual JJ liberty NN , , limited JJ government NN , , and CC free JJ enterprise NN . SENT ALEC NN s VVZ task NN forces NNS craft VV the DT organization NN s PP public JJ policy NN agenda NN its PP$ model NN legislation NN and CC issue NN positions NNS . SENT On IN each DT task NN force NN , , the DT private JJ sector NN representatives NNS have VHP an DT equal JJ vote NN with IN the DT state NN legislators NNS and CC effective JJ veto NN power NN over IN the DT task NN force VV s PP activities NNS and CC legislative JJ recommendations NNS . SENT Nothing NN can MD move VV out RP of IN the DT task NN force NN without IN agreement NN from IN its PP$ private JJ sector NN representatives NNS . SENT For IN ALEC NN s PP corporate JJ sponsors NNS , , a DT seat NN at IN the DT table NN on IN one CD or CC more JJR of IN its PP$ task NN forces NNS is VBZ the DT ideal JJ mechanism NN for IN pushing VVG model NN legislation NN favorable JJ to TO their PP$ interests NNS . SENT Consider VV , , as IN just RB one CD example NN , , ALEC NN s PP recent JJ work NN in IN the DT criminaljustice NN arena NN . SENT ALEC NN developed VVD model JJ criminal JJ justice NN policies NNS that WDT kept VVD criminals NNS off RP of IN our PP$ streets NNS for IN longer JJR periods NNS of IN time NN , , one CD of IN its PP$ recent JJ publications NNS notes NNS , , and CC allowed VVD private JJ industry NN to TO use VV its PP$ expertise NN to TO help VV states NNS meet VV their PP$ growing VVG incarceration NN needs NNS . SENT The DT publication NN goes VVZ on IN to TO point VV out RP that IN twenty CD eight CD states NNS have VHP authorized VVN the DT use NN of IN private JJ prisons NNS to TO house NN inmates NNS . SENT Is VBZ it PP any DT surprise NN that IN ALEC NN s PP Task NP Force NP on IN Criminal NP Justice NP has VHZ been VBN cochaired VVN by IN a DT representative NN of IN Corrections NNS Corporation NP of IN America NP , , the DT nation NN s VVZ largest JJS operator NN of IN private JJ prisons NNS . SENT Another DT active JJ private JJ sector NN participant NN in IN ALEC NN s PP Task NP Force NP on IN Criminal NP Justice NP is VBZ the DT National NP Association NP of IN Bail NP Insurance NP Companies NPS , , whose WP$ membership NN consists VVZ of IN the DT ten CD companies NNS that WDT write VVP the DT great JJ majority NN of IN court NN appearance NN bonds NNS in IN the DT United NP States NPS . SENT In IN a DT recent JJ brochure NN , , the DT association NN touts VVZ the DT ALEC NN connection NN as IN an DT essential JJ ingredient NN of IN NABIC NP s PP legislative JJ strategy NN . SENT The DT brochure NN lays VVZ bare JJ exactly RB how WRB surely RB and CC swiftly RB the DT pay NN to TO play VV arrangement NN has VHZ paid VVN off RP . SENT In IN 1995 CD , , within IN two CD years NNS of IN joining VVG ALEC NN , , the DT brochure NN points VVZ out RP , , a DT member NN of IN the DT NABIC NP Board NP sat VVD on IN the DT ALEC NN Board NP , , ALEC NN had VHD approved VVN several JJ model NN bills NNS in IN support NN of IN commercial JJ surety NN bail NN , , and CC , , furthermore RB , , had VHD completed VVN a DT study NN on IN the DT failure NN of IN government NN funded VVN pretrial JJ release NN programs NNS to TO be VB followed VVN by IN a DT similar JJ additional JJ study NN two CD years NNS later RBR , , in IN 1997 CD . SENT The DT brochure NN goes VVZ on IN to TO list NN , , among IN some DT of IN the DT tools NNS forged VVN by IN the DT ALEC NN NABIC JJ partnership NN , , four CD so RB called VVN model NN bills NNS , , including VVG The DT Uniform JJ Bail NP Act NP , , which WDT , , among IN other JJ things NNS , , would MD eliminate VV pretrial JJ release NN agencies NNS and CC create VV new JJ business NN for IN bail NN bondsmen NNS . SENT In IN addition NN , , the DT brochure NN notes NNS , , ALEC NN hammered VVN away RB with IN briefing NN papers NNS exposing VVG the DT wrongs NNS of IN pretrial JJ release NN , , the DT 10 CD percent NN deposit NN bail NN system NN , , and CC problems NNS with IN jail NN overcrowding NN . SENT Officials NNS of IN the DT association NN clearly RB feel VVP that IN their PP$ investment NN has VHZ paid VVN rich JJ dividends NNS . SENT For IN many JJ years NNS NABIC NP has VHZ given VVN considerable JJ financial JJ support NN to TO ALEC NN and CC to TO the DT ALEC NN Criminal NP Justice NP Task NP Force NP . SENT . SENT . SENT . SENT Through IN ALEC NN , , NABIC NP has VHZ had VHN a DT channel NN to TO express VV its PP$ interests NNS to TO a DT majority NN of IN the DT states NNS speakers NNS of IN the DT house NN and CC presidents NNS of IN the DT senate NN . SENT Nor CC , , by IN any DT means NNS , , are VBP the DT nation