Common Cause Challenges ALEC's Tax Status

A government watchdog group is challenging the tax-exempt status of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a national group that's active in state legislatures across the country. Common Cause of Kentucky Chairman Richard Beliles is asking Attorney General Jack Conway to review whether the group should be taxed in Kentucky. Beliles' action comes on the heels of a national-level initiative to try to get the IRS to revoke the group's 502(c) (3) status. Common Cause claims the group has abused its tax exempt status by lobbying legislatures across the country on behalf of a variety of companies and causes. American Legislative Exchange Council attorney Alan P. Dye said last week that claims by Common Cause distort the truth.