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Conservative group defends against Ohio report

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The Associated Press 2:06 PM Tuesday, February 7, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conservative American Legislative Exchange Council is responding to a report in which a coalition of liberal policy groups says it has provided language for 32 bills introduced the Ohio legislature, including nine that became laws.

The coalition's report released Monday says ALEC paid "scholarships" averaging $1,900 to 20 Ohio legislators for travel and other costs for conferences in New Orleans, San Diego and elsewhere. The Washington, D.C.-based council gets most funding from corporate entities.

An ALEC spokeswoman on Tuesday said the group is a "nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that takes no role in partisan activities and has no involvement in campaign contributions made by any individual, company, or political action committee."

She also says the group's model legislation must be approved by a board that does not include corporate members.

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February 07, 2012 07:01 PM EST

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