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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 protecting Texans from the federal bill as soon as we are back in session."
Thirty-nine states have either filed or announced their intentions to file ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, model legislation that would ensure a patient's right to pay directly for medical care and prohibit an individual from being penalized for not purchasing health insurance. If passed by the Texas Legislature, the bill would provide Texas with protection in a constitutional challenge of the federal health reform bill.
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been enacted by the Virginia and Idaho legislatures, and Arizona’s measure will appear before voters on the November ballot. The legislation has also passed one chamber in Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee and is soon expected to be heard on the floor in Alabama, Kansas, and Michigan.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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State Legislators Last Line of Defense Against ObamaCare38 States Poised to Stop Federal Mandate at the State Line
March 22, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Today the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is accelerating its nationwide effort to block the federal requirement to purchase health insurance, a key component of the health reform bill passed last night by Congress.
Thirty-eight states have either filed or announced their intentions to file ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, model legislation that would ensure a patient's right to pay directly for medical care and prohibit an individual from being penalized for not purchasing health insurance. The Virginia and Idaho legislatures have already enacted the legislation, and the Arizona measure will appear on the November ballot.
"State legislators now have a 'deem and pass' maneuver of their own," said ALEC health task force director Christie Herrera, who is coordinating the nationwide effort. "Lawmakers in 38 states have deemed this federal health reform bill unconstitutional, and are now redoubling their efforts to pass legislation that would stop ObamaCare at the state line."
In addition to action in Virginia, Idaho, and Arizona, ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has also passed one legislative chamber in Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee and is soon expected to be heard on the floor in Alabama, Kansas, and Michigan.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org and a full statement of the American Legislative Exchange Council follows.
—30— Statement of the American Legislative Exchange Council on last night's passage of H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872:
March 20, 2010
"The American Legislative Council, the nation's largest nonpartisan membership association of state legislators, denounces the actions of Congressional leaders to force unconstitutional and untenable health care legislation on a nation that does not want it.
"From the unprecedented requirement to purchase private health insurance coverage, to the job-killing taxes on our businesses, to the budget-busting Medicaid expansion, this much is clear -- state lawmakers are the last line of defense to stop this legislation from trampling on our health care freedom.
"That's why more than three-fourths of the states have mobilized around ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, a move to ensure that residents can't be forced to purchase health insurance under fine or penalty. This model legislation, which has been enacted by the Virginia and Idaho legislatures, will provide states with protection in the wake of Congressional action.
"We recognize that states have the authority to protect the rights of their citizens against federal encroachment, and we fully expect a constitutional challenge that we can fight -- and win."
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
Idaho Enacts Health Care Freedom Act
March 12, 2010
Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Idaho became the second state (after Virginia) to enact legislation to protect their citizens from being forced to purchase health insurance or participate in any health care system against their will. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has identified 37 other states that have passed or introduced similar bills or have announced that they will introduce this legislation. Already, at least one house of the legislatures in Missouri, Tennessee, and Oklahoma have also passed such legislation, and Arizona's measure will be put before voters in 2010.
"House Bill 391a, 'The Idaho Health Freedom Act,' is not saying no to health care reform. In fact, it's the first step in saying yes to real health care reform in Idaho and providing Idahoans with what they want," said Idaho State Representative Jim Clark, the bill’s sponsor.
This bill and other state legislative initiatives are based on ALEC’s model Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. The Idaho legislation would shield the state from a federal requirement to purchase health insurance under fine or penalty.
"This bill sends a message that the State of Idaho will not be steamrolled by Washington politicians bent on taking away our health care freedoms," said Idaho Representative Raul Labrador, a co-sponsored the legislation. "If Congress passes a mandatory health care reform bill, the freedom act authorizes the State of Idaho to hire an attorney whose sole purpose will be to mount a legal challenge against federal interference with our medical decisions," added Labrador.
Idaho Representative Lynn M. Luker, also a co-sponsor, said "The state of Idaho joins with other citizens of our great nation to say 'enough,' and has backed its position with a firm policy and commitment to stand up for the liberty of its citizens by passage of the Idaho Health Freedom Act."
The Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been passed, filed or prefiled in 33 states—Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Lawmakers in an additional four states—Montana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Utah—have publicly announced their intentions to file the legislation. A citizen-led initiative has also been announced in Colorado.
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
State Legislators Ask Congress to Stop EPA
March 10, 2010
ALEC believes the EPA rule is at odds with economic growth and job creation, goals that should be the priorities of all national leaders. State leaders understand that the EPA rule would present significant challenges to state regulators and state economies as the regulation applies to a wide range and number of business entities.
While the EPA is attempting to delay implementation for small businesses, a majority of states would still be faced with state laws that more closely adhere to the Clean Air Act. The bureaucratic gridlock and economic slow-down likely to follow as state regulators and businesses struggle to comply cast a dark shadow over the future of employment in this country.
Indiana State Representative and Co-Chair of ALEC’s Natural Resources Task Force David Wolkins said, “ALEC calls on our national leaders to prioritize jobs and economic growth over zealous regulatory interests.” He continued, “The EPA rule is an attempt to skirt the national legislative process which to date has been more conscientious about the economic impacts of regulating greenhouse gases.”
A copy of the letter is available online at ALEC’s website, www.alec.org.
Virginia First State to Pass Health Care Freedom Act: 38 States Lining Up Against ObamaCare
March 4, 2010
Washington, D.C.— Today Virginia became the first state in the
nation to enact legislation to protect their citizens from being
forced to purchase health insurance or participate in any health care
system against their will. The American
Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has identified 37
other states that have similar bills pending or have announced that they
will introduce this legislation. Already, at least one house of the
legislatures in
These legislative initiatives are based on ALEC’s model Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. Under the legislation, any state attempt to require an individual to purchase health insurance—or forbid an individual from purchasing services outside of the required health care system—would be rendered unconstitutional. The measure may also cause a federalism clash if Congress passes a law with either of these provisions.
“Control over our own individual health care choices is something most Americans take very personally. It is not surprising that so many state legislators are eager to pass legislation to protect their constituents from any health care mandates, either from the state or federal government,” said Christie Herrera, director of ALEC’s Health and Human Services Task Force, which is coordinating the nationwide effort.
“It is urgent for states to take action and protect the liberty
of their citizens so they can direct their own health care in the way
they see fit. Our history proves it is economic freedom that helped us
reduce poverty and provide the good health care we have now.
Command-and-control mandates advance destructive behavior on many
levels,” said Kansas State Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook, sponsor of
SCR-1626,
The Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been filed or
prefiled in 33 states—Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Lawmakers in an additional four
states—
A complete map with links to the legislation in each state is available online at www.alec.org.
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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators.
State Legislators To President Obama:We Won’t Wait for Our Health
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2008 Press Release Archives (Adobe PDF File)
2009 Press Release Archives (Adobe PDF File)