NN s PP bailcompanies VVZ alone RB . SENT An DT organization NN s PP willingness NN to TO cough VV up RP the DT requisite JJ task NN force NN fees NNS often RB seems VVZ to TO be VB the DT key JJ factor NN in IN ALEC NN s PP willingness NN to TO push VV a DT particular JJ cause NN . SENT Pay VV To TO Play NN Payoffs NNS Environmental NP Protection NP . SENT Virtually RB all PDT the DT model NN bills NNS bear VVP positive JJ sounding VVG names NNS but CC , , over IN the DT past JJ decade NN , , ALEC NN sponsored VVD legislation NN has VHZ tried VVN to TO weaken VV many JJ of IN our PP$ nation NN s PP environmental JJ protections NNS . SENT ALEC NN s PP inventory NN of IN model NN legislation NN includes VVZ such JJ measures NNS as IN The DT Environmental JJ Good JJ Samaritan NN Act NP , , the DT Environmental NP Literacy NN Improvement NP Act NP , , the DT Groundwater NP Protection NP Act NP , , and CC The DT Private NP Property NP Protection NP Act NP . SENT All PDT these DT measures NNS have VHP emanated VVN from IN ALEC NN s PP Task NP Force NP on IN Energy NP , , Environment NP , , Natural NP Resources NPS , , and CC Agriculture NP , , which WDT clearly RB knows VVZ , , as IN the DT saying NN goes VVZ , , on IN which WDT side VVP its PP$ bread NN is VBZ buttered VVN . SENT The DT best JJS chance NN we PP have VHP to TO improve VV the DT environment NN , , the DT task NN force VV s PP staff NN director NN said VVD on IN Earth NP Day NP 1998 CD , , is VBZ to TO break VV the DT stranglehold NN of IN the DT command NN and CC control NN policies NNS promoted VVN by IN the DT EPA NP and CC the DT extremist NN environmental JJ lobby NN . SENT 3 CD ALEC NN s PP model NN bills NNS and CC packets NNS of IN background NN information NN on IN key JJ issues NNS frequently RB shape VVP the DT discussion NN of IN proposed VVN state NN remedies NNS to TO environmental JJ problems NNS . SENT Moreover RB , , many JJ of IN the DT bills NNS appear VVP to TO protect VV major JJ polluters NNS and CC other JJ business NN interests NNS from IN environmental JJ regulation NN . SENT The DT ALEC NN task NN force NN that IN deals NNS with IN environmental JJ issues NNS pushes VVZ more JJR than IN two CD dozen NN pieces NNS of IN model NN legislation NN everything NN from IN resolutions NNS on IN biotechnology NN and CC environmental JJ justice NN to TO fill VV in IN the DT state NN bills NNS like IN the DT Common JJ Sense NN Scientific NP and CC Technical NP Evidence NN Act NP and CC the DT Waste NP Tire NP Abatement NN Act NP . SENT Typically RB , , the DT task NN force VV s PP private JJ sector NN members NNS write VVP the DT legislation NN that IN s PP up RB for IN discussion NN . SENT The DT legislative JJ and CC corporate JJ members NNS , , sitting VVG elbow NN to TO elbow NN around IN a DT table NN , , vote VV separately RB on IN each DT measure NN . SENT a DT majority NN on IN both DT sides NNS is VBZ needed VVN to TO approve VV model NN legislation NN . SENT Consequently RB , , the DT state NN legislators NNS cannot NN move NN anything NN out IN of IN a DT task NN force NN without IN the DT consent NN and CC formal JJ concurrence NN of IN most JJS of IN their PP$ privatesector NN counterparts NNS . SENT ALEC NN s PP board NN of IN directors NNS can MD veto VV a DT task NN force VV s PP decision NN but CC rarely RB does VVZ . SENT ALEC NN s PP Economic NP Impact NP Statement NN Act NP is VBZ a DT telling VVG example NN of IN its PP$ approach NN to TO environment NN related JJ legislation NN . SENT Little JJ wonder NN that WDT most JJS of IN the DT big JJ corporations NNS behind IN ALEC NN would MD love VV to TO see VV this DT one NN on IN the DT books NNS . SENT It PP would MD require VV state NN agencies NNS to TO produce VV detailed JJ economic JJ impact NN statements NNS for IN all DT existing JJ and CC proposed VVN environmental JJ regulations NNS . SENT ALEC NN says VVZ the DT draft NN legislation NN has VHZ been VBN designed VVN to TO provide VV environmental JJ protection NN while IN permitting VVG the DT creation NN of IN wealth NN through IN requiring VVG an DT economic JJ analysis NN of IN new JJ environmental JJ regulations NNS . SENT In IN truth NN , , the DT proposed VVN legislation NN seems VVZ little RB more JJR than IN a DT perversion NN of IN the DT 1969 CD National NP Environmental NP Policy NP Act NP , , which WDT mandates VVZ environmental JJ impact NN statements NNS for IN significant JJ federal JJ government NN actions NNS . SENT Environmental JJ activists NNS have VHP long RB used VVN the DT landmark JJ federal JJ law NN to TO promote VV the DT public JJ interest NN by IN halting VVG or CC delaying VVG potentially RB destructive