Results were released for an in-depth study of the integrity of state governments and the results show that only three states have passing grades.
The investigation began in 2011, and the first set of results were published in 2012, but in 2014, Global Integrity and the Center for Public Integrity teamed up to continue their research.
The states were graded on their actions in 13 main categories:
- Public access to information
- Political financing
- Electoral oversight
- Executive accountability
- Legislative accountability
- Judicial accountability
- State budget processes
- State civil service management
- Procurement
- Internal auditing
- Lobbying disclosure
- Ethics enforcement agencies
- State pension fund management
The two organizations contacted nearly 100 state-level organizations and experts working in various areas of the government and public sector during 2011, and asked them what issues mattered most in their state when it came to corruption in the public sector. Their responses determined these 13 categories.
Global Integrity studies works to give the public detailed information that will prevent abuses of power and promote public integrity in and out of the United States. Using a unique blend of social science and journalistic research, local Global Integrity researchers compile their research and provide a grade based on that research. This is so effective because it relies on a vast number of sources (legal and scholarly reviews, government laws and procedures, interviews with experts, and reviews of media stories) instead of just basing their choices on secondhand research.
Of all 50 states, only three received a passing grade (a "C" or higher in this particular instance): Alaska, California, and Connecticut. 14 states, completely failed, receiving an "F" as their grade in the study.
With constituents continuing to look away from Washington and devote more of their attention to their state governments, there has never been a more important time for local capitols to be stepping up their game. With only 6% of state governments passing a basic integrity study, constituents will soon be demanding reform from these officials, or they will be replaced.