Forbes has attempted to compile a list of the richest person in each state. Surprise: Jim Walton tops Arkansas with wealth conservatively estimated at $37.3 billion. His sister Alice tops Texas with $36.4 billion and his sister-in-law, Christy, tops Wyoming with $39.1 billion.

There are some things that money can’t always buy. Take the Arkansas legislature. It’s powerfully influenced by Walton money, yes. But remember the idea Walton money was pushing to let the state run its own broadband network for schools? Went away. Bids going out to existing phone company providers for upgrades. Remember the bill to allow the Little Rock School District to be privatized? Defeated. (It’ll be back, undoubtedly.) It’s not always Regnat Argentum in Arkansas. Just usually.

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