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Subscribe to RSSFive states received a "B" grade for accountability and transparency and eight got an "F" in the investigation by the nonprofit groups Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity and Public Radio International. No state got an "A."
The 18-month project is the most comprehensive study of state laws and practices that bolster openness and deter corruption, the investigators said.
New Jersey led the way with a grade of B-plus, followed by Connecticut, Washington, California and Nebraska. The eight failing states were North Dakota, Michigan, South Carolina, Maine, Virginia, Wyoming, South Dakota and Georgia at the bottom. Nineteen states got a "C" and 18 received a "D."
Bad reputation
New Jersey has a colorful tradition of corruption in government, including a U.S. congressman taking a bribe from an FBI agent posing as a wealthy Arab sheik, a Jersey shore councilman caught on tape bragging to an undercover officer that he would never get caught because “I could smell a cop a mile away,” and a decade-long string of 150 state and local officials who were either convicted or pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. The cases ranged from Motor Vehicle Commission employees selling fraudulent licenses to politicians peddling their influence for kickbacks.
Cases stemming from the 2009 roundup of 44 people in what was dubbed by the feds as “Operation Bid-Rig” are still working their way through the courts.
Read the full report from NBC10.com
But that history of corruption also led to strong reforms designed to prevent it in the future. Among them was a law prohibiting campaign contributions by most firms doing business with the state.
New Jersey ranks first in the integrity investigation for ethics enforcement, first for executive branch accountability and fourth for procurement practices.
“It's nice to be recognized for being ahead of the curve,” said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie, a former U.S. attorney who prosecuted many of the recent cases. “The governor is proud of the changes he's made and the resources he's made available to the public in terms of government transparency. Government operates and behaves better when it's open and transparent, and taxpayers feel informed and a part of the process when they can see how their money is spent, who is getting contracts and who's on the payroll and such.”
The result surprised Marc Mappen, author of the book "There’s More to New Jersey Than The Sopranos," who has covered corruption in the state. "It’s nice to know we’re not as corrupt as people think," he told the Star-Ledger. "New Jersey has some spectacular examples of corruption in its history, but studies have painted a better picture."
According to Nathaniel Heller, managing director of Global Integrity, the finding may appear "counter-intuitive" but is a tribute to its corruption-fighting reforms
But, he added, "To be at the top of this list is sort of to win a beauty contest where not anybody is particularly pretty to start with."
Fewer watchdogs?
The study comes as struggling newspapers have slashed statehouse coverage or folded, weakening its traditional watchdog role of government, said Caitlin Ginley of the Center for Public Integrity, the project manager.
Almost every state had large gaps between laws on the books and their enforcement, she said.
The index grade measured the risk of corruption based on 330 indicators across 14 categories of government.
New York finished 36th with a "D" grade despite Governor Andrew Cuomo's steering ethics reform through the legislature.
"When the capital (Albany) is mentioned anywhere in New York state, there's usually a guffawing rejoinder followed by 'rats,' 'bums' or 'thieves,'" the report said.
Illinois, where former Governor Rod Blagojevich started a 14-year prison term for corruption on Thursday, got a "C" in a four-way tie for 10th with Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Hawaii.
States with well-known scandals paradoxically often have tough laws and enforcement that then bring them to light, a statement accompanying the study said.
"'Quiet' states may be at higher risk, with few means to (bring to the) surface corrupt practices," it said.
In Georgia, at the bottom of the list, there is a "gaping divide" between legal standards for accountability and normal practice, the report said.
Some 658 state workers accepted sports tickets, expensive meals and other gifts over a two-year period. It has been 12 years since the state last fined a vendor for failing to disclose such gifts, it said.
As a group, executives of Georgia insurance companies, public utilities and other regulated sectors have become the biggest single source of campaign money for regulators.
Methodology for the study was designed by Global Integrity, a Washington group that examines corruption worldwide.
The Center for Public Integrity oversaw the reporting and editing. Minneapolis-based Public Radio International, a transparency campaigner, handled dissemination by social media.
The study was largely funded by the Omidyar Network, an investment group founded by eBay Inc founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, and the Rita Allen Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey.
Reuters and NBC Philadelphia contributed to this report.
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Ha! That's funny NJ fighting corruption...being from NJ it's amazing to see how many people retire from the public unions with extravagant pensions. NJ won't ever be under control simply because it's too easy to game the system.
