How Corrupt is Your State?

[lektrode]

now this one ought to be interesting:

http://www.stateintegrity.org/your_state

or more precisely, The Comments on this one.
(and even tho i realize that somehow i've been tagged a pariahboy around here, would still appreciate the itulip comments on what y'all see over there ;)

hilarious which states are ranked high and low on the corruption scale.

(and i wonder who paid for this one.... and of course, when trying to get this page:
http://www.stateintegrity.org/about no can get)

[doom&gloom]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

This cannot be right. That Illinois did not top the list shows some serious flaws...

[Starving Steve]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

Want to rate provinces of Canada? British Columbia = F- or maybe G-.

I won't explain until I move all of my assets OUT of British Columbia.

[mesyn191]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

(and i wonder who paid for this one.... and of course, when trying to get this page:
http://www.stateintegrity.org/about no can get)

Here is a copy/paste of the about section:

About the State Integrity Investigation


Keeping government honest

Voters tell pollsters that integrity is the most important quality they look for in public officials. It’s even more important than candidates’ opinions on the issues.

But leaders in many states fall short of citizens’ expectations. In Massachusetts, the last three house speakers were convicted on corruption. In Illinois, four ofthe last nine governors have gone to prison. Scandals have shaken more than half the nation’s statehouses in the past decade.

The State Integrity Investigation is a $1.5 million public collaboration designed to expose practices that undermine trust in state capitols -- and spotlight the states that are doing things right.
How does the State Integrity Investigation work?
The State Integrity Investigation is an unprecedented, data-driven analysis of each state’s laws and practices that deter corruption and promote accountability and openness. Experienced journalists graded each state government on its corruption risk using 330 specific measures. The Investigation ranked every state from one to 50. Each state received a report card with letter grades in 14 categories, including campaign finance, ethics laws, lobbying regulations, and management of state pension funds.
What is the goal of the Investigation?

• To examine states’ commitment to government integrity and shine light on what’s working and what’s not.
• To convince state officials to improve their laws and practices. The State Integrity Index highlights “best practices” in state government and can serve as a basis for policy reforms that address the unique challenges facing each state.
• To inspire the public to become interested and invested in ensuring honest, effective state government. The Investigation offers many ways for people to become involved – following news about state integrity, emailing report cards to officials, sharing experiences with state government, proposing solutions, and connecting with local “good government” groups.

How were the grades and scores determined?
The Investigation is not simply a tally of scandals that have occurred in state governments. Instead, it measures the strength of laws and practices that encourage openness and deter corruption. The Investigation consulted 100 government integrity experts to determine what to measure, then created its State Integrity Index with 330 “corruption risk indicators.”

Journalists in each state conducted interviews and research to score the indicators, based on clear scoring criteria. Editors at Global Integrity and the Center for Public Integrity reviewed the journalists’ work for accuracy and internal consistency. Experts in every state then independently reviewed the data.

You can view the scoring criteria, reporter notes, references, and reviewer notes by clicking on any category and then on specific corruption risk indicators.You can also read more about our methodology.
Who paid for the Investigation?
This project was produced with important support from Omidyar Network and the Rita Allen Foundation, with additional support form Rockefeller Family Fund. The Wyncote Foundation has provided support for follow-up reporting on the project and its findings.
Who are the project partners?
The State Integrity Investigation is a partnership of the Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity and Public Radio International.
How can I take action to promote government integrity in my state?
We invite you to:

• Join the conversation on state government integrity.
• Make suggestions for strengthening state government policies.
• Share news and information about your state.
• Share stories of your experiences with state government.
• Email report cards to state officials.

How do I get more information?

• You can contact the Investigation at stateintegrity@pri.org.
• Media inquiries may be directed to Randy Barrett at the Center for Public Integrity: rbarrett@publicintegrity.org or (202) 481-1256.

Googling Omidyar Network brings up this page.

From their "about us":

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. We invest in and help scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic, social, and political change.
eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and wife Pam established Omidyar Network based on their conviction that every person has the power to make a difference. Our work enables people to discover that power, improve their own lives, and make lasting contributions to their communities.

