…one particular pro-business group exercises what seems to be a huge amount of influence over pro-business lawmakers. (Of course, if we ever spot any “anti-business” lawmakers out there — something that hasn’t been located since the beginning of the republic — we’ll be sure to let you know.) The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is generally described by its members as “pro-business” and “free-market.” And lawmakers who support their priorities, it turns out, also can be ALEC members — and no less than 115 current or former state lawmakers have such ties, according to the study. In fact, akin to the revolving door of congressmenturned-highlypaid lobbyists in Washington, ALEC leaders in Virginia have been known to go on to legislative leadership posts in Richmond, and vice versa. They may be totally different jobs, but they involve all the same group of people.
