Georgia Legislators with ALEC Ties

From the website:  www.ALECexposed.com these are some facts about ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council.  These are the folks who believe big corporations should have the same rights as citizens and that our elected officials should pass legislation to protect them, not us.  And, they can get them to do just that  - for a price.

About ALEC

ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our PRWatch.org site.

(click article headline for full story)

Legislator who has cut ties to ALEC:  Georgia

• Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) - In a statement to the citizens’ action group Better Georgia on April 17, 2012, Orrock denounced ALEC, calling it “radical,” “dangerous” and accused it of “impeding democracy.”^[1]

“As a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council for several years, having joined ALEC with the primary goal of better understanding the corporate-dominated organization, I know first-hand that ALEC is not the innocuous organization it claims to be,” Orrock said.^[1]

 

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} David Ferguson, Georgia lawmaker quits ALEC, calls it ‘radical’ group with ‘dangerous agenda’, Raw Story, April 17, 2012, accessed April 2012

Legislators currently with ties to ALEC:  Georgia

House of Representatives

• Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-24) ^[1]
• Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-177)^[2]
• Rep. Calvin Hill, Jr. (R-21), State Chairman,^[3][4] Communications and Technology Task Force^[5] and International Relations Task Force member^[6] and recipient of ALEC's 2011 State Chair of the Year Award^[7]
• Rep. Don L. Parsons (R-42); Communications and Technology Task Force^[8]
• Rep. David Casas (R-103); ALEC Education Task Force^[9]

(Gwinnett - Lilburn) He serves on the following committees for the Georgia State Assembly: Appropriations, Economic Development and Tourism (Vice Chairman), Education and Rules.^[1]

Casas is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and on their Education Task Force, as of July 2011 (the same month as the cell tower vote in DeKalb County by our Board of Education).
 

He won the ALEC 2008 Legislator of the Year Award.^[2][3]

• Rep. Doug Collins (R-27); Civil Justice Task Force Member ^[10]
• Rep. Edward H. Lindsey, Jr. (R-54); Fulton - Atlanta) Civil Justice Task Force ^[11] 
• Rep. Ed Setzler (R-35); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force ^[12]
• Rep. Larry E. O'Neal (R-146); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force^[13]

• Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-41)^[3]; Health and Human Services Task Force^[14]
• Rep. Ben L. Harbin (R-118); International Relations Task Force^[15]
• Rep. Gerald E. Greene (R-149); International Relations Task Force^[16]
• Rep. Josh S. Clark (R-98); International Relations Task Force^[17]
• Rep. Jack Murphy (R-27); Public Safety and Elections Task Force ^[18]
• Rep. Mark D. Hamilton (R-23); Public Safety and Elections Task Force^[19]
• Rep. Tom R. Rice (R-51)^[3]; Public Safety and Elections Task Force ^[18]
• Rep. Donna Sheldon (R-105)^[3]; Health and Human Services Task Force^[20]
• Rep. Judy Manning (R-32); Health and Human Services Task Force^[21]
• Rep. Lynn Smith (R-70); Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force^[22]
• Rep. Michael Harden (R-28); Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force^[23]
• Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-20)^[3]; Health and Human Services Task Force^[24]
• Rep. Howard R. Maxwell (R-17); Education Task Force^[25]
• Rep. Jan Jones (R-46); ALEC Education Task Force^[26]

Jan Jones is an elected state representative in the U.S. state of Georgia. She serves in the Georgia assembly, which meets in the Capitol building in Atlanta. Her constituents include some of the northern Atlanta suburbs in Georgia's 46th district including parts of Milton and parts of Roswell and Alpharetta. She is a Republican and is currently the majority Speaker Pro Tempore. While in the legislature, she has focused on several initiatives, most notably spearheading the creation of two north Fulton county cities, Milton and Johns Creek.  Outside the legislature, Representative Jones is a former marketing executive. While at HBO, she served as a marketing director for 6 years and as an auditor and analyst for 2 years.

• Rep. Charles E. Martin, Jr. (R-47); (Fulton - Alpharetta)Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force^[27]
• Rep. Kip Smith (R-129); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force ^[28]
• Rep. James W. Mills (R-25)^[3]; Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force^[29]
• Rep. Mike Dudgeon (R-24); Education Task Force^[30]
• Rep. Carl Rogers (R-26); Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force^[31]
• Rep. Terry England (R-108); Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force^[32]
• Rep. Paulette Rakestraw-Braddock (R-19); International Relations Task Force^[33]
• Rep. Billy S. Horne (R-71); Public Safety and Elections Task Force ^[18]
• Rep. Kevin Cooke (R-18); Public Safety and Elections Task Force ^[18]
• Rep. Lynne Riley (R-50); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force ^[12]
• Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-101); (Gwinnett) Communications and Technology Task Force^[34]
• Rep. Barry D. Loudermilk (R-14); Communications and Technology Task Force^[35]
• Rep. Amos Amerson (R-9)^[3]
• Rep. John Meadows (R-5)^[3]
• Rep. James Mills (R-25)^[3]