There's a good chance this study result is corrupted.. lol
But it's better than it has been for years. People who retire from union pensions pay into it for years, so it can't be said that it means there is corruption.
Yes unfortunately too many politicians and political appointees have found ways to game the system and seem to be able to work 2-3-4 government jobs in an 8 hour day and combine all of those salaries into one pensionable amount. This is a large contributor to NJ's pension problems, Those individuals steal from the average public sector employee who pays into a pension system for 25-30 years, However the system itself does need revamping, Currently those paying into their pensions need to contribute a larger percentage to it to keep it sustainable and not rely on the public to keep it funded.
This is true. Wisconsin has been the same way until Scott Walker was elected. Now,
the national Big Money Union Thugs are trying to run a recall vote against
Walker. These out-of-state union jackwagons are wasting taxpayer dollars which
could be put back into schools and other public service jobs! This Saturday was Support Scott Walker Day, and it was absolutely incredible the masses that were out statewide on many
corners holding signs. The only true supporters of the recall effort are not
even eligible to vote in the state!!!
Makes sense. They have the most to fight against. And it did say "fight" not "win."
Its not surprising at all, there is a republican governor there now who is willing to expose and fight corruption instead of democrats who typically sponsor such activities in order to get lucrative kick-backs for their campaigns.
ya know..
it's like the rating game..when bush's popularity rating tanked at 36%, the liberal media attacked him and his policies relentlessly..
when obunglers rating dipped to 45%..oh..it,s only a poll, and who trusts polls, said the lame stream media.
give credit where credit is due..christie's policies are working..
quit your liberal crying when things don't go your way..
ABO2012
Brian-Milwaukee @ #1.3
I'm with you on that.
Joe-Northeast Wi.
Hell, Republican Politicians make even the Soprano's look like choir boys. LOL They are some of the most corrupt people out there. Just look at most government legislation proposed by Republicans. They are always big give aways of taxpayer money to large corporations or people with millions in the bank.
And the governor in Wisconsin is one of the worst. If I were you republican apologists I wouldn't be using him as an example. He and many others who have worked for him are under investigation for corruption. Then you have a REPUBLICAN convicted of VOTER FRAUD and his friend who is a REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR trying to get his conviction changed into a misdemeanor so he could REAPPOINT him to control of voting in his state. LOL If you want to see a corrupt politician just stop by any republican politicians office. You will find him on his knees before big money contributors.
It's funny how when presented with things like this the ignorant on the right always claim "LIBERAL MEDIA BIAS" when the TRUTH of their misdeeds are brought into the light of day.
That's because of NJ's new Republican Governor. Please, please, please let Illinois be next! No more democrat/union thugs ever!
Sandy,Missouri
Governor Walker is not under investigation for corruption.
Is it personal experience that tells you that it's easy to "game the system?" I mean--have you done it? Unlike the RED states, the BLUE states actually care about consumer protection.
Georgia at the very bottom is not a surprise. South Dakota let Pay Day Loan places fleece kids outside the military base in Rapid City until the Feds stepped in and made them close, but the banking laws are a joke. Premier Bank Card, T. Denny Stanford--google it.
This has to be completely bogus for not including Illinois, the state with the most governors either in prison or having served prison sentences. There's a reason that the term "Chicago politics" is synonymous with corruption.
wichasha, actually he IS but nothing formal has been declared. You can put your head in the sand as much as you want but it won't go away. There have been numerous Walker aids who have been arrested and a most worked on his campaigns. To think he was ignorant of what they were doing would mean he is one of the stupidest people on the planet. Then again after looking at what he has done since elected like raised unemployment to high levels while giving millions in taxes and tax breaks to corporations. Yeah, he just might be that stupid.
