
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A state lawmaker who quit the American Legislative Exchange Council says the conservative group is pushing cookie-cutter bills in Nebraska.
State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said Wednesday that the national group hasn’t gained much traction. But Conrad, a Democrat, says she has seen a number of measures written by ALEC and introduced by Republican lawmakers in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.
Most of the bills have died in committee, including a voter identification measure. The group Bold Nebraska says ALEC also advocated for the Keystone XL pipeline, which some Nebraska landowners oppose.
ALEC describes itself as a free-market, small-government think tank that works with state lawmakers.
Conrad spoke about the group during a media conference call organized by Americans United for Change, a liberal advocacy group.