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Contact: Kaitlyn Buss Phone: 202-742-8526 Email: kbuss@alec.org
ALEC Condemns Florida State Supreme Court's Decision to Reject Amendment 9
September 2, 2010 Washington, D.C.—The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) condemns the Florida Supreme Court's decision yesterday to strike Amendment 9 from the November ballot. The amendment, modeled after ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, would position the state to wage additional challenges against the federal requirement to purchase health insurance, and would prohibit the state from enacting a state-level, Massachusetts-style mandate if the current federal law is ruled unconstitutional. The Florida Supreme Court’s ruling supports a lower circuit court decision to remove Amendment 9 from the state’s November ballot due to “misleading” language in the ballot’s summary. The state appealed this ruling, arguing to simply allow the original language of the entire amendment to be printed instead of the summary text. “Unfortunately, this judge has taken a technicality and used it to throw out what was a fair and constitutional amendment,” said State Representative Nancy Barto from Arizona. “Floridians will not be able to protect their freedom of choice in health care.” ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has been proposed in 42 states, and has already been enacted in statute form by Virginia, Idaho, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, and Missouri. Constitutional amendments will appear on the November ballot in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arizona, and an active citizen initiative is underway in Mississippi.
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation's largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators. www.alec.org
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Contact: Kaitlyn Buss Phone: 202-742-8526 Email: kbuss@alec.org
State Education Ranking Shows Vermont #1, South Carolina Last ALEC publishes 16th Edition of its Report Card on American Education
September 1, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released today its Report Card on American Education: K-12 State Performance, Progress, and Reform, a comprehensive overview of education achievement levels within the 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.). In its 16th edition, the Report Card ranks academic proficiency and education reform along rigorous standards, holding each state responsible for its transitions—whether positive or negative. It discusses what resources are being wasted, what students are being left behind, and what administrators, parents, and teachers can do make a difference in real education.
Authors Dr. Matthew Ladner, Andrew T. LeFevre, and Dan Lips rank
states based on student performance and their corresponding improvements
on the fourth- and eighth-grade reading and mathematics National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which are nationally
administered exams, with Vermont coming in first and South Carolina
last. The authors also graded each state (A to F) based on its education
reform policies including academic standards, school cho
Student Performance
State Grades
“Ensuring students receive a first-rate education isn't a matter of more money; it's a matter of policy. Spending more money on a broken system does not guarantee higher student achievement,” said Colorado State Sen. Nancy Spence, who co-chairs ALEC's Education Task Force. “When states are facing the largest budget deficits in recent memory, we need to focus on reforms that work. We can no longer throw more money at a failing system and expect change.”
“The design of the Report Card isn’t merely to show which state has had the best performing students. We wanted to give legislators the tools they need to fix their state’s education system.” said Ladner, one of the book’s authors. “This report highlights the most promising and effective reforms that will give all students access to an outstanding education.”
The report provides extensive information on different reform initiatives. The report is available to download online at www.alec.org/ReportCard. An interactive map is also available for easy viewing.
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation's largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators.
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Contact: Seth Cooper Email: scooper@alec.org
State Legislators Oppose FCC's Plans to Re-label and Regulate Internet
August 12, 2010
Washington, D.C.--The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) voices its opposition to plans by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change the status of broadband Internet Service from a lightly-regulated “information service” to a more heavily regulated “telecommunications service.”
At its meeting late last week, ALEC’s Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force approved its ALEC Broadband Regulation Resolution. The Resolution declares ALEC’s opposition to the FCC’s controversial plan to subject broadband Internet service to a handful of older monopoly-era telephone regulations.
Today the Resolution was delivered to the FCC along with a letter by Connecticut State Representative Bill Hamzy, who serves as Public Sector Chair of ALEC’s Telecom & IT Task Force. In the letter, the state legislator insists the agency should back off from its controversial plan to subject broadband Internet to heavier regulatory burdens.
“ALEC supports the continuation of federal policies that have kept the Internet free from government regulation. Marketplace freedom has encouraged the explosive growth of the Internet and e-commerce in recent years. It would be a grave mistake for the FCC to suddenly reverse course and saddle the Internet with burdensome new regulation. ALEC remains concerned that attempts by federal regulators to impose new restrictions on broadband Internet service will hurt technological innovation, deter private infrastructure investment, and threaten job growth in the states,” said Representative Hamzy.