hahahahahaha, people praising wisconsin rethuglicon governor scott walker. probably some of his paid bloggers that were busted for campaigning for walker on the tax payer dime. a couple were arrested for doing just that, commenting in favor of walker on comment boards just like this, and doing it at the tax payers expense. a million people signed a petition to recall this crook, and the fbi has been investigateing him and his mafia going back years. some of his people have been arrested for stealing money from veterans organizations and child mollestation. scott walker did not even graduate college because he was booted for cheating. now he is stealing the money that was to go to forclosure victims, to balance his budget. he is a koch brothers cronie, google the phone call between walker and the fake koch brother, it reveals his intention to put thugs in with the protesters to stir up trouble. google ALECwatch.org/scott walker. the American Legislative Exchange Council or ALEC is a "union" of corporate wealthy special interests that have written 90% of the legislation in wisconsin since walker took office, benefiting their interests at the expence of the working people of wisconsin.walker and his cronies in the government legislative bodies in the state are all members of ALEC along with corporations from exxon to walmart. these corportate wealthy special interests are actually writing laws and their cronies like walker and other states that are at the bottom of this corruption list includinng arizona are passing them. lookj at all the republican states passing the same laws, it called the ALEC agenda. walker is going down, either by recall, making him trhe third governor in history, or by the "john doe" investigation by the FBI. or we can blame those school teaching "thugs" like the paid bloggers from the corporate wealthy funded heritage foundation and americans for prosperity want you to beleive.
March 18, 2012 (SHEBOYGAN, Wis.) -- A newspaper analysis finds that 29 judges from 15 Wisconsin counties were among those who signed petitions to recall Gov. Scott Walker
WASHINGTON -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has set up a legal defense fund for the "John Doe" investigation of his time as Milwaukee county executive that has already ensnared several of his former staffers.
The "John Doe" investigation has already resulted in charges against six of Walker's top aides. The probe by the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office is reportedly focusing on whether staffers who worked for Walker did political work with taxpayer money.
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate responded by saying that Walker is the first governor to ever need a criminal defense fund.
"He has bent and broken the rules that should govern the conduct of an executive," Tate said in a statement. "Every citizen, regardless of party, agrees that our government should be free of corruption. It looks very much like Scott Walker has not given Wisconsin this honor."
Tim Russell, who once served as Walker's campaign aide, deputy chief of staff and county housing director, is accused of embezzling more than $20,000 intended to be used for veterans and instead spending it for personal reasons, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Other charges in the investigation "allege a pattern of illegal fundraising and what appears to be a systemic avoidance of campaign laws by Walker's inner circle," the paper reports
Police and judges and lawyers have a good money making system too.....The poor and middleclass get used ,,, for the rich,,,,(no crime there)...The world must get this way. This is how it must be to end...all hell,Everyday chit happens and its not every going to get better,war s,wild weather,rich getting richer and run the world make it hard for people,,people starving,homeless people,broking homes,all hell is coming ..USA government can't take care of it self because of the greed,.rich rule.......we can't win against our government.....but our government tells others how they are going to live and enforce it ....Bad world.BUT THEY TELL ME GOD HAS US IN HIS PALM AND IF WE BELIEVE AND HAVE FAITH WITH WORKS IT WE BE OK<HE TAKE CARE OF OUR NEEDS HERE ON EARTH>AND WE WILL LIVE IN HEAVEN FOREVER >>>>> WITH PEACE.....does anyone know were to find this GOD....?lost the faith,losing the battle........
I spent 17 years working for the state of California and participated in investigations and prosecution of criminals working inside the State. The corruption in that State is pervasive and involves employees from entry level positions to the department and agency heads. The corruption causes Californians tax payers to loose tens of billions each year. Until the State codifies real protections for whistle blowers (persons of conscience) the money will continue to flow into the accounts of contractors, consultants, NGO administrators, etc and even back into the hands of the employees themselves. Sad to say that the legislature will not extend whistleblower protection to its staffers. Those of us who have taken a stand against corruption in State government wind up as road kill either because of the threats carried out by those involved or the huge losses we sustain while the cases grind on for years at a time. If you think you will get a reward for your good deeds think again. The attorney fees and taxes wipe out over 60% of your award.
WOW I hear the only people voting to recall Walker, The union THUGS that are trying to keep there MONEY FLOWING IN.
GET RID OF THE UNIONS FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS.
On March 13, the Democracy Campaign asked the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether three groups should keep their tax-exempt status in light of frank admissions that they are working to keep Gov. Scott Walker in office.
The three groups – Americans for Prosperity Foundation, the MacIver Institute for Public Policy and the Heartland Institute – enjoy tax-exempt, nonprofit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Such status is meant for charitable and educational organizations and they have one purpose under the law – “promotion of social welfare.” Federal law prohibits them from using any resources to participate or intervene in political campaigns. The rules also put strict limits on the time and resources 501(c)(3) groups can devote to issue advocacy to influence legislation
Americans for Prosperity was created in 2003 by the billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch, owners of Koch Industries which includes companies with operations in Wisconsin like Georgia Pacific. The MacIver Institute was established in 2009 with substantial funding from Milwaukee’s Bradley Foundation as well as the Koch family.