Senate

• Sen. Chip Pearson (R-51)^[36]
• Sen. Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-21),^[3][36] State Chairman,^[4] and recipient of ALEC's 2011 State Chair of the Year Award^[7]. Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member. ^[12]
• Former Sen. John Wiles (R-37), former State Chairman^[37]
• Sen. Don Balfour (R-9) ^[38]
• Sen. Jesse Stone (R-23); Civil Justice Task Force^[39]
• Sen. William Hamrick (R-30); Civil Justice Task Force ^[40]
• Sen. Renee Unterman (R-45)^[3]; Health and Human Services Task Force^[41]
• Sen. Judson Hill (R-32)^[3]; Health and Human Services Task Force^[42]
• Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-20); Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force^[43]
• Sen. Fran R. Millar (R-79); ALEC Education Task Force^[44]

First elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1998, Fran Millar is presently serving those in his district through membership on several House committees. He holds membership in the Health and Human Services, Rules, and Economic Development and Tourism Committees.  

 Millar is also presently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Education Committee.  In past years, Millar served as the Treasurer of the DeKalb Delegation.

• Sen. John E. Albers (R-56); Communications and Technology Task Force^[45]

Senator John Albers (born 1972), a Republican, represents Georgia District 56 in the State Senate. State Senate district 56 is located in North Fulton County and Southeast Cherokee County covering all of Roswell and Mountain Park and parts of the cities of: Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton and Woodstock, Georgia.

• Sen. Nan G. Orrock (D-36); Communications and Technology Task Force^[46] - Sen. Orrock announced she was cutting ties with and denounced ALEC on April 17, 2012.^[47] See Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
• Sen. Bill Heath (R-31); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force^[48]

• Sen. Jack Hill (R-4); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force^[49]
• Sen. Steve Gooch (R-51); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force^[50]
• Sen. Greg Goggans (R-7); Education Task Force^[51]
• Sen. Cecil P. Staton (R-18)^[3]; International Relations Task Force^[52]
• Sen. Ronnie W. Chance (R-16); International Relations Task Force^[53]
• Sen. Johnny Grant (R-25); Public Safety and Elections Task Force ^[18]
• Sen. Lee Hawkins (R-49)^[3]

Former Legislators

• Rep. Tom Graves (R-9),^[3] former member of ALEC's Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force^[54]; currently U.S. Rep. for Georgia^[55]

References

1. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Sourcebook, annual organizational publication, 1995
2. ↑ Mark Hatfield, About Mark, state senate campaign website, accessed July 23, 2012
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14} American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Robert C. Byrd and Nancy Pelosi RE: Federal health reform efforts, June 24, 2009
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} American Legislative Exchange Council, "ALEC State Chairmen, organization website, accessed April 2012
5. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
6. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, International and Federal Relations Task Force meeting and Federal Relations Working Group, meeting agenda and materials, August 4, 2011, on file with CMD
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} American Legislative Exchange Council, "Solutions for the States," 38th Annual Meeting agenda, on file with CMD, August 3-6, 2011
8. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force Membership Directory, August 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
9. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
10. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
11. ↑ organizational member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} American Legislative Exchange Council, organizational task force membership directory, June 30, 2011, p. 31, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
13. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/tax_35-daymailing_stfs2011_updated%20Ohio.pdf – Full Name and Address], Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
14. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
15. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
16. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
17. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4} American Legislative Exchange Council, Public Safety & Elections Task Force 2011 Spring Task Force Summit April 29, 2011 Minutes, organizational document, June 30, 2011, p. 5, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
19. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Public Safety Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
20. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
21. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
22. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
23. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
24. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
25. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
26. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
27. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
28. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
29. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
30. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
31. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
32. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
33. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
34. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
35. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
36. ↑ ^{36.0 36.1} American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid, RE: the EPA’s plan to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, March 10, 2010
37. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, State Chairmen, document exposed by the Center for Media and Democracy, July 13, 2011
38. ↑ DonBalfour.com, Meet Don, accessed March 19, 2012.
39. ↑ member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
40. ↑ member spreadsheet, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
41. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
42. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Health and Human Services Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
43. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Membership Directory, December 2010, obtained and released by Common Cause
44. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
45. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
46. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Communications and Technology Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
47. ↑ David Ferguson, Georgia lawmaker quits ALEC, calls it ‘radical’ group with ‘dangerous agenda’, Raw Story, April 17, 2012, accessed April 2012
48. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/tax_35-daymailing_stfs2011_updated%20Ohio.pdf – Full Name and Address], Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
49. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
50. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Director – Full Name and Address, organizational task force membership directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
51. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, Education Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
52. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
53. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Directory – Full Name and Address, International Relations Task Force Membership Directory, August 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause
54. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Inside ALEC, organizational newsletter, June 2012, on file with CMD
55. ↑ State of Georgia. Congressman Tom Graves. Government website. Accessed August 8, 2011.

