Once upon a time, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) used backroom deal-making to connect state policymakers with corporate lobbyists who held regressive model legislation in one hand and campaign donations in the other. But ever since ALEC’s “business model” was exposed for the world to see, that’s started to change.
Now there’s a progressive alternative called ALICE: the American Legislative and Issue Campaign Exchange. ALICE is a public library of progressive state and local legislation written by citizens – including professors, students, activists, researchers and others – that pulls together both “exemplary” laws (those introduced or enacted somewhere and worthy of replication) as well as “model” laws (those with suggested general language, ready to be tailored to a particular jurisdiction). There’s also background research, talking points, and other aids for effective communication about them.
Unlike ALEC, ALICE is no corporate-funded juggernaut – and doesn’t aspire to be one. It’s on open and transparent resource for all who are interested in what’s best about progressive policy. The site is just getting started and still evolving – take a look at: www.alicelaw.org.