The 28-year-old, Chicago-based Heartland Institute also has received major funding from the Bradley Foundation and Charles G. Koch Foundation. It also has received large sums from Exxon Mobil to sponsor scientific “research” purporting to show that climate change is not happening. And Heartland teamed with Philip Morris to question the link between secondhand smoke and health risks
In a fundraising appeal for its “Operation Angry Badger,” the Heartland Institute made no bones about the need to get involved in the recall election on behalf of Gov. Walker:
“The recall elections of 2012 amount to a referendum on collective bargaining reform at the state level, making them of national interest. Successful recalls would be a major setback to the national effort to rein in public sector compensation and union power. Heartland is the largest and most influential national free-market think tank in the Midwest, so we are in the right place and with the right resources to help defend and secure Wisconsin’s recent gains.”
Quoted in a story appearing last month in a Florida newspaper, Americans for Prosperity Foundation board chairman David Koch was equally blunt:
“ ‘We’re helping him, as we should. We’ve gotten pretty good at this over the years,’ he says. ‘We’ve spent a lot of money in Wisconsin. We’re going to spend more.’
“By ‘we’ he says he means Americans for Prosperity, which is spending about $700,000 on an ‘It’s Working’ television ad buy in the state.
“ ‘What Scott Walker is doing with the public unions in Wisconsin is critically important. He’s an impressive guy and he’s very courageous,’ Koch says after a benefit dinner of salmon and white wine. ‘If the unions win the recall, there will be no stopping union power.’
out of the 26 states failing at the bottom of the list, receiving grade d or f, all are republicon controlled except new york and maryland.
dzaffina, too bad so sad. You've fallen hook, line, and sinker for the Scott Walker is a crook non story. If you dig deep enough into the actual events, you'll find that it was Walker who turned in Tim Russell, the guy who embezzled the money meant for vets, which occurred before he was elected governor I might add. Guess you left out that important little detail. I might add the Scott Walker has pledged to cooperate in any way he can to help the investigation.
The "John Doe" investigation has already resulted in charges against six of Walker's top aides. The probe by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office is reportedly focusing on whether staffers who worked for Walker did political work with taxpayer money.
This was common practice under democratic governor Jim Doyle, but then the democrat DA would always look the other way. It seems the DA couldn't be bothered by these trivial little charges when democrats ran the show, and ran us into $3.5 billion in debt. Selective law enforcement at its worst.
To date there is not one shred of evidence linking Walker to any of the activities you cite. He was advised by the Wisconsin GAB to start a legal defense fund. The GAB is not leading or conducting the investigation. The DA and the media are dragging this story out to try affect the recall election in June. It may very well be he is starting this fund to file slander charges against individuals who use this in an effort to defeat Walker in June. In regard to the 29 judges in 14 counties who signed the recall petition, that is their right as a citizen of the state, however there are 72 counties in Wisconsin, safe to say a VAST MaJORITY of the judges in the state DID NOT SIGN THE PETITION. One last note, Walker will win the recall bid in a landslide. BANK ON IT!
Twelve percent of the state’s approximately 250 county-level judges signed the petition. By comparison, the 930,000 signatures submitted by recall organizers would represent 21 percent of the state’s voting-age population, if all signatures were valid.
There dzaffina, chew on these stats awhile! Walker wins huge! Tens of millions wasted by big labor trying to shore up the crooked public service unions who were screwing our state. Look into the cozy little scam they had set-up for union health care under Doyle. We were getting raped by these crooks.
i see you have plenty of opinion but little fact to back you up.
"you'll find that it was Walker who turned in Tim Russell, the guy who embezzled the money meant for vets, which occurred before he was elected governor I might add."
show me where walker turned in tim russell. Tim Russell, who once served as Walker's campaign aide, deputy chief of staff and county housing director. walker took the management of the money away from the vets and put russell in charge.
"which occurred before he was elected governor I might add. Guess you left out that important little detail. I might add the Scott Walker has pledged to cooperate in any way he can to help the investigation." .........................................
yea, it happened when he was running for governor. didn't jeffery dohmer "pledge to cooperate" too? the rest ofr what you say is your slanted rightwing opinion. anyone interested in facts should look them up. its all there in black and white.
I agree with you. However, they're doing it legally, so it isn't corruption, just bad government. There is a difference.
