I've already noted concerns that environmental advocacy groups are having an outsized influence on policy in various states. The Capital newspaper (Annapolis) recently ran a story on how this is playing out in Maryland.

The Center for Climate Strategies, which is offering states cut-rate deals on their services, won't reveal the source of their funding. But invariably the suggest states take similar measures: restrict economic activity and personal choice in the name of responding to global warming.

If that doesn't sound unseemly consider an analogue. Say that a state paid Americans for Tax Reform $10,000 (a trivial sum) to come in and advise it on tax policy. I have a feeling that that would definitely be a newsworthy event and the subject of many negative newspaper editorials.