Blog Post

Who Still Funds ALEC?

Here are some of the corporations that still put their money behind ALEC, despite widespread criticism of the organization for its secretive operations and controversial agenda, and increasing calls from shareholders for more transparency about corporate lobbying activities.

UPDATED on June 11, 2020

Over the last decade, some of the largest corporations in the world have cut ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Given the number of corporations who have decided to cut ties with ALEC – including AT&T, Verizon, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, eBay, Walmart, McDonalds, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kraft, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Microsoft, and Ford Motor Company – you may be wondering: who still funds ALEC?

Here are some of the corporations that still put their money behind ALEC, despite widespread criticism of the organization for its secretive operations and controversial agenda, and increasing calls from shareholders for more transparency about corporate lobbying activities.

BIG FOSSIL FUEL & ENERGY COMPANIES

Although some of the biggest fossil fuel companies, including ExxonMobil, BP, and Shell, have left, ALEC still enjoys support from large fossil fuel and energy companies, including Chevron, Duke Energy, American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Peabody Energy, Vistra Energy, and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers.

BIG PHARMA

Many pharmaceutical and health insurance companies remain in ALEC, including Pfizer, Bayer, Novartis, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, Alkermes, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

BIG TOBACCO & ALCOHOL COMPANIES

Big tobacco corporations Altria (formerly Phillip Morris) and Reynolds American are two of ALEC’s biggest historic funders and longtime members. Anheuser-Busch is also a member and funder of ALEC, while MillerCoors cut ties with the organization in 2012.

THE KOCH NETWORK

Not surprisingly, Koch Industries, Americans for Prosperity, the Koch family foundations, and many other Koch-funded groups have been longtime members and funders of ALEC.

TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES

ALEC member shipping, railroad, and transportation companies include UPS, FedEx, Transurban, BNSF Railroad, and Norfolk Southern.

TELECOM INDUSTRY

While several big telecom and tech companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Google have left ALEC, Charter Communications and CenturyLink remain members.

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