Watching them:
August 17, 2011 by Todd Myers
A new, left-wing group called ALEC Exposed has popped up taking aim at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) noting that the organization brings legislators from across the country together to, surprise, exchange ideas about legislation. ALEC Exposed is also unhappy that businesses have a seat at the table during discussions.
Free-market think tanks also have a seat at ALEC's table. For instance, I sit on the Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force, a committee that offers ideas about how to harness free-market ideas to improve environmental sustainability. I don't agree with everything that comes out of the committee (I was one of only two "no" votes on a recent proposal before the committee), but there are several effective ideas discussed and formalized.
So desperate is Center for Media and Democracy, the group behind ALEC Exposed, to attack the group, it is clear they have decided that thinking (and proof reading) only slows their efforts to hatchet ALEC.
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/...
The Washington Policy Center bills itself as an "independent, non-partisan" think tank promoting sound public policy based on "free-market" solutions.
While adherents to the "free-market" ideology are primarily Republican, there are a a few Democratic defectors among prominent Republicans:
"Time and again I’ve turned to the experts at Washington Policy Center, who bring forward powerful ideas that are well reasoned and thoroughly researched. That’s what makes them such a great partner for me and for many leaders and policymakers in our state." - Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General (Republican, currently running for the WA State governorship.)
"Washington Policy Center plays a very significant role in forging public policy in Washington State." - Brian Sonntag, Washington State Auditor (Democrat, retiring from office, fortunately.)
"I know my office, and in particular the Legislative Committee on Economic Development, which I chair, have found your research from you Small Business Project very beneficial in developing our priorities to assist small businesses with economic development." - Brad Owen, Washington State Lieutenant Governor (Democrat who pulled off a number of anti-Democratic actions recently.)
"It is very refreshing to see my concerns as a small business owner reflected in your work. [You have] put the interests of small business on the radar." - Maralyn Chase, Washington State Senate (D-Edmonds) 32nd LD
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/...