Cleaning up a culture of corruption takes time. Christie may have continued reforms, but he didn't start the process.
MSNBC editors need to stop watching the Sopranos, because other than that I don't get what "Fuhgeddaboutit!" has to do with NJ. If you think everyone here speaks that way, you need to get out more.
On to the story, this state has been incredibly corrupted for longer than I have been alive, until Christie took over. He has done an incredible job in weeding out years of corrupt politicians, and their policies.
And before you make assumptions, I voted for, and plan to vote for again, President Barack Obama. I say that to point out that what I say about Christie is an honest view and not politically motivated.
EXACTLY! People that speak like that are NOT from New Jersey, they're transplants from NY. Mortifying! And yes, Chris Christie is wonderful regardless of his political side.
TFNJ, I grew up in North Jersey (Newark area) which is the Soprano stereotype area where people would be most likely to say "Fuhgeddaboutit" if anyone were to say such things. You are correct in that nobody who is actually from NJ says that and I have no idea where it came from.
As for NJ politics being tops for fighting corruption, while it's wonderful for NJ to be on the top of a positive list for a change, it also tells me that it's probably just worse elsewhere. While Christie has done a good job in the area of cleaning up corruption (I voted for him and Obama as well), all it takes is one more corrupt mayor to drag this rating back down again and Christie can't control that. Between Camden and Newark I've lost count of how many mayors ended up in prison for corruption. I will admit that Mayor Booker seems like a class act, though.
I know, you all act like the Jersey Shore cast instead.
Most of them are from NY too, Bobby Jones.
@BJB nice name. If you ever saw Jersey Shore, it's about of BENNYS because they are NOT from the shore. We call people BENNY'S who are not from here and lack ettiquette. Granted those letters stand for specific areas but it applies if some falls in that category. They're easy to spot by their ridiculous 'look' their loud foul mouths w/that uneducated, mortifying accent. We definately love the beach more before Memorial Day & after Labor day.
The problem is that people who live in other states have no concept of the diversity of NJ, They look at it as a suburb of NYC and it is not, Most people who are not from NJ do not realize that even though NJ is the most populated state per square mile that it is only because of the counties in the north east part of the state that make it this way, Much of our state is Forest and farmland with forest making up 42% of the states space and farmland covering an additional 17%.
Grew up in Jersey City myself. Live in central Jersey now though. Believe me I would never hold my breath thinking this state will ever be corruption free. But it is much less now than it has been for years. You are right, some mayor will probably soon bring that grade back down. Hopefully this trend will continue though, even after Christie is gone.
Fuhgeddaboutit!
And that Folks is why we need Chris Christie to be drafted by the RNC to Run For President !
If that happened he would beat Numbnuts by a landslide . The Demorats who are now enjoying the plundering of the Treasury to feather their own nests, would be changing their Diapers every Hour on the Hour, if Christie were PRESIDENT. They would be living in fear of being fired or Prosecuted and winding up in the next cell to that Political Hack, Blowgoyabitch ! GOV. CHRISTIE.....HELP !!!!
I wouldn't go that far. But he is popular. Ready to be president though? Not 100% sure.
Christie does have a tendency to same dumb things, including his comment that he was sure that blacks in the 1960's south wished that there could have been a vote on civil rights. His refusal to approve same-sex marriage, despite passage by both state houses and majority approval on the issue in polls, made no sense and he never attempted to justify his veto. If he would stand up to the far-right wing of the party, I could actually respect him, but even he's scared of the TP.
I was from NJ. I think Christie is doing a good job, considering the other option was Corzine, who is under investigation for millions of dollars missing. Corzine really screwed NJ over.
Like that stopped anybody for voting for the one we got now!
Checkmate ... what is the source of your allegation that Corzine is under investigation for money missing from the State of NJ?
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/02/8599414-corzine-top-obama-fundraiser-under-fbi-investigation
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/02/barack-obamas-top-wall-st-fundraiser-under-investigation_n_1072199.html
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/former_gov_corzines_wall_stree.html
http://www.c-span.org/Events/C-SPAN-Event/10737426111/
Sorry, it's 1.2 BILLION that is missing.
Just google: Corzine investigation
After living in South Carolina and Now Georgia it is no great surprise.
What is surprising is the ones at the bottom all have GOP governors. Both sides have their crooks, no doubt about it. As an independent living in WA, I was surprised to see it listed towards the top.
