As an independent lobbyist, William Antonoplos feels the pressure to produce. Some companies hire them for self-protection. Their rivals have lobbyists, and they don't want to give competitors an edge. Scherer considers lobbying a business investment, in that state government has become more like a business. Once the first one does, the other one sees he's getting hosed.
People see success, and they start to copy.
Today, lobbyists represent clients ranging from Cedar Point to the Coin Laundry Group and the Cigar Association of America, from the Paging Coalition to the Pawnbrokers and Pest Control associations. They intentionally exaggerate. Some executives are so naive about the process, said state Rep. Ray Miller of Columbus, that they take a flier with anyone who sounds good. These guys want a lobbyist and will say . . . I run a health-care company.