Conservative lawmakers gather in Utah

PAUL FOY
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Hundreds of state legislators from around the country are gathering in Salt Lake City for an annual convention of the American Legislative Exchange Council.

ALEC is a conservative think tank that promotes limited government and free markets. It has been the subject of Occupy protests and an Internal Revenue Service complaint about its tax-exempt status.

Utah state Sen. Curtis Bramble of Provo says the attacks from liberal groups like Common Cause are "a lot of fluff and hoopla."

Bramble is a lifelong ALEC member and one of its board members.

The organization has helped shape many of the nation's "Stand Your Ground" laws now being tested in the killing of a Florida teenager.

ALEC is holding the convention until Friday at the Grand America hotel.

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