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When it comes to government corruption Arizona gets a D+
Study: Arizona has corruption risk by Mary Jo Pitzl - Mar. 19, 2012 09:38 PM The Republic | azcentral.com Arizona gets a D+ in a new report that ranks the states on their susceptibility to corruption. Although a low grade, it puts Arizona in the middle of the national pack at 27th, according to a yearlong study conducted by the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C. The study tried to size up a state's risk of corruption by looking at laws and procedures designed to provide transparency and accountability in state government. The looser the standards, the greater the risk of corruption. The study looked at 14 categories -- such as ease of accessing information, accountability across all levels of government and state budget practices -- and then applied 330 "integrity indicators." The highest-ranking state -- New Jersey -- got a B+, and no state earned an A. Arizona scored an A for its redistricting process, which is overseen by an independent panel. But that high mark was dragged down by Fs in pension-fund management, civil-service management, lobbying disclosures and oversight by the state insurance commission. Several factors heavily influenced Arizona's overall D+ grade: Inaction on financial-disclosure laws, even though the Fiesta Bowl scandal exposed problems with what lawmakers are required to report. No substantial changes have been made to laws since the AzScam scandal 20 years ago. Although Arizona lawmakers must file financial-disclosure reports, they are not cross-referenced with similar reports from lobbyists, making it hard to connect dots on who is peddling influence and who is buying it. An opaque budgeting process. The report notes the fiscal 2012 budget was unveiled, debated and finalized within an 18-hour period last year. Budget cuts have weakened the state's ability to exercise its regulatory duties. The state lost 5,000 workers as it grappled with budget deficits. The state's procurement laws are riddled with exceptions for some of government's largest institutions, such as universities. The report is available at stateintegrity.org. |