In the News: Media Highlights from the 53rd ALEC Annual Meeting

The 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) brought together state legislators, policy experts, industry leaders, and thought leaders in Orlando, Florida, for several days of collaboration and idea-sharing focused on advancing state-led solutions to the challenges facing communities nationwide. Media coverage from the meeting highlighted conversations on emerging technologies, economic competitiveness, veterans’ services, and innovative policies being considered by states across the country.

Spotlight on ALEC National Chair Representative Demi Busatta

Florida Politics reporter Ryan Nicol highlighted the leadership of ALEC National Chair and Florida State Rep. Demi Busatta, who hosted the Annual Meeting in her home state and welcomed legislators from across the country for conversations on the policy challenges and opportunities facing states. During the opening session, Busatta highlighted Florida’s leadership in areas such as education freedom and economic competitiveness, noting the state’s role as a model for other states pursuing innovative policy solutions.

“The lineup she assembled for Orlando helped spotlight the network’s national pull. Attendees heard from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, future Florida House Speaker Jennifer Canady, Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz, former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, economist Stephen Moore, and radio host Hugh Hewitt, who broadcast his show live from the conference floor for several days running.

Legislators also spent the week debating roughly ninety pieces of proposed model legislation spanning topics like AI’s role in health care, reforming Medicaid, watchdogging government spending and countering foreign influence. ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson and President and Chief Economist Jonathan Williams both helped steer the sessions alongside Busatta.”

Alabama veterans legislation as national model during ALEC meeting

In addition to broader policy conversations, the Annual Meeting generated coverage on specific state-led solutions being shared with legislators across the country. Among the meeting’s notable policy developments, Shelby County Reporter’s Dave Domescik wrote about Alabama State Rep. Kenneth Paschal’s presentation of legislation modeled after Alabama’s Veterans Resource Center Act (Act 2025-20) to ALEC’s Veterans & Military Affairs Task Force.

Drawing on Alabama’s collaborative approach to connecting veterans, transitioning service members, military families, and caregivers with available federal, state, local, and private resources, the proposal advanced through ALEC’s policy process for consideration as model policy.

“It was an honor to share our state’s experience and the early success of the Alabama Veterans Resource Center with the members of the Veterans & Military Affairs Task Force, and I appreciate their support in advancing this proposal for further consideration,” Paschal said.

During the Annual Meeting, the proposal advanced through ALEC’s policy process for consideration as model policy. Once adopted, the Veterans Resource Center Act will provide states with a framework for creating similar collaborative networks to better serve veterans and their families.

Florida lawmakers weigh AI data center expansion amid calls for more oversight

The Annual Meeting also served as a forum for lawmakers to discuss emerging technologies shaping the future of the states. Spectrum News’ Jason Lanning covered conversations surrounding artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centers, as policymakers explored how states can encourage investment and innovation while addressing community concerns.

State Rep. Danny Alvarez, R-Riverview, said Florida must act quickly to ensure it remains competitive while protecting individual freedoms.

“We as Americans have to figure out—and figure out quickly—how to balance AI, the data centers that supply that AI, and then the liberty and the freedom that we’re very, very used to. We can do both of those things at the same time,” Alvarez said.

ALEC panel discussion focuses on positives of data centers

The panel discussion at Annual Meeting was covered by The Center Square’s Christine Johnson, featuring economist Stephen Moore, NetChoice President and CEO Steve DelBianco, and Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt examining the economic impact of data centers and the importance of expanding the infrastructure needed to support America’s technological leadership.

Panelists emphasized that while data center development has raised questions about energy use, water consumption, and community impact, responsible growth can deliver significant economic benefits through investment, job creation, and increased tax revenue.

DelBianco argued that communities benefit when data centers are built thoughtfully and with local support.

“The actual experience of data centers done right creates massive amounts of jobs and taxes,” DelBianco said. “They don’t use significant amounts of water, none at all if the water’s not around, they cause electricity bills to go down, and their noise at the perimeter is of no consequence when it’s done right.”

Speakers also emphasized the importance of expanding America’s technological infrastructure amid global competition.

“We’re in an Indy 500 race against China to see who wins this race,” Moore said. “We have to win this just like we won the internet wars, but we can’t win it without building the infrastructure necessary.”

The discussions and coverage from ALEC’s 53rd Annual Meeting highlighted the breadth of issues facing states and the importance of policymakers coming together to share solutions. From improving services for veterans and supporting military families to preparing for emerging technologies and economic opportunities, legislators and policy experts demonstrated the value of state-led innovation and collaboration in addressing challenges facing communities across the country.