Legislators and corporate lobbyists meet in secret at Georgia resort

[mfcorey1]

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/local/investigations/2015/05/21/investigators-legislators-and-corporate-lobbyists-meet-in-secret-at-georgia-resort/27695105/

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WXIA) – The Georgia Legislature has a message for voters: don't ask us about our meetings with corporate lobbyists behind closed doors.

The 11Alive Investigators tracked lawmakers to a resort hotel in Savannah last week, where we observed state legislators and lobbyists mingling in the hotel bar the night before they gathered in private rooms to decide what new laws would best serve the corporations.

The meetings were part of the Spring Task Force Summit of the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC.

What is ALEC?

"It's really a corporate bill mill," said Sen. Nan Orrock, an Atlanta Democrat who has served in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly for years. "They're cranking out legislation, putting it into the hands of legislators who go back and file it."

Orrock would know. She was once a member of ALEC.

"The corporations that are there have equal standing with the legislators," Sen. Orrock said.

[johnnyreb]

1. Outstanding Job, Atlanta 11-Alive!! Must-Watch Video.

Holy crap, NAILED 'em to the wall. Caught the legislators and lobbyists at the resort, all RELAXED and settling in to luxury, and started asking Questions. When the relaxed and settling-in "Communications Director" can't stop stuttering in response to the Questions, he calls the !Sheriffs! over and... well you just have to watch the video.