JJ projects NNS . SENT now RB , , through IN ALEC NN s PP model JJ legislation NN , , corporate JJ special JJ interests NNS aim VVP to TO turn VV the DT tables NNS at IN the DT state NN level NN . SENT Although IN ALEC NN s NN self NN described VVD mission NN is VBZ to TO limit VV government NN , , here RB s PP a DT case NN where WRB it PP conveniently RB puts VVZ aside RP its PP$ principles NNS . SENT Agencies NNS or CC other JJ arms NNS of IN state NN governments NNS , , after IN all DT , , would MD have VH to TO generate VV all PDT those DT economic JJ impact NN statements NNS required VVN under IN its PP$ model NN legislation NN . SENT The DT New NP Mexico NP Fish NP and CC Game NP Department NP has VHZ estimated VVN , , for IN example NN , , that WDT it PP would MD need VV twenty CD additional JJ employees NNS , , at IN a DT cost NN of IN 1 CD . SENT 5 CD million CD a DT year NN , , to TO get VV the DT job NN done VVN . SENT The DT Environmental JJ Good JJ Samaritan NN Act NP is VBZ another DT piece NN of IN apple NN pie NN legislation NN , , at IN least JJS judging VVG from IN its PP$ title NN . SENT Borrowed VVN from IN Pennsylvania NP s PP Growing VVG Greener NP legislative JJ package NN , , which WDT was VBD adopted VVN at IN the DT end NN of IN 1999 CD , , it PP aims VVZ to TO give VV developers NNS immunity NN from IN prosecution NN under IN environmental JJ laws NNS while IN they PP are VBP cleaning VVG up RB land VV they PP polluted JJ . SENT Then RB there EX s PP ALEC NN s PP Environmental NP Audit NP Privilege NN and CC Qualified JJ Disclosure NN Act NP , , which WDT opponents NNS in IN some DT states NNS have VHP branded VVN the DT Polluter NN Protection NP Act NP . SENT This DT proposed VVN law NN puts VVZ the DT public NN s PP right RB to TO know VV about RB environmental JJ , , workplace NN , , and CC industrial JJ hazards NNS far RB behind IN protecting VVG the DT secrecy NN of IN polluters NNS and CC other JJ corporate JJ wrongdoers NNS . SENT State NN penalties NNS are VBP waived VVN for IN polluters NNS that WDT conduct VVP self NN audits NN and CC report VV their PP$ own JJ violations NNS of IN environmental JJ laws NNS , , and CC audit NN reports NNS are VBP sealed VVN as IN privileged JJ information NN . SENT ALEC NN s PP model JJ legislation NN was VBD reportedly RB drafted VVN by IN lawyers NNS for IN Coors NP Brewing NP Company NP . SENT In IN the DT early JJ 1990 CD s PP , , the DT company NN battled VVD the DT Colorado NP Public NP Health NP and CC Environment NP Department NP over IN smog NN forming VVG volatile JJ organic JJ compounds NNS VOCs NP emitted VVN by IN its PP$ brewery NN in IN Golden NP , , Colorado NP . SENT Although IN Coors NP and CC the DT state NN eventually RB settled VVD on IN 237 CD , , 000 CD in IN penalties NNS , , with IN Coors NP agreeing VVG to TO reduce VV the DT brewery NN s PP VOC NP emissions NNS by IN 200 CD , , 000 CD tons NNS a DT year NN , , the DT company NN apparently RB decided VVD to TO strike VV back RB , , through IN ALEC NN s PP model JJ bill NN . SENT As IN a DT high JJ ranking JJ EPA NP enforcement NN official NN put VVD it PP . SENT This DT is VBZ coming VVG from IN big JJ companies NNS that WDT have VHP been VBN targets NNS of IN enforcement NN action NN . SENT 4 CD And CC consider VV this DT final JJ case NN in IN point NN . SENT ALEC NN s PP Private NP Property NP Protection NP Act NP , , a DT bill NN that WDT , , if IN successful JJ , , ultimately RB could MD lead VV to TO the DT effective JJ dismantling VVG of IN such JJ broadly RB popular JJ environmental JJ protection NN laws NNS as IN the DT 1972 CD Clean NP Water NP Act NP , , the DT 1973 CD Endangered NP Species NPS Act NP , , and CC the DT 1990 CD Clean NP Air NP Act NP . SENT This DT piece NN of IN model NN legislation NN grew VVD out RP of IN an DT ALEC NN resolution NN that WDT expressed VVD the DT organization NN s PP opposition NN to TO any DT governmental JJ attempt NN at IN whatever WDT level NN and CC by IN whatever WDT means VVZ to TO confiscate VV , , reduce VV the DT value NN of IN , , or CC restrict VV the DT uses NNS of IN private JJ property NN unless IN to TO abate VV a DT public JJ nuisance NN affecting VVG the DT public JJ health NN and CC safety NN . SENT When WRB most JJS people NNS think VVP of IN the DT Fifth NP Amendment NP , , they PP think VVP of IN the DT clause NN that WDT confers VVZ on IN individuals NNS the DT right NN not RB to TO incriminate VV themselves PP . SENT But CC the DT Fifth NP Amendment NP also RB holds VVZ that IN No DT person NN shall MD be VB . SENT . SENT . SENT deprived VVN of IN life NN , , liberty NN , , or CC property NN without IN due JJ process NN of