Politics

States of Disclosure

By Ellen Miller

Early this morning, the Center for Public Integrity released their updated version of its States of Disclosure report. It?s a very helpful ranking of financial disclosure reporting of each state?s legislature, gauging their level of transparency. The Center has conducted similar surveys a couple times before over the past decade, but this is the latest and the most complete. In this incarnation, CPI researchers looked at state statutes, interviewed ethics officials and used a 43-question survey that measures public access to information on legislators? employment, investments, personal finances, property holdings, or other actitivities outside the legislature.

Check out their interactive map where you can see what grade each state received and the details behind the grades. And I admit that I was surprised by the leader of the class?Louisiana, one of only three states to receive an A grade. Somewhat less surprising, Washington State ranked #2 and Hawaii at #3. Since CPI?s last report, 14 states improved their disclosure laws, but 20 still received a failing grade. And three states have no disclosure laws whatsoever.

Congratulations to our friends at the Center.  Go check it out!

Full post as published by Sunlight Foundation on June 25, 2009 (boomark / email).