Since the 1970's conservative donors, activists, and business have been building networks to influence the state policy process. Professor Alexander Hertel-Fernandez from Columbia University will visit the Humphrey School to talk about why conservatives have been successful using organizations like ALEC to influence policy making while progressives have lagged behind.

Alexander Hertel-Fernandez is a political scientist who studies the effect that organized interests have on public policy. His book Politics at Work: How Companies Turn Their Workers Into Lobbyists examines how business are using their workforces to influence American politics. His most recent book is State Capture:How Conservative Activists, Big Businesses, and Wealthy Donors Reshaped the American States -- and the Nation. Copies will be available to purchase at the event.