IN law NN , , nor CC shall MD private JJ property NN be VB taken VVN for IN public JJ use NN without IN just RB compensation NN . SENT Accordingly RB , , for IN example NN , , when WRB government NN condemns VVZ land NN for IN a DT highway NN or CC commercial JJ airport NN , , it PP must MD pay VV the DT owner NN fair JJ market NN value NN for IN his PP$ or CC her PP$ lost JJ property NN . SENT The DT U NP . SENT S NP . SENT Supreme NP Court NP has VHZ consistently RB upheld VVN a DT carefully RB limited JJ interpretation NN of IN this DT amendment NN , , designed VVN to TO protect VV the DT broad JJ public JJ interest NN . SENT Over IN the DT past JJ decade NN , , however RB , , real JJ estate NN developers NNS and CC others NNS pushed VVD a DT radical JJ reinterpretation NN of IN the DT Fifth NP Amendment NP as IN part NN of IN a DT wide JJ ranging VVG drive NN to TO eviscerate VV the DT land NN use NN aspects NNS of IN a DT generation NN of IN environmental JJ protection NN laws NNS . SENT They PP argue VVP that IN any DT government NN action NN a DT new JJ zoning NN law NN or CC wetlands NNS regulation NN , , for IN example NN , , or CC the DT adoption NN of IN a DT wildlife NN habitat NN preservation NN plan NN may MD constitute VV a DT taking NN for IN which WDT a DT property NN owner NN must MD be VB compensated VVN . SENT In IN California NP , , State NP Senator NP Raymond NP Haynes NP has VHZ sponsored VVN a DT veritable JJ slew NN of IN ALEC NN written VVN Private JJ Property NN Bills NNS over IN the DT years NNS . SENT Haynes NP , , who WP recently RB completed VVD a DT term NN as IN ALEC NN s PP national JJ chairman NN , , has VHZ been VBN amply RB rewarded VVN for IN his PP$ dedication NN to TO the DT organization NN . SENT He PP s PP been VBN on IN the DT receiving VVG end NN of IN numerous JJ ALEC NN paid VVN trips NNS , , including VVG a DT ten CD day NN trip NN to TO Australia NP in IN 1998 CD that WDT included VVD three CD days NNS on IN the DT shores NNS of IN the DT Great NP Barrier NP Reef NP , , where WRB , , Haynes NP later RBR admitted VVN , , little JJ work NN was VBD conducted VVN . SENT The DT purpose NN of IN the DT trip NN , , Haynes NP said VVD , , was VBD to TO set VV up RP an DT Australian JJ version NN of IN ALEC NN . SENT While IN on IN the DT trip NN , , Haynes NP found VVD himself PP staying VVG in IN a DT luxury NN hotel NN that WDT was VBD so RB expensive JJ he PP called VVD ALEC NN s PP headquarters NNS in IN Washington NP , , D NP . SENT C SYM . SENT , , to TO make VV sure JJ that IN it PP was VBD picking VVG up RP the DT tab NN , , which WDT came VVD to TO 1 CD , , 600 CD for IN six CD nights NNS . SENT It PP was VBD not RB a DT place NN I PP would MD have VH picked VVN , , but CC they PP picked VVD it PP , , Haynes NP later RBR told VVD a DT reporter NN for IN The DT Orange NP County NP R NP e SYM g NN i NP s NN t NN e SYM r NN . SENT So IN I PP didn NN t NN squawk VV all PDT that DT much JJ . SENT Far RB from IN squawking VVG , , in IN fact NN , , many JJ of IN ALEC NN s PP legislator NN members NNS appear VVP to TO be VB ready JJ , , willing JJ , , and CC able JJ to TO carry VV water NN , , whenever WRB needed VVN , , for IN the DT organization NN s PP corporate JJ underwriters NNS . SENT Electricity NN Restructuring NN . SENT In IN the DT mid JJ 1990 CD s PP , , many JJ states NNS restructured VVD their PP$ electric JJ power NN industries NNS with IN broad JJ support NN from IN the DT publicinterest JJS community NN . SENT But CC the DT efforts NNS of IN Enron NP Corporation NP to TO champion NN its PP$ vision NN of IN restructuring NN is VBZ a DT telling VVG example NN of IN the DT influence NN of IN major JJ corporations NNS over IN ALEC NN . SENT In IN pushing VVG for IN deregulation NN , , ALEC NN was VBD advancing VVG the DT cause NN of IN Enron NP and CC another DT of IN its PP$ largest JJS corporate JJ benefactors NNS , , Koch NP Industries NPS , , Inc NP . SENT In IN June NP 1996 CD , , ALEC NN s NN board NN of IN directors NNS approved VVD model NN legislation NN calling VVG for IN deregulation NN of IN the DT 220 CD billion CD industry NN , , and CC in IN November NP 1996 CD an DT ALEC NN task NN force NN , , meeting NN in IN Salt NP Lake NP City NP , , approved VVD the DT model NN legislation NN , , which WDT recommended VVD that DT states NNS open VVP their PP$ electric JJ utility NN markets NNS to TO competition NN by IN the DT year NN 2000 CD . SENT The DT corporate JJ members NNS of IN the DT task NN force NN that WDT took VVD up RP the DT issue NN , , however RB , , were VBD sharply RB divided VVN . SENT The DT side NN that WDT won VVD a DT coalition NN of IN private JJ energy