The Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity and PRI have published a report card on the risk of corruption in each of the fifty states. They evaluated a state's 'integrity' by looking at the strength or weakness of the laws, policies and procedures designed to assure transparency and accountability in state government.They looked at a variety of things, including public access to information, political financing, executive accountability, legislative accountability, judicial accountability, state budget processes, civil service management, procurement, internal auditing, lobbying disclosure, pension fund management, ethics enforcement, insurance commissions, and redistricting.
They didn't like what they saw. "Open records laws with hundreds of exemptions. Crucial budgeting decisions made behind closed doors by a handful of power brokers. “Citizen” lawmakers voting on bills that would benefit them directly. Scores of legislators turning into lobbyists seemingly overnight. Disclosure laws without much disclosure. Ethics panels that haven’t met in years."
No state received an 'A', five got a B, 18 C and 19 D. 8 states flunked.
I particularly liked the report of "A West Virginia governor (who) borrowed a car from his local dealership to take it for a “test drive.” He kept the car for four years, during which the dealership won millions in state contracts."
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