Googling Rita Allen Foundation leads you to this page and here is their history:

Based in Princeton, New Jersey, the Rita Allen Foundation was established in 1953 and sponsors a major grants program for researchers in science. The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars’ program provides funding to leading research institutions reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Committee. Many Rita Allen Foundation Scholars have made important discoveries and advances.
The Rita Allen Foundation’s areas of active interest include promoting civic literacy and engagement, investing in young leaders in the sciences and social innovation, and building stronger communities.
The Rita Allen Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of 8 directors. It is a highly engaged group of stewards who participate fully in the governance of the institution and bring a wide range of interests and expertise to all discussions about policies and programs.

and their board of directors:

William F. Gadsden
Chair
Elizabeth Good Christopherson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Aristides Georgantas (this guy seems to be on a bunch of philanthropy boards)
Secretary

Henry H. Hitch
Treasurer
Robert E. Campbell

Jon Cummings (here is his a page about him)

Landon Y. Jones

Samuel S.-H. Wang, Ph.D. (appears to be this guy here)

Emeritus Members

Moore Gates, Jr.
Director Emeritus

Only looked a few names but nothing seems "sinister" there at all either.



Here is the Rockerfeller Family Fund's site.
From their about us:

Martha, John, Laurance, Nelson, and David Rockefeller created the Rockefeller Family Fund in 1967. While our operations and approach remain true to the Rockefeller vision of strategic, innovative philanthropy, we have evolved from our roots as a family foundation.
///snip some history///
The Rockefeller Family Fund is a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code.

And finally the Wyncote Foundation with a very short and sweet "about us":

Wyncote Foundation was founded in December 2009 with funds from the Otto and Phoebe Haas Charitable Trusts, at the direction of John C. Haas.

Board of Directors:
David Haas
Leonard Haas
Frederick Haas
Duncan Haas

Managing Director: Kristin Ross
Office Manager: Lawanna Handwerk

I'm not really thrilled with the Corruption Site's methodology but it'd probably be splitting hairs and they do appear to be on the up and up.

[dcarrigg]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

I'm not really thrilled with the Corruption Site's methodology but it'd probably be splitting hairs and they do appear to be on the up and up.

Yeah, it seems reasonable to me. The problem is they're trying to quantify things that are not necessarily quantifiable.

To bring out the famous NH example again, when a legislator makes only $200 for a two-year term, it's not necessarily relevant whether the AG audits their campaign fund. Because who in their right mind would spend more than some gas and a few signs to get that $200 job? Nobody. Plus they've got 424 legislators for 1.3M people - about a representative for every 3,000 people. You're going off personal relationships at that point. The grading system doesn't take that into account.

Now in CA you're getting $113,098 per year to be elected state legislator. You might drop some shady money on that one. Plus there are only 120 legislators for 30M people in CA - that's a representative per 250,000 people. So the AG should audit campaign funds. And they do. So CA gets a better grade. But is it really fair?

That's the problem with grading. It's always subjective to some extent. You can just hope it's done in good faith.

Here's an article on the findings.

[DSpencer]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

Maybe it is all just preconceived notions, but I can't help but laugh thinking that: if South Dakota really cleans up its act, one day it might be able to appreciate a less corrupt government....like the one they have in New Jersey.

I'd personally be more interested in a site that just shows lobbying dollars per capita.

[flintlock]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

This cannot be right. That Illinois did not top the list shows some serious flaws...

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[flintlock]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

edit: Georgia worst! Yay, we're #1! We're #1!

Not surprising.

[wayiwalk]

Re: How Corrupt is Your State?

Maybe it is all just preconceived notions, but I can't help but laugh thinking that: if South Dakota really cleans up its act, one day it might be able to appreciate a less corrupt government....like the one they have in New Jersey.

I'd personally be more interested in a site that just shows lobbying dollars per capita.

I guess NJ is losing its reputation as the Louisianna of the north?