You Are Hereby Notified: Ballot Question on Cell Towers July 31 - VOTE NO

VOTE NO!  VOTE NO!   VOTE NO!  VOTE NO!  VOTE NO!  

CALL FOR AND NOTICE OF DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA

JULY 31, 2012 SPECIAL NONBINDING ADVISORY REFERENDUM ELECTION

TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF DEKALB COUNTY.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED

that on the 31st day of July, 2012 (Tuesday) in conjunction with the General Primary Election, a special nonbinding advisory referendum will be held for the purpose of ascertaining whether the local or independent school system in DeKalb County or charter school should place or operate a telecommunications tower on any elementary, middle or high school property; to provide for procedures and requirements relating thereto; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes, submitting to the qualified voters of DeKalb County for their approval or rejection pursuant to the passage of House Bill 1299.

The ballots to be used at said election shall have written or printed thereon substantially the following:

[ ] YES  "Should the local or independent school system of               DeKalb County or a charter school  
               in DeKalb County place or operate a 
               telecommunications tower on any [ ] NO    elementary, middle, or high school property?"

All persons desiring to vote for approval of the question shall vote "Yes," and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of the question shall vote "No."

(GTCO-ATL NOTE:  In this question, the term "cell tower" has been replaced by "telecommunications tower" as an attempt to hide the truth of what exactly is being asked here.  Also, the question asks if the school system should place or operate a tower when it is really T-mobile that will be doing the placing and the operating. Either way, you should still vote no.  Towers like these are dangerous and prohibited from going in residential communities when the local ordinances are followed.  Don't let the question trick you into approving something that might be built right next to you or your neigbors!  These towers have nothing to do with education!!)

The last day to register to be eligible to vote in this referendum is July 2, 2012.

The referendum will be held in all the regular polling precincts and election districts of DeKalb County in conjunction with the General Primary Election. The polls will open at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM (Tuesday, July 31, 2012).

Those residents qualified to vote at said election shall be determined in all respects in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia.

This notice is given pursuant to the passage of House Bill 1299 by the Georgia General Assembly.

This 1st day of May, 2012

H. Maxine Daniels, Elections Supervisor

For: The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections

PLEASE PUBLISH: May 9, 2012; July 19, 2012 & July 26, 2012

MobileWise Issues Report to Protect Children

Click to read the new report from the U.K. to limit cell phone use in children.

This week MobileWise, a nonprofit organization located in the United Kingdom, released a new 47- page report: Mobile Phone Health Risks: The Case for Action to Protect Children. The report reviews research on cancer, damage to fertility and reproduction, damage to biological processes, and the vulnerability of children. It recommends that the new leaflets with clear concise cell phone safety information be widely distributed in schools, medical facilities, libraries, cell phone stores, and other public areas.

CEO Ellis Responds - States No Oversight or Authority Over the School System

6/28/11

Dear CEO Mr. Ellis,

We have been appalled at the lack of notice and impropoer notice that DeKalb County Schools has give us as parents to speak out against the proposed cell towers slated for 12 of our schools. We have not even been privy to the dollar amounts or the agreement terms. All meetings have been in secret for close to a year now while, just before Summer ends, the board will vote and they are expected to have zero input as far as public comments. 

We are assuming the school board will approve the towers, but we would like to know how do we stay involved when the issue goes to the next level?   How can we be informed when the Brockett Elementary School tower will be discussed for zoning so that we might finally have the chance to voice our concerns?

Thanks, Mr. Ellis, for your time.  We look fowrad to your reply,

C and P Miller

*****************

7/11/11

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Miller,

Your email has been received in the Office of CEO Burrell Ellis. Thank you for writing and sharing your concerns.

Regarding the DeKalb School System, this is a separate governing agency from county government, and CEO Ellis does not have any oversight or authority over the school system. Responses to your inquiries about the school system may be better addressed by one of the elected school board members or the acting school superintendent for DeKalb, Ms. Ramona Tyson. Contact information for the School System can be found at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/.

I hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Nina A. Hall | Special Assistant to

CEO Burrell Ellis, DeKalb County Government

330 W. Ponce de leon, Decatur, GA 30030
office: (404) 371-6304 | fax: (404) 371-6291 |

Email: nahall@dekalbcountyga.gov