#ncga: Even more ALEC-Jason Saine goodness
The Haymaker is EVERYWHERE, folks. I mean: EVERYWHERE. I was contacted yesterday by a very plugged-in source from our nation’s capital. This source was expressing some interest in our item about state Rep.Jason Saine and his big-spending re-election campaign in an off-year.
Many of the biggest expenses charged to the campaign appeared to be in San Diego, CA and Scottsdale, AZ right about the time meetings of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) were taking place. There was a meeting in San Diego in July 2015 and in Scottsdale in December. The Saine campaign was charged for airline tickets, in-flight wi-fi, in-flight snacks, baggage fees, hotels, and meals apparently related to those ALEC meetings.
My source found that unusual — since ALEC regularly reimburses legislators attending their conferences for “qualifying costs” which include things like travel and lodging. In fact, it’s stated here on one of ALEC’s 990 forms submitted to the IRS:
Yep. It says: “State Outreach — This program provides reimbursement for qualifying costs, principally travel and lodging of state legislators to attend various conferences and meetings of ALEC. […] ”
In fact, ALEC makes THIS NICE FORM available to legislators to fill out in order to obtain reimbursement.
Sooooo — did Mr. Saine forego reimbursement from ALEC of his expenses for the conference to, instead, have his campaign fund — filled with cash from lobbyists and others with business before the House — pick up the tab? Or is this a case of double-dipping — reimbursement from the campaign AND ALEC?
Those of us interested in good government would like to know.
Or is he trying to hide the fact that he went to those meetings and is just a puppet for ALEC?
I love the rest of that quote:
“Additionally, through this program, ALEC works to promote the development of legislative membership and participation in ALEC.”
Does this really need to be translated?: “Bribe”.
Would we have any legislation if it weren’t for ALEC?
ALEC started out as a conservative group, but has been under the thumb of the crony capitalists and corporate welfare rent seekers for some time.
One wonders if these financial shananigans of Jason In-Saine have been reported to the SBOE, the federal prosecutors, or state DA’s? The IRS might also find it amusing. It would be funny to watch this Obama Republican try to waddle the perp walk.
Meetings like this are very common for legislators to attend. Most are very good and allow the legislator to learn more in-depth on issues and talk to others state legislators who may have solved a problem in their state.
They are always paid for by the event. The legislators are totally reimbursed. Unless for some very odd reason Saine did not take the reimbursement, he needs to PROVE that. Because until he does, he is double dipping to line us own expensive pockets.
“They are always paid for by the event.”
You mean by the corporations and lobbyists that want access to them.