As declared in the Resolution, “ALEC urges that the FCC, Congress and state regulatory and legislative bodies refocus their efforts on specific and limited initiatives targeted at ensuring that broadband service is made universally available and affordable to consumers, rejecting overly prescriptive regulations that would harm innovation, investment, and job growth.”
In January, over 90 other state legislators submitted a letter to the FCC opposing its plans to impose net neutrality regulation. In 2007, ALEC adopted a Resolution on Net Neutrality, opposing federal and state regulation of network management practices.
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Contact: Public Affairs Department Email: kbuss@alec.org
ALEC Applauds Missouri Passage of Health Care Act
August 4, 2010
Washington, DC--Last night, the state of Missouri voted to pass Proposition C, also known as the "Health Care Freedom Act," barring governments from requiring people to have health insurance. The measure conflicts with a key provision of the new federal health care law that requires people to have health insurance or pay fines by 2014. The proposition is modeled after the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, which has now been introduced or announced in 42 states. "The people of Missouri sent a clear message to the President and Congress: we don't want government-mandated health care," said Missouri Senator Jane Cunningham, ALEC board member and lead sponsor of the referendum. "Each individual vote on this proposition was an individual voice expressing frustration and disappointment with our federal government-we just hope the leadership in Washington hears this majority's voice," Cunningham added. The proposal passed the Missouri House and Senate with bipartisan support and then was placed on the August 3 primary ballot. The proposition brought controversy and led some within the state to bring a lawsuit disputing the state constitutionality of drafting such a proposal. Cole County Circuit Judge Paul Wilson dismissed the suit, and which opponents failed to appeal. "Proposition C will give Missourians the ultimate exit strategy at a time when Americans are faced with an unconstitutional federal requirement to purchase health insurance," said ALEC Health Task Force Director Christie Herrera, who is coordinating the nationwide effort. "It will give Missouri standing in the current lawsuit against the federal health law; allow Missouri to launch future, 10th-Amendment-based challenges against the federal government if the current lawsuit is thrown out of court; and empower the attorney general to take up the case of individuals harmed by the mandate," Herrera added. ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been enacted in statute form by the Virginia, Idaho, Arizona, Georgia, and Louisiana legislatures, and constitutional amendments will appear on the November ballot in Oklahoma, Arizona, and Florida. Active citizen initiatives are also underway in Colorado and Mississippi. A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org/focamap.
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Contact: Public Affairs Department Email: kbuss@alec.org
ALEC Decries Ruling to Remove Florida Amendment 9 from November Ballot
July 29, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Today, Circuit Court Judge James Shelfer removed Amendment 9—modeled after the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act now proposed in 42 states—from the November ballot. Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is expected to appeal to Florida’s Supreme Court.
“Judge Shelfer has put politics above the right of the people to make their own healthcare decisions,” said Christie Herrera, ALEC Health Task Force Director Christie Herrera, who is coordinating the nationwide legislative effort.
“Floridians deserve the chance to vote on Amendment 9 and protect their individual rights against excessive government power,” Herrera added.
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been enacted in statute form by the Virginia, Idaho, Arizona, Georgia, and Louisiana legislatures, and constitutional amendments will appear on the November ballot in Oklahoma, and Arizona. Active citizen initiatives are also underway in Colorado and Mississippi.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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Contact: Phone: 202-742-8526 Email: kbuss@alec.org
Louisiana Senate Passes Health Care Freedom Act Becomes first state with a Democrat legislature to oppose individual mandate
June 21, 2010
Washington, D.C.— Last Friday, June 18, 2010, Louisiana became the first state with a Democrat-controlled legislature to oppose a requirement to purchase health insurance—the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s health reform agenda. Louisiana House Bill 1474, which passed the Louisiana Senate with strong bipartisan support, will soon head to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk. The measure is modeled after the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act now introduced or announced in 42 states.