And the one at the top has a GOP governor. This is one silly study. Illinois and California near the top?!? That discredits it immediately.
@Sally Ann, jealous of just caddy? Regardless, don't hate the player, hate the game. So one study didn't gush about beautiful WA. I love NJ and it always gets a bad rapp. We're the Garden State for a reason. We have beautiful beaches and beautiful horse country not to mention wealth and education. Granted we have bad sections and I am not denying that. But to comment in your manner or fashion tells me someone 'thinks' their place is on a high horse. I happened to agreee that's where you belong.....so someone from NJ can knock your @ss off it. LOL Happy Monday!
Sam, I think Sally Ann mean she was surprised to see her state, Washington, listed near the top, not that she was surprised to see the great state of New Jersey at the top. Sally Ann, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
BTW, it seems that it was mostly my fellow Jerseyans reading this article and commenting on it. Guess when you see a headline like this it catches your eye. It's nice to be recognized for something other than jerks at the beach.
AZChzhd, 100% on target!
Really? ill-a noying & kalifornia? I guess they took the poles after blogo went to jail and poo-loosie was out of town.
@Ryan - thank you for pointing that out. If I am worng, I apologize. Yes, one thing NJ'ians are and that is defensive when it comes to our state and peoples misconceptions. Sally Ann I am sorry if I misinterpreted your statement. Hey TFNJ - Central Jersey too - Freehold. It's great right? Close enough but far enough away to everything and I mean EVEYTHING!
I love Freehold. I'm in East Brunswick myself. And yes, I know exactly what you mean. Can't wait for the warm weather, and beach and park time. I'm the outdoor type, and love summer.
Ryan, I wasn't slamming NJ, I was surprised WA was at the top. Some of the manure that goes on in Olympia is unbelieveable. Also Ryan, I glad you understood what I meant, and Sam couldn't. Also Sam, you can come out here and try to knock me off my high horse any time you want to try.
I didn't insult you like you insulted me. Learn to understand what people post, I never mentioned any state except the state I live in. I could care less about your state, truth be known, and we also have the beautiful beaches here also.
South Dakota was in the bottom of the list. Somehow I doubt that there is much corruption in the Rushmore State. What they lack in ethics rules and laws, they make up for with limited government
@SAlly Ann - I guess you missed my apologie(s) to you and why I got so defensive. Judging from your last post, now you can be a big person and acknowledge that you too throw sand. And yes dear, I am aware you have beautiful beaches.
I spent 17 years working for the state of California and participated in investigations and prosecution of criminals working inside the State. The corruption in that State is pervasive and involves employees from entry level positions to the department and agency heads. The corruption causes Californians tax payers to loose tens of billions each year. Until the State codifies real protections for whistle blowers (persons of conscience) the money will continue to flow into the accounts of contractors, consultants, NGO administrators, etc and even back into the hands of the employees themselves. Sad to say that the legislature will not extend whistleblower protection to its staffers. Those of us who have taken a stand against corruption in State government wind up as road kill either because of the threats carried out by those involved or the huge losses we sustain while the cases grind on for years at a time. If you think you will get a reward for your good deeds think again. The attorney fees and taxes wipe out over 60% of your award.
@ AZChzhd - I was thinking the very same thing. I would have thought that Il would have been at the bottom of the heap. Maybe they got a better grade because they actually have put a few people in jail.
That has to be part of it. If you see lots of people going to jail for corruption it shows that there is at least someone doing something about it. If there is no one going to jail, it SURELY doesn't mean that there isn't anyone doing it, just that none of them are being caught, and maybe not even being hunted.
Illinois is way overrated. All you here about is corruption from that state.
And I am supposed to care about this biased groups opinion..................because?
don't like the message, kill the messanger.
So you couldn't come up with a reason either.
It's not surprising NJ is working to fight corruption given who is the current governor.
Chris Christie put more politicians in jail both democratic and republican while he was the Federal prosecutor.
Robert, that might be because they didn't pay him off as well as the others.
Ah, Sandy is pretending she knows something no one else knows, Please post all the links to your proof that Governor Christie took any payoffs, Now if you were to make that statement about our former Governor Jon Corzine then I would agree with you, Corzine still can not explain where all those billions of dollars went from our state or AMF Global.
Huh. Wonder who they paid off to top THAT list...
:P
At least Georgia is number 1 in something! Crooks.
