The American Legislative Exchange Council has descended upon Salt Lake City for its annual meeting, and the nonprofit that secretly feeds lawmakers biz-friendly bills is being harried by local activists at every stop. Thursday activists are picketing ALEC for efforts to dismantle public education.---

Utah is no stranger to the voucher debate after the 2007 Legislature approved by one vote a voucher’s bill that was later rejected by Utah voters. Now, ALEC has come to town, and with the conservative nonprofit come plenty of businesses eager to see voucher efforts make a comeback.

The Nation reported how ALEC has pushed voucher programs in numerous states across the country, including Utah, going back to 2007, oftentimes to the detriment of special-needs students, such as students with disabilities. One report suggests that as recently as this spring, ALEC bills blitzed through the Louisiana Legislature, expanding charter-school authority, beefing up voucher programs and changing teacher-tenure policies.

If you’ve got concerns about corporations developing secretive education-related bills, then join the rally Thursday outside of an ALEC reception at the Utah Museum of Natural History.

Speak up and speak out, Thursday, July 26, from 6:30-8 p.m at the Utah Museum of Natural History, 301 Wakara Way