House Bill 1474, which was supported by 14 House Democrats and 12
Senate Democrats, states that “No resident of this state,
regardless of whether he has or is eligible for health insurance
coverage under any policy or program provided by or through his
employer, or a plan sponsored by the state or the federal government,
shall be required to obtain or maintain a policy of individual health
insurance coverage.” The measure faced a tough battle in the
Senate, where sponsors conceded to an amendment that may hamper
“Today,
“ALEC congratulates Representative Kirk Talbot, free-market think tank The Pelican Institute, and the Louisiana Grassroots Network for their work in rejecting an unconstitutional overreach into the health care decisions of Louisianans,” Herrera added.
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already
been enacted in statute form by the
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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Contact: Public Affairs Department Phone: 202-379-4386
Wisconsin Representative Phil Montgomery Announces His Retirement
May 7, 2010
Our good friend and colleague
Phil Montgomery, Wisconsin State representative and long time ALEC
member, has announced his retirement from the State Assembly on Friday,
May 7th. Phil will continue to serve his constituents and remain
on the ALEC Board until the completion of his legislative term which
will be the end of this year. He was first elected in 1998, from the 4th
Assembly District, which includes the villages of Allouez and
Ashwaubenon, and parts of the cities of
Phil’s outstanding leadership and initiative has been instrumental in making ALEC a better and more effective organization. It has been a great pleasure to serve with him on the ALEC Board of Directors and his wit and wisdom will be missed. We all wish him the very best in his future endeavors and hope that he will remain an active participant in ALEC.
Rep.
Montgomery statement on his retirement from the
“It has been by the grace of God, the support of my wife and children, and the overwhelming generosity and kindness of the citizenry of the 4th Assembly District that I have been able to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature for 12 years. To each of you I owe a debt of gratitude that is beyond measure and I tell you this because today I am announcing that I will not be seeking a 7th term in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
“My faith has been my
rock. In my first term my Pastor, Don Behrendt of
“My children Michael and Katherine were 9 and 6 when I first ran; they were dropping campaign literature when other kids were at the park.
“The people of Allouez,
Ashwaubenon, De Pere and
“I have often been asked how anyone can serve in public office these days, my answer is simple, it is the kindness of my constituents that has always been my fuel. I cannot count the times someone has come up to me in a grocery store, at a Packer Game or high school football game and said ‘I appreciate what you are doing.’
“My parents, Leona and Errett, raised me with a belief that we all are part of what makes this country great and that we each have a responsibility to work toward making it better.
“I hope in the end I am
remembered for protecting human life, working hard and for getting good
things done. Words fail me when I try to express my profound gratitude
to you all. God Bless, good luck and God Bless
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Legislators Urge Governors to Withdraw from Regional Climate Initiative
May 5, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Today, state Rep. Tom McMillin of Michigan introduced a resolution (H.R. 277) urging his state’s governor to withdraw Michigan from continued participation in the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA), an agreement among the region’s governors to reduce greenhouse gases through a regional cap-and-trade program.
The Accord has also been signed by governors in
Minnesota state Sen. Mike Jungbauer said, ““Few believe that reducing emissions among a handful of states will make any difference in global concentrations of greenhouse gases, and I wouldn’t ask Minnesota families to deal with the effects of such a detrimental political strategy aimed at pressuring Congress to act,” Sen. Jungbauer said. “This effort is only going to drag down our already struggling economy.”
MGGRA's advisory report calls for target reductions of 20 percent
below 2005 levels by 2020. This target is even more aggressive than the
17 percent target in the Waxman-Markey legislation adopted by the U.S.
House of Representatives last summer. That legislation was widely
criticized for the heavy economic burden it would place on American
families. A similar burden would be placed on families in MGGRA
participating states if a 20 percent target is pursued. It’s worth
noting that
For more information including state impact studies visit ALEC Regional Climate Initiative section of our website.
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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation's largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators.
Oklahoma, Georgia Send Health Care Freedom Act to Governor’s Desk Momentum Against ObamaCare Continues to Grow in the States
May 5, 2010
“The fallout from ObamaCare continues to fuel rebellion in the states,” said ALEC health task force director Christie Herrera, who is coordinating the nationwide effort.
“ALEC applauds
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already
been enacted in statute form by the
In addition to the
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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State Legislators Urge
April 30, 2010
“It’s disturbing to see our elected officials in Washington, DC, preparing to vote on yet another thousand-plus page bill that none of them will likely read” said Rep. Bill Hamzy (CT), public sector chair of ALEC’s Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force. “However, we hope that members of the U.S. Senate will at least realize the consequences of creating even more burdensome regulation. The Senate should preserve existing safeguards on FTC power and resist any amendments to the bill that will give it even more power.”
