MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Republican state lawmaker is criticizing a new statewide business group, saying it's nothing more than a front for Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.

The Wisconsin Business Council includes representatives from a broad range of companies including AT&T, Park Bank and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. But one of the group's board of directors is former Doyle administration official Marc Marotta.

The council says its goal is to develop a pro-business, pro-employment agenda.

But Republican state Rep. Robin Vos of Caledonia says if the group were serious it would have organized to fight parts of the recently passed budget. Those parts include higher taxes and fees that other businesses publicly opposed.