Washington state comes up mostly clean in corruption study

When it comes to corruption, Washington state comes out
clean in an unprecedented new
study.

Washington ranked third overall when it comes to
transparency in government programs and the ability for
the public to know what lawmakers and bureaucrats are
actually up to, according to Randy Barrett with the
Center for Public Integrity.

“We are looking at the risk of corruption in each state
through 14 categories,” Barrett said. “They include things
like public access to information, legislative
accountability in the state budget process, that sort of
things.”

The reporter who investigated Washington cites the state’s
history of open government advocacy, and praised the
creation of the Public Disclosure Commission and
subsequent laws and regulations aimed at ensuring
transparency.

“Ethics laws restrict state employees and elected
officials from using their positions for private gain;
campaign disclosure laws regulate contributions and
expenditures; the Open Public Meetings Act requires
transparency and accessibility as well. Each board or
office charged with investigating possible ethics
violations or other improprieties is empowered to initiate
investigations,” writes reporter Vickie Kilgore in her
analysis of Washington state.

New Jersey topped the list, in part because it has had
many problems with corruption in the past that it has
implemented some of the strongest public disclosure
measures in the country.

Although Washington is one of only five states earning a
“B” grade, Barrett says that means there is still plenty
of room for improvement, and the public should hold
elected officials’ feet to the fire.

The report said Washington needs significant
improvement in management and transparency of the state
pension fund.

“The more dark corners you have, the more likelihood there
is that somebody’s going to try to pull something over on
the voters,” said Barrett.