NN companies NNS , , including VVG Enron NP and CC Koch NP Industries NPS , , and CC large JJ industrial JJ users NNS of IN electricity NN had VHD purchased VVN most JJS of IN the DT private JJ sector NN seats NNS on IN the DT task NN force NN . SENT The DT side NN that WDT lost VVD representatives NNS of IN investor NN owned VVN utilities NNS and CC their PP$ trade NN association NN , , the DT Edison NP Electric NP Institute NP walked VVD out RP of IN the DT session NN and CC later RBR renounced VVD their PP$ ALEC NN memberships NNS . SENT It PP s PP a DT situation NN where WRB you PP buy VVP a DT seat NN at IN the DT table NN and CC then RB you PP have VHP the DT opportunity NN to TO vote VV and CC drive VV policy NN , , EEI NP s PP Tim NP Kichline NP later RBR told VVD a DT reporter NN . SENT We PP don VV t NN have VHP enough JJ votes NNS . SENT If IN they PP are VBP going VVG to TO do VV something NN we PP like VVP , , they PP don VV t NN need VVP our PP$ votes NNS , , and CC if IN they PP are VBP going VVG to TO do VV something NN we PP do VVP not RB like VV , , we PP can MD t NN stop VV them PP . SENT 5 LS The DT following VVG August NP , , Kenneth NP Lay NP , , Enron NP s PP chairman NN and CC chief JJ executive JJ officer NN , , was VBD a DT keynoter NN at IN ALEC NN s PP annual JJ convention NN in IN New NP Orleans NP . SENT In IN a DT speech NN titled VVN Restructuring NN Competition NN . SENT . SENT . SENT Not RB Accommodation NN . SENT a DT pitched JJ battle NN cry NN for IN deregulation NN of IN the DT nation NN s PP energy NN industry NN Lay NP urged VVD the DT state NN legislators NNS to TO reject VV the DT calculated VVN machinations NNS of IN cozy JJ monopolists NNS and CC to TO open VV retail JJ electricity NN markets NNS with IN both DT haste NN and CC completeness NN . SENT State NN legislators NNS who WP attended VVD could MD connect VV the DT dots NNS , , concluding VVG that IN Lay NP s PP appearance NN had VHD something NN to TO do VV with IN the DT 20 CD , , 000 CD that IN Enron NP had VHD chipped VVN in RP to TO finance VV the DT meeting NN . SENT I PP didn NN t NN think VVP it PP was VBD a DT coincidence NN , , James NP Ports NP , , a DT lawmaker NN from IN Maryland NP , , told VVD a DT reporter NN . SENT 6 CD Tobacco NP . SENT As RB noted VVD earlier RBR , , the DT tobacco NN industry NN has VHZ been VBN one CD of IN ALEC NN s PP chief JJ underwriters NNS . SENT For IN many JJ years NNS the DT nation NN s PP major JJ tobacco NN companies NNS gave VVD ALEC NN more RBR than IN 200 CD , , 000 CD a DT year NN 7 CD , , sponsored VVN golf NN and CC tennis NN events NNS at IN ALEC NN meetings NNS all RB over IN the DT country NN , , and CC paid VVD some DT of IN its PP$ legal JJ bills NNS . SENT 8 CD In IN most JJS years NNS , , in IN fact NN , , the DT tobacco NN industry NN s PP contributions NNS to TO ALEC NN have VHP significantly RB eclipsed VVN the DT combined JJ dues NNS paid VVN by IN all DT state NN lawmakers NNS to TO be VB members NNS of IN the DT organization NN . SENT Through IN much RB of IN the DT 1980 CD s PP and CC 1990 CD s PP , , ALEC NN was VBD one CD of IN the DT tobacco NN industry NN s PP most RBS dependable JJ allies NNS on IN issues NNS big JJ and CC small JJ . SENT ALEC NN has VHZ frequently RB provided VVN Big NP Tobacco NP with IN support NN for IN the DT industry NN s PP advocacy NN activities NNS . SENT In IN 1987 CD , , for IN example NN , , professors NNS Bernard NP L NP . SENT Weinstein NP and CC Harold NP T NN . SENT Gross JJ of IN Southern NP Methodist NP University NP called VVD for IN the DT elimination NN of IN state NN excise NN taxes NNS such JJ as IN those DT levied VVD on IN purchases NNS of IN liquor NN , , gasoline NN , , and CC tobacco NN in IN an DT opinion NN piece NN for IN The DT New NP York NP Times NP . SENT The DT recommendation NN , , they PP wrote VVD , , was VBD drawn VVN from IN their PP$ recent JJ study NN for IN ALEC NN . SENT They PP did VVD not RB mention VV that IN the DT tobacco NN industry NN is VBZ a DT large JJ contributor NN to TO ALEC NN . SENT 9 CD In IN 1988 CD , , the DT tobacco NN industry NN financed VVN ALEC NN s PP annual JJ symposium NN on IN indoor JJ air NN pollution NN , , which WDT featured VVD its PP$ paid VVN experts NNS as IN speakers NNS . SENT Nonetheless RB , , Constance NP Heckman NP , , who WP was VBD ALEC NN s PP executive JJ director NN at IN the DT time NN , , told VVD a DT reporter NN for IN the DT Los NP Angeles NP Times NP that IN she PP saw VVD little JJ chance NN of IN conflict NN . SENT We PP are VBP conservative JJ . SENT we PP are VBP pro JJ business NN , , she PP was VBD quoted VVN as IN saying VVG . SENT They PP tobacco