ALEC loses Proctor & Gamble, faces IRS complaint
By Steve Frank
Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:22 PM EDT
Conservative group ALEC backs off legislation dealing with social issues, but it still has its hooks in legislation all around the country. The executive director of Color of Change, Rashad Robinson, joins Ed Schultz to discuss the small victory, and what else needs to be done to stop ALEC's influence (Apr. 17, 2012).
Not a good day for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Another big brand dumped the shadowy right-wing front group that's behind state legislation that promotes voter suppression and "stand your ground" gun laws.
Procter & Gamble will not rejoin ALEC this year, according to a statement issued today by Color Of Change, which had already convinced a dozen other corporations to pull out funding, including Coca-Cola and Kraft Foods.
And now ALEC also has a problem with the IRS.
Common Cause is challenging the tax-law status of ALEC as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charity, which lets ALEC avoid paying taxes and lets its supporters deduct their contributions.
The group's complaint to the Internal Revenue Service asserts that ALEC violates the tax rules that prohibit charitable organizations from engaging in a substantial amount of lobbying.
"Anybody looking at these materials knows that's a joke, and the IRS is not likely to find it humorous,'' said Common Cause lawyer Eric Havian.
ALEC called the complaint frivolous and false.
Ed will have an update on the campaign against ALEC tonight on The Ed Show at 8pET on MSNBC!
http://ed.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/23/11357566-alec-loses-proctor-gamble-faces-irs-complaint
DO SOMETHING!
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