Despite similarities, officials say they did not use model ALEC bills for Christie’s education legislation | American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

By Salvador Rizzo/Statehouse Bureau

Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, pictured in this February file photo, said after analyzing model ALEC bills and Gov. Christie's legislation that she had "never seen anything like this."

TRENTON — Even the shortest, simplest bills in New Jersey are products of a long, convoluted process.

Lawmakers usually take the first step by drawing up a wish list of what they’d like to see. Inspiration can come from anywhere: an advocacy group, a lobbyist, a news article, a constituent — or from the American Legislative Exchange Council, a national group bankrolled by corporations that writes pro-business model bills.

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