NN companies NNS don VV t NN change VV us PP . SENT They PP just RB compound VV our PP$ effectiveness NN on IN the DT issues NNS that IN we PP agree VVP on IN . SENT In IN 1990 CD , , ALEC NN gave VVD the DT tobacco NN industry NN valuable JJ ammunition NN by IN releasing VVG a DT report NN in IN which WDT it PP argued VVD that IN higher JJR excise NN taxes NNS , , the DT revenue NN raising VVG darlings NNS of IN states NNS , , are VBP often RB counterproductive JJ , , resulting VVG in IN lost VVN revenue NN , , businesses NNS , , and CC jobs NNS . SENT 10 CD The DT study NN found VVD that DT consumers NNS are VBP willing JJ to TO make VV the DT extra JJ effort NN to TO cross VV state NN borders NNS to TO avoid VV paying VVG higher JJR taxes NNS , , even RB if IN the DT resulting VVG savings NNS are VBP just RB for IN one CD type NN of IN item NN . SENT This DT study NN was VBD trotted VVN out RP for IN years NNS as IN state NN after IN state NN considered VVN increases NNS in IN cigarette NN taxes NNS . SENT Over IN the DT years NNS , , the DT tobacco NN industry NN has VHZ used VVN the DT congenial JJ atmosphere NN of IN ALEC NN meetings NNS to TO secure VV powerful JJ allies NNS in IN state NN legislatures NNS from IN coast NN to TO coast NN . SENT Consider VV the DT case NN of IN Jeffrey NP Coy NP , , a DT Pennsylvania NP state NN representative NN who WP , , while IN attending VVG ALEC NN s VVZ 1990 CD annual JJ meeting NN in IN Monterey NP , , California NP , , played VVD golf NN in IN an DT outing NN sponsored VVN by IN R NP . SENT J NP . SENT Reynolds NP Tobacco NP Company NP . SENT Coy NP was VBD the DT chief JJ sponsor NN of IN legislation NN that WDT would MD limit VV consumer NN suits NNS over IN defective JJ products NNS a DT bill NN that IN critics NNS have VHP said VVN is VBZ designed VVN to TO benefit VV tobacco NN interests NNS . SENT He PP told VVD a DT reporter NN for IN Gannett NP News NP Service NP that IN he PP saw VVD no DT appearance NN of IN a DT conflict NN of IN interest NN in IN playing VVG golf NN at IN the DT R NN . SENT J NP . SENT Reynolds NP outing NN , , noting VVG that IN the DT company NN was VBD a DT member NN of IN ALEC NN s PP Task NP Force NP on IN Product NP Liability NP . SENT Anyone NN who WP knows VVZ me PP well RB knows VVZ I PP play VV a DT lot NN of IN golf NN , , he PP said VVD . SENT I PP play VVP with IN a DT lot NN of IN different JJ people NNS with IN a DT lot NN of IN different JJ interests NNS . SENT At IN that DT tournament NN , , it PP s PP safe JJ to TO say VV , , the DT words NNS product NN liability NN were VBD never RB mentioned VVN . SENT Do VV tobacco NN companies NNS have VHP an DT interest NN in IN the DT bill NN . SENT Absolutely RB . SENT Are VBP they PP the DT only JJ companies NNS interested VVN in IN this DT bill NN . SENT Absolutely RB not RB . SENT Coy NP said VVD that IN he PP attended VVD the DT conference NN because IN it PP included VVD panel NN discussions NNS on IN product NN liability NN and CC tort NN reform NN . SENT I PP spent VVD a DT great JJ deal NN of IN time NN talking VVG to TO legislators NNS from IN other JJ states NNS about IN product NN liability NN and CC tort NN reform NN , , he PP said VVD . SENT 11 CD Golden NP Rule NP Insurance NP Company NP . SENT Golden NP Rule NP bills VVZ itself PP as IN the DT pioneer NN of IN Medical NP Savings NP Accounts NPS , , and CC over IN the DT years NNS ALEC NN has VHZ carried VVN water NN for IN the DT company NN in IN innumerable JJ ways NNS including VVG , , of IN course NN , , the DT development NN of IN model NN state NN legislation NN to TO promote VV MSAs NP . SENT J NP . SENT Patrick NP Rooney NP , , Golden NP Rule NP s PP chairman NN , , has VHZ long RB been VBN a DT member NN of IN ALEC NN s PP Private NP Enterprise NP Board NP . SENT In IN 1994 CD , , testifying VVG before IN the DT House NP Energy NP and CC Commerce NP Subcommittee NP on IN Oversight NP and CC Investigations NNS , , State NP Representative NP Mike NP H NP . SENT Coffman NP of IN Colorado NP said VVD ALEC NN played VVD an DT instrumental JJ role NN in IN helping VVG Golden NP Rule NP thwart VV his PP$ efforts NNS to TO reform VV the DT state NN s PP health NN insurance NN industry NN . SENT There EX seemed VVD to TO be VB a DT very RB close JJ linkage NN between IN Golden NP Rule NP and CC the DT American JJ Legislative JJ Exchange NP Council NP , , Coffman NP told VVD members NNS of IN the DT subcommittee NN . SENT The DT American JJ Legislative JJ Exchange NP Council NP participated VVD in IN the DT fight NN against IN my PP$ legislation NN by IN producing VVG position NN papers NNS that WDT were VBD word NN for IN word NN that IN