Kansas taxpayers to reimburse Republican state house reps who attended ALEC convention

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http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/dec/04/kansas-lawmakers-attend-alec-meeting-dc/

Kansas lawmakers attend ALEC meeting in D.C.

By Peter Hancock

December 4, 2014

TOPEKA — At least 18 members of the Kansas House of Representatives, including the two top leaders of the Kansas House and Senate, have been in Washington, D.C., this week attending a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative political organization that is largely funded by corporations and that drafts model pro-business legislation for state legislatures.

ALEC's annual policy summit began Wednesday and continues through Friday. That's a gathering for the benefit of state legislators, most of whom will soon begin their 2015 sessions.

House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stillwell, and Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, both serve on ALEC's executive committee. Spokespeople in their offices confirmed that both have attended at least part of the convention.

Both are eligible to have their expenses reimbursed by the state when they attend. An official in the Legislative Administrative Services office said their expenses won't be known until they return and submits his receipts for reimbursement.