As the U.S. Senate considers S.3217, its 1,400 page “financial reform” bill, concerns exist that it will take up amendments to significantly increase the authority of the FTC. Legislation recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, H.4173, contains provisions expanding the authority of the FCC to unilaterally declare accepted business practices “unfair,” including longstanding retailer relationships that deliver free services to consumers.
The current process for FTC rulemaking is limited by the 35 year-old Magnuson-Moss Act. The Act’s procedural safeguards includes enhanced stakeholder participation, detailed evidentiary record requirements for the creation of new FTC rules, and enablement of judicial scrutiny of FTC rulemakings to ensure proper process and evidentiary support. However, provisions contained in S.3217 would undermine those safeguards and expand FTC authority, for instance, to ban broad categories of online advertising.
“ALEC believes that expanding the power of the FTC to regulate the consumer marketplace will harm consumers and the economy,” said Rep. Ed Emery (MO), also a member of ALEC’s Telecom & IT Task Force. “Now is not the time for increasing FTC regulations that will serve only to tie down the free market. The FTC already has adequate authority to adopt and enforce regulation, and it is particularly important to limit the powers given to so-called independent commissions that possess both rulemaking and enforcement powers.”
On Friday, April 23, ALEC’s Telecommunications
& Information Technology Task Force met in
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Florida Health Care Freedom Act Passes House and Senate
April 22, 2010
“Protecting the individual freedom for people to make their own health care decisions is a priority in the states,” said ALEC health task force director Christie Herrera, who is coordinating the nationwide effort. “The amount of support from state legislators and policy makers for this legislation has been tremendous,” she added.
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already
been enacted statutorily by the
Statutory measures have also passed one chamber each in
Constitutional amendments have passed one chamber in the
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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ALEC Statement on the Passing of Rep. Dale Van Vyven (OH)
April 16, 2010
Washington, D.C.—It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a great friend of ALEC, Dale Van Vyven, following complications from a respiratory illness. He was 74 years old.
From 1978 through 2000, Representative Van Vyven served as a member of the Ohio state legislature, where he chaired the House Health, Retirement and Aging Committee, beginning in 1995. After leaving the legislature, he became senior director at Governmental Policy Group, and was a member of the Ohio Retirement Study Council until his death. He also spent 30 years as a State Farm insurance agent and was president of the City Council in Sharonville, a suburb of Cincinnati. He was a distinguished and long time member of ALEC serving as a very active member of our Board of Directors and as our 1996 National Chairman.
Representative Van Vyven was a champion for fiscal responsibility in state spending.
"Our friend Dale also had a great sense of humor and warm personality that we will truly miss. His ALEC fundraising techniques were unmatched. Dale would charge an ALEC Board member $5 each time he saw them without their ALEC pin at an ALEC meeting, " recalled ALEC's Executive Director, Ron Scheberle.
The ALEC family sends Anne and her family our heartfelt appreciation for allowing Dale to be a part of our lives for so many years. Our sincere condolences go out to Anne on Dale’s passing.
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State Legislators Call Court Ruling A Win For Free And Open Internet
April 14, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exceeded its authority through a controversial 2008 order sanctioning the network management practices of an Internet Service Provider (ISP). In Comcast v. FCC, the Court vacated the FCC’s order that had purported to adopt an onerous "network neutrality" regulatory standard for ISPs. The Court also rejected several legal arguments advanced by the FCC to support its "ancillary authority" over the Internet.
"ALEC applauds the D.C. Circuit Court for holding the FCC accountable to the rule of law” said Rep. Bill Hamzy (CT), Public Sector Co-Chair of ALEC’s Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force. “The FCC’s order was an unprecedented attempt by government to patrol private broadband networks. The court’s ruling sweeps away the primary basis of the FCC’s power to implement its current proposal to impose network neutrality regulation on Internet. We hope the FCC will refocus its future efforts on transparency requirements and other less intrusive methods to preserve a free and open Internet. As state legislators, we are especially concerned about the potential adverse consequences that new federal Internet regulation will have on innovation, investment and job growth in our states. We believe that a free and open Internet is best guaranteed by continuing government ‘hands-off’ policies toward the Net."
