Introduction
At the 2016 Indianapolis Annual Meeting, then Governor Pence who had just days before been selected as candidate Trump’s Vice-Presidential running mate declared, “I was for ALEC before ALEC was cool.” His message foreshadowed the forthcoming presidential administration’s focus on the states—on a government closer to the people. And from President Reagan onward, there has been no better partner to a Presidential administration looking to return power to the states than ALEC. For almost 45 years, ALEC has been the home for state legislators and public policies that sup- port limited government, free markets and federalism.
2017 was a great year for ALEC members and the policies they support. Three ALEC legislators declared their inten- tion to run for Congress (adjacent page), ALEC alumni were selected for key roles throughout the Trump administration, and a willing body of ALEC legislators stood ready to lead the charge in the states. ALEC members led on issues including tax reform (page eight), pension reform (page 12), occupational licensing (page 13) and campus free speech (page 14).
As the nation renews its focus on federalism, ALEC is ready to lead the way. ALEC members are more collaborative, more professional and more focused on what it means to be a legislator—service to one’s constituents, less government and more freedom. It’s for these reasons and many others that ALEC has become the premier free-market organization that provides elected officials with the resources they need to take ideas and transform them into effective policy.
Sincerely,
Lisa B. Nelson
Chief Executive Officer
American Legislative Exchange Council