of IN Golden NP Rule NP s PP and CC sent VVD them PP to TO legislators NNS prior JJ to TO key JJ votes NNS . SENT This DT greatly RB reinforced VVN Golden NP Rule NP s PP lobbying VVG capability NN against IN my PP$ reform NN efforts NNS . SENT 12 CD Texaco NP , , Inc NP . SENT Corporate JJ sponsorship NN of IN ALEC NN provides VVZ a DT company NN s PP top VVP executives NNS with IN a DT captive JJ audience NN of IN state NN legislators NNS and CC a DT convenient JJ public JJ relations NNS platform NN . SENT The DT American JJ people NNS need VVP someone NN in IN their PP$ corner NN to TO prevent VV the DT imposition NN of IN costly JJ and CC unnecessary JJ programs NNS and CC help VV strike VV an DT affordable JJ balance NN between IN environmental JJ needs NNS and CC affordable JJ energy NN , , James NP W NP . SENT Kinnear NP , , Texaco NP s PP president NN and CC chief JJ executive JJ officer NN , , told VVD ALEC NN s PP 1991 RB annual JJ meeting NN in IN Seattle NP . SENT He PP urged VVD legislators NNS , , in IN implementing VVG the DT 1990 CD Clean NP Air NP Act NP , , not RB to TO require VV the DT use NN of IN reformulated VVN , , less RBR polluting VVG gasoline NN . SENT Procter NP Gamble NP Company NP . SENT In IN 1990 CD , , with IN at IN least JJS fourteen NN states NNS considering VVG bans NNS on IN nondegradable JJ disposable JJ diapers NNS and CC five CD other JJ states NNS poised VVN to TO levy VV special JJ taxes NNS on IN disposable JJ diapers NNS , , ALEC NN loaned VVD one CD of IN its PP$ big JJ corporate JJ benefactors NNS the DT manufacturer NN of IN Pampers VVZ a DT little JJ help NN on IN the DT PR NP front NN . SENT This DT is VBZ the DT fad NN fringe NN issue NN of IN the DT year NN , , Jerry NP Taylor NP , , then RB ALEC NN s PP legislative JJ director NN , , told VVD Advertising NP Age NP . SENT Legislators NNS want VVP to TO make VV it PP look VV like IN they PP are VBP doing VVG something NN for IN the DT environment NN , , to TO solve VV the DT solid JJ waste NN crisis NN , , and CC diapers NNS are VBP an DT easy JJ target NN . SENT American NP Petroleum NP Institute NP , , Amoco NP Corporation NP , , Chevron NP Corporation NP , , ExxonMobil NP Corporation NP . SENT In IN 1990 CD , , when WRB North NP Carolina NP Attorney NP General NP Lacy NP Thornburg NP sought VVD to TO bar VV major JJ oil NN companies NNS from IN retailing NN gasoline NN in IN the DT state NN , , ALEC NN produced VVD a DT study NN for IN its PP$ funders NNS in IN the DT the DT industry NN that WDT said VVD Thornburg NP s PP plan VVP would MD be VB a DT recipe NN for IN higher JJR prices NNS and CC would MD cost VV consumers NNS 92 CD million CD more RBR each DT year NN . SENT In IN 1991 CD , , ALEC NN followed VVD up RP with IN a DT report NN that WDT was VBD sharply RB critical JJ of IN renewed JJ calls NNS for IN a DT windfall NN profits NNS tax NN on IN oil NN companies NNS . SENT The DT windfall NN profits NNS tax NN is VBZ nothing NN more JJR than IN a DT means NN of IN taking VVG income NN away RB from IN the DT private JJ sector NN for IN use NN by IN the DT public JJ sector NN , , the DT report NN said VVD . SENT It PP can MD be VB opposed VVN on IN the DT grounds NNS that WDT , , given VVN the DT way NN Washington NP wastes VVZ its PP$ revenues NNS , , the DT funds NNS would MD be VB better RBR used VVN in IN private JJ hands NNS . SENT Later RBR that DT year NN , , ALEC NN endorsed VVD the DT Marine NP Spill NN Response NP Corporation NP s PP push VVP for IN immunity NN for IN oil NN spill NN responders NNS . SENT At IN the DT time NN , , most RBS coastal JJ states NNS did VVD not RB allow VV spill NN responders NNS immunity NN from IN removal NN costs NNS or CC damages NNS . SENT The DT MSRC NP , , which WDT is VBZ financed VVN by IN major JJ oil NN companies NNS , , is VBZ lobbying VVG states NNS to TO adopt VV the DT federal JJ standard NN , , which WDT provides VVZ immunity NN unless IN the DT responder NN acts VVZ with IN gross JJ negligence NN or CC willful JJ misconduct NN . SENT American NP Nuclear NP Energy NP Council NP . SENT In IN 1992 CD , , the DT lobbying VVG arm NN of IN the DT nuclear JJ power NN industry NN now RB the DT Nuclear NP Energy NP Institute NP wrote VVD model NN state NN legislation NN , , which WDT ALEC NN then RB adopted VVD , , that WDT would MD have VH required VVN state NN utility NN commissions NNS to TO conduct VV rolling VVG prudency NN reviews NNS of IN nuclear JJ power NN plants NNS . SENT The DT nuclear JJ power NN companies NNS wanted VVD state NN utility NN commissions NNS to TO review VV the DT construction NN of IN nuclear JJ power NN plants NNS at IN various JJ stages NNS and CC