In January, Rep. Hamzy and over 90 other state legislators submitted a letter to the FCC opposing its plans to impose net neutrality regulation. In 2007, ALEC adopted a Resolution on Net Neutrality, opposing federal and state regulation of network management practices.
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New Study Outlines the Road to Economic Recovery for States: Utah Still Leads, While New York Suffers
April 12, 2010
Washington, D.C.—As states face their toughest budgetary climates in a generation, the authors of a new report by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) point out what states should do to alleviate the fiscal pain, and also what they should avoid. The third edition of Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index shows how many states responded to the economic crisis with higher taxes, new spending, and more debt. Instead of continuing down this road to a financial meltdown, the authors outline the steps states can take to bring about economic recovery.
"Many state legislators across America are taking the wrong actions to improve their economies," said Indiana State Sen. Jim Buck, Chairman of ALEC's Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force. "As elected officials, we must be exceedingly vigilant to avoid tax increases, which would only prolong the current downturn for states."
Co-author and renowned economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer summarized the report’s findings when he said, "Tax and economic policies are essential to the competiveness of our states. Most actions being taken in state capitals today—and practically all actions from Washington, D.C. today—are flat-out wrong." Rich States, Poor States presents state economic outlook rankings based on public policies that have a proven impact on growth, revealing which states have the best chance of experiencing economic recovery, and which need to re-examine their policies before they can expect to see improvement.
Laffer and his co-authors, Stephen Moore, senior economics writer at The Wall Street Journal, and Jonathan Williams, director of ALEC’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force, analyzed how economic competitiveness drives income, population, and job growth in the states. They found that states with a high and rising tax burden are more likely to drive away individuals and business, while those with lower and falling tax burdens are more likely to attract businesses and create jobs.
"The tax-and-spend attitude in Washington, D.C. is making the problem far worse for states," Moore said. "Once the federal stimulus dollars dry up, only federal requirements will remain—and states will be left with bloated programs they are no longer able to afford."
Indeed, in pointing out the negative effects of expansive government policies, Rich States, Poor States highlights states that have lost population and business because of oppressive taxes and spending.
"The correlation between poor policy and poor economic results is indisputable, just look at California, New Jersey, and New York," Williams said. "Our research shows that states with responsible spending and competitive tax rates enjoy the best economic outlook. States do not enact changes in a vacuum – every time they increase the cost of doing business in their state, their state brand immediately loses value."
To read more about the state-to-state comparisons, see the individual state analysis, and view the full report, download it for free at www.alec.org.
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Health Insurance Guide for State Legislators ReleasedState-Based, Free Market Reforms that Will Work
April 5, 2010
Alexandria, VA—The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) have jointly released the "2010 State Legislators Guide to Health Insurance Solutions." This much-anticipated guide will help state legislators keep health insurance affordable while protecting and expanding consumer choices.
Copies of the guide -- now in its 8th edition -- have been distributed to every state legislator in the country. In it, we have summarized each issue, highlighted actions already taken by the states, and offered possible solutions. With newly passed federal health reform threatening to stifle innovation and competition, and many states gearing up for a constitutional battle, it is critical that we continue to promote sound, free market solutions that will improve consumer access to affordable health care. States, not the federal government, should be driving reform efforts.
"State legislators know that their voters are not looking for sound bites, but real solutions to America’s health insurance problems. The State Legislators' Guide provides solutions, but also explains what works, what doesn’t, and why. In partnership with ALEC, the guide even provides model legislative language in a number of areas so legislators can hit the ground running," said CAHI State Affairs Director J.P. Wieske, who, along with ALEC’s Health and Human Task Force Chair Christie Herrera, authored the guide.
The 2010 State Legislators Guide is available at www.cahi.org.
The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) is a research and advocacy association active in the individual, small group, HSA and senior markets. Since 1992, CAHI has been an advocate for market-oriented solutions to the problems in America’s health care system.
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Mason-Dixon Poll Finds Voters Oppose Use of Tax Dollars for BailALEC Calls on Florida Lawmakers to Pass SB 782 and HB 445
April 5, 2010
Washington, D.C.—The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) today released the findings of a recent Mason-Dixon poll showing that Florida voters strongly favor enacting a statewide law that would limit the use of their tax dollars to paying only for the release of indigent defendants who have been charged with a non-violent crime. Statewide, 71% supported limiting the use of tax dollars, while 22% were opposed and 7% were undecided.
