Oregon Gets “F”, Washington State “D”, in Government Integrity Investigation

According to a report published by Northwest Cable News, Oregon is one of -if not the worst- states in the nation when it comes to integrity by government officials.

The Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity released results of a comprehensive study of the 50 states, and found Oregon ranks 44th as one of the worst.  According to Northwest Cable News and the Center:

"Loopholes for lobbyists and politicians are a common part of statehouse culture nationwide, according to the 2015 State Integrity Investigation, a data-driven assessment of state government by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity.

The comprehensive probe found that in state after state, open records laws are laced with exemptions, and part-time legislators and agency officials engage in glaring conflicts of interests and cozy relationships with lobbyists while feckless, understaffed watchdogs struggle to enforce laws as porous as honeycombs."

Oregon received an "F" in executive accountability due to the scandal surrounding former Governor Kitzhaber over his controversial environmental dealings. The Oregon Ethics Commission was also caught up in the scandal, giving them a lower grade as well.

Washington state rated a D grade, with executive accountability (Governor Inslee) receiving an "F", and legislative and judicial accountability (House, Senate and State Supreme Court) receiving "D" grades. Access to public information also received an "F" and lobbying disclosure also got a "D".

Alaska was the highest state, receiving an overall mark of "B-."