to TO decide VV at IN each DT juncture NN whether IN the DT costs NNS could MD be VB passed VVN on RP to TO ratepayers NNS . SENT Such JJ reviews NNS were VBD typically RB conducted VVN only RB after IN construction NN had VHD been VBN completed VVN . SENT State NP public JJ utility NN commissions NNS had VHD generally RB refused VVN to TO allow VV utilities NNS to TO pass VV on IN to TO their PP$ customers NNS most RBS cost VVN overruns NNS on IN the DT construction NN of IN nuclear JJ power NN plants NNS . SENT As IN a DT result NN , , the DT shareholders NNS of IN nuclear JJ power NN companies NNS had VHD to TO absorb VV 15 CD billion CD in IN costs NNS that IN he PP companies NNS once RB assumed VVD would MD be VB added VVN to TO the DT electricity NN rate NN base NN . SENT Pharmaceutical NP Research NP and CC Manufacturers NPS of IN America NP . SENT Bayer NP Corporation NP , , GlaxoSmithKline NP . SENT Eli NP Lilly NP Company NP . SENT Merck NP Company NP , , Inc NP . SENT . SENT Pfizer NP , , Inc NP . SENT In IN 1993 CD , , ALEC NN helped VVD form VV the DT Coalition NP for IN Equal NP Access NP to TO Medicines NNS , , which WDT described VVD itself PP as IN an DT ad FW hoc FW volunteer NN organization NN . SENT Its PP$ mission NN . SENT to TO kill VV provisions NNS of IN the DT deficit NN reduction NN bill NN that WDT aimed VVD to TO encourage VV states NNS to TO establish VV lists NNS , , or CC formularies NNS , , of IN approved VVN Medicaid NP drugs NNS . SENT The DT Congressional NP Budget NP Office NP estimated VVD that DT formularies NNS would MD save VV the DT federal JJ government NN at IN least JJS 275 CD million CD over IN five CD years NNS . SENT States NNS expected VVN to TO save VV almost RB as RB much JJ . SENT According VVG to TO The DT New NP York NP Times NP 13 CD , , the DT coalition NN was VBD created VVN and CC financed VVN by IN the DT prescription NN drug NN industry NN . SENT Its PP$ organizing NN committee NN included VVD an DT officer NN of IN ALEC NN , , which WDT was VBD a DT member NN of IN the DT coalition NN . SENT Over IN the DT years NNS , , pharmaceutical JJ manufacturers NNS have VHP been VBN among IN ALEC NN s PP most RBS generous JJ corporate JJ benefactors NNS . SENT National NP Rifle NP Association NP . SENT In IN 1993 CD , , ALEC NN adopted VVD a DT resolution NN expressing VVG its PP$ opposition NN to TO a DT waiting VVG period NN to TO buy VV firearms NNS and CC a DT ban NN on IN semiautomatic JJ firearms NNS . SENT The DT administration NN and CC Congress NP should MD take VV a DT hard JJ look NN at IN ALEC NN s PP resolution NN , , James NP Baker NP , , the DT executive JJ director NN of IN the DT National NP Rifle NP Association NP s PP Institute NP for IN Legislative JJ Action NP , , said VVD . SENT The DT NRA NN is VBZ a DT longtime JJ funder NN of IN ALEC NN . SENT 2 LS . SENT Center NN for IN Policy NP Alternatives NNS report NN , , ALEC NN and CC the DT Extreme JJ Right NP Wing NP Agenda NP What WP Every DT Legislator NN Should MD Know NP 3 CD . SENT Washington NP Times NP , , April NP 23 CD , , 1998 CD , , Earth NP Day NP activists NNS fume NN over IN corporate JJ greenwashing NN 4 CD . SENT Governing VVG magazine NN , , June NP 1997 CD , , Can MD polluters NNS police VV themselves PP . SENT 5 LS . SENT Austin NP American NP Statesman NN , , Nov NP . SENT 2 CD , , 1997 CD , , Lawmakers NNS corporate JJ classmates NNS . SENT A DT lesson NN in IN access NN 6 CD . SENT Ibid NP 7 CD . SENT Boston NP Globe NP , , Aug NN . SENT 27 CD , , 1992 CD , , Tobacco NP group NN lines NNS up IN troops NNS for IN tax NN plan NN war NN 8 CD . SENT Los NP Angeles NP Times NP , , May NP 22 CD , , 1988 CD , , Big NP Tobacco NP buying VVG new JJ friendships NNS 9 CD . SENT New NP York NP Times NP , , Feb NN . SENT 22 CD , , 1987 CD , , Tax NP revision NN at IN the DT state NN level NN . SENT States NNS should MD follow VV the DT federal JJ cue NN 10 CD . SENT Los NP Angeles NP Times NP , , May NP 22 CD , , 1988 CD , , Big NP Tobacco NP buying VVG new JJ friendships NNS 11 CD . SENT Gannett NP News NP Service NP , , Sept NP . SENT 13 CD , , 1990 CD , , The DT good JJ life NN . SENT Franklin NP County NP lawmakers NNS expenses NNS detailed JJ 12 CD . SENT Federal NP News NP Service NP , , Aug NN . SENT 3 LS , , 1994 CD , , Prepared VVN statement NN to TO the DT House NP Energy NP and CC Commerce NP Subcommittee NP on IN Oversight NP and CC Investigations NNS 13 CD . SENT New NP York NP Times NP , , July NP 7 CD , , 1993 CD , , Drug NP industry NN musters VVZ a DT coalition NN to TO oppose VV a DT change NN in IN Medicaid NP Back RB to TO Table NN of IN Contents NNS Previous JJ Chapter NP Next NP Chapter NP