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Benton appointed new Washington state chair for the American Legislative Exchange Council February 25, 2008 OYLMPIA…Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, has been chosen to lead Washington’s delegation involved in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Benton was appointed by ALEC’s national chairman, State Sen. Steve Faris, D-Arkansas. Benton’s appointment is for two years. The American Legislative Exchange Council's mission is to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty through a nonpartisan, public-private partnership between America’s state legislators and concerned members of the private sector, the federal government and the general public.
“For more than a quarter of a century, ALEC has been the ideal means of creating and delivering public policy ideas aimed at protecting and expanding our free society, by acting as a think tank and developing model bills for more open and efficient government,” Benton said. This year, Benton co-sponsored a model bill from ALEC to create an online searchable database on state spending to provide more transparency in government for Washington citizens. Benton’s measure, Senate Bill 6387, and another measure, Senate Bill 6818, were nearly identical. SB 6818 became the vehicle and was unanimously approved by the Senate on Feb. 16. It is now in the House Appropriations Committee. Benton was a natural choice for the appointment based on his years of proven leadership skills and his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion to solve problems. “With ALEC, you don’t just talk the talk, you walk the walk when it comes to promoting the principles of free enterprise, limited government and individual liberty,” Benton said. “As state chair, I will work in a bipartisan manner to make things happen in Washington that will advance these purposes. I am honored, and I am excited about this opportunity.”
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