Drawing on bills crafted by the council, on New Jersey legislation and dozens of e-mails by Christie staffers and others, The Star-Ledger found a pattern of similarities between ALEC’s proposals and several measures championed by the Christie administration. At least three bills, one executive order and one agency rule accomplish the same goals set out by ALEC using the same specific policies. In eight passages contained in those documents, New Jersey initiatives and ALEC proposals line up almost word for word. Two other Republican bills not pushed by the governor’s office are nearly identical to ALEC models.
ALEC gained wide attention last week when one of its bills — a "stand your ground" law that allows anyone who feels threatened to defend themselves with deadly force — became part of a national controversy over the shooting death of a 17-year-old Florida boy. New Jersey has no such law.
There is nothing illegal in what ALEC does or in using its bills, but critics say New Jersey officials are handing off a cardinal duty — do your own work — to a national group with unique ties to the business world. If they’re relying on templates, critics add, state officials should publicly acknowledge any work that they do not do themselves and the source of any proposals that aren’t their own, especially when that source has an agenda.
Christie’s spokesman, Michael Drewniak, said there is no connection between the efforts spearheaded by Christie and ALEC.
"Our reforms have no basis in anyone’s model legislation," Drewniak said. "The governor said to me, ‘Who’s ALEC?’"…
That's who Alec is.
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