Currently, the Florida Legislature is considering Senate Bill 782 by Senator John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine) and House Bill 445 by Representative Chris Dorworth (R-Lake Mary), pertaining to changing Florida Statute, as it relates to the government-run pretrial release programs. SB 782 and HB 445 requires that the defendant meet certain specified criteria in order to be eligible for pretrial release; narrows who is eligible for taxpayer-funded pretrial services/release programs; and moves more criminal offenders to a private, regulated and licensed bail system, while still allowing for the continued use of pretrial programs for non-violent, first-time, non-dangerous indigent offenders.
ALEC has made reforming government-run bail a priority and believes this legislation will benefit Floridians.
Support for the measure has widened to the Florida’s voters, as by the Mason-Dixon poll:
ALEC’s Public Safety Task Force Director Michael Hough said, “It is clear that taxpayers do not want to be left on the hook to pay the bill for releasing potentially dangerous criminals from jail. Pretrial release agencies should strictly serve the indigent, and commercial bail does a better job of protecting the public from dangerous criminals, while saving taxpayer dollars.”
The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of Washington, D.C. from March 23, 2010, through March 25, 2010, with a total of 625 registered Florida voters. The margin of error is no more than plus or minus 4 percentage points.
View the results of the poll.
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Delaware Now 41st State to Defend Health Care Choice
March 31, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Delaware has just become the 41st state where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. Delaware House Bill No. 353 prohibits a requirement for individuals to purchase health insurance and would provide the state with protection in a constitutional challenge of the federal health reform bill.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Deborah Hudson, House Minority Leader Rep. Richard Cathcart, Rep. Ruth Briggs King, Rep. Gerald Hocker, Rep. Greg Lavelle, Rep. Daniel Short, Rep. George Carey, Rep. Thomas Kovach, Rep. Clifford Lee, Rep. William Oberle, Rep. William Outten, Rep. Mike Ramone, Rep. David Wilson, State Senator Gary Simpson, and State Senator Colin Bonini.
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been enacted by the Virginia and Idaho legislatures, and measures in Oklahoma and Arizona will appear before voters on the November ballot. The legislation has also passed one chamber in Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee and is accelerating in Florida and elsewhere.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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Illinois Is 40th State to Defend Health Care Choice; Oklahoma Health Freedom Bill Poised for Ballot
March 26, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Illinois became the 40th state where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. Illinois House Bill 6842 prohibits a requirement to purchase health insurance and would provide the state with protection in a constitutional challenge of the federal health reform bill.
The Oklahoma Senate also gave preliminary approval Tuesday for House Joint Resolution 1054—a constitutional amendment protecting a patient’s right to pay directly for medical care, and prohibiting penalties for failing to purchase health insurance—to appear before voters on the November ballot. The resolution passed with strong bipartisan support, with 20 Oklahoma House Democrats and 11 Oklahoma Senate Democrats backing the legislation.
“In order to fix a few problems with one of the best health care systems in the world, the President and Congressional leaders are essentially wrecking a car that needs a tune-up,” said Oklahoma Representative Mike Ritze, sponsor of HJR 1054.
“Oklahomans are happy with the current system and want no part of the new one. This legislation will help them send that message to the federal government,” Ritze added.
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been enacted by the Virginia and Idaho legislatures, and measures in Oklahoma and Arizona will appear before voters on the November ballot. The legislation has also passed one chamber in Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee and is accelerating in Florida and elsewhere.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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Texas Is 39th State to Defend Health Care ChoiceState Legislators Vow to Protect Citizens from ObamaCare
March 22, 2010
Washington, D.C.—The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation’s largest individual membership association of state legislators, today congratulates Texas Representative Bryan Hughes for announcing his intention to file legislation to protect Texans from a federal requirement to purchase health insurance. Texas now becomes the 39th state where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.
"The bill that passed last night is a radical departure from the role of government our founders put in the Constitution," said Hughes. "There is no question that it will lead to increased taxes, fewer health care options, and more government control of our most basic personal decisions. For these reasons and so many others, I will file legislation Related Files
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