Yeah - and Newtie patootie is at the top of the list LOL
Maine is indeed one of the most corrupt. It stays off the radar because of its low population and general lack of media coverage. Funny thing is that they don't try too hard to hide it either, because no one cares to stop it. Call the State Attorney's office about a local corruption issue, and they'll tell you that they have no jurisdiction or mechanism to pursue an investigation. Call the Feds and they tell you to take it up with the state...the usual circle jerk. Meanwhile, countless millions of taxpayer dollars are channeled through the system to a scant few who know how to play the game. In most other states, these politicians(thieves) wouldn't last a month before being indicted. But not in a welfare state that boasts a beer can as the state bird. We can thank Olympia Snowe-job and Susan Collins, the two flaming liberals in wolf's clothing, for helping to divert as many federal tax dollars as possible to the trailer trash politicians infesting the state.
i like a guy who can laugh at themself. hahahaha blame two senators for the states corruption. no the republicons control the government at the state level, thats who to blame.
American Express...priceless. dzaffina....clueless.
NJ can always look good about fighting corruption, since they have so much of it. Other states sometimes need to scrape the bottom to find some, but NJ always has it floating on top, so it's easier to see. New York and Michigan are right there behind New Jersey, but don't seem to care quite as much about skimming the obvious stuff up and doing away with it.
This is politics......
The GOP is admitting loss in the 2012 elections and are already trying to position Christie as the golden boy for 2016.
The stay puff marshmellow man needs to sharpen the pencil a lot more than this to be ready to step in front of the US people.
four more years of obama and we will be beyond repair for any golden child...then again 4 more years of obama may prove that socialist politics is a failure and maybe, just maybe you liberal koolaid drinkers may wake up and get back to what america is about..freedom, personal responsibility, accountability and capitialism...
I was just in india...I asked our guide what has been the greatest impact on india and has raised millions from poverty to middle class....do you know what the answer was...same thing when I was in vietnam last year...
Mark, stop drinking the Rush and Fox koolaid. :D America is far better off under Obama than any republican. If McCain would have been elected we would be at 1/4 of our population unemployed and even more broke than we are now. We would have soup kitchens like in the 1930's under republicans. Republicans only care about freedom, personal responsibility, accountability and capitialism as catch phrases to get the ignorant and gullible to vote for them. The only thing republicans care about is MONEY, POWER and CONTROL over the stupid, ignorant masses they can get to vote for them.
Voting for a republican right now is like slitting your wrists and smiling as the life blood of your country spills onto the grass.
Most, if not all, of these states are DEMOCRATS...any where you see a heavy gathering of dems you will find corruption...
I thought I saw another study indicating that Mr. Obama's state of IL had enourmous corruption...he learned from the best!
I am an independent...I have watch the dem party very closely over the last 4 years...I WILL NEVER VOTE DEM AGAIN...the party is manipulative, liers, spinners etc...they will do ANYTHING to get and keep power...they are very hypocritical...not the the reps are perfect but the dems will destroy this country...
I will either vote 3rd party, repub or libertarian....
Mark, you bias is showing. WA has a demo controlled govt, all three branches. The bottom ones are where the pugbags govern. Those are FACTS Mark, but I guess you don't believe in FACTS, do you? Also as an independent, this election cycle I won't vote for any PUGBAG. So my vote cancels your vote.
And if you think the demo's will destroy this country, where have you been for the last few years? Huh?
"Most, if not all, of these states are DEMOCRATS"....hahahahahahahaha...typical uninformed rightwinger, ooh wait, your an indepentent...hahahahaha. every state at the bottom of the list is rethuglicon controlled.
24 of the 26 states that failed, the most corrupted states, are republicon controlled with a republicon governor, except new york and maryland........"the dems will destroy this country".. i've been hearing that from the rightwingers for 4 years now, hasn't happened. but it bdid happen because of republicons were in control.
Yes, and what about the Federal government.
Has anything ever been done like this for Canada???
Check out the website www.law.avva.ca to find out what lawyers are doing in our country with impunity. Even our Judges forget "verifiable documents" are necessary in Court proceedings at all levels of judicial process.
Business people, or people coming into our country with dreams of ethical treatment by our (in)justice system had better be very careful when investing believing that this great pillar of any democracy is going to protect your money...
The truth is that NJ will never change, the so called investigation is probably a farce. NJ politicians are the worst in the nation and the average NJ citizens will be paying for their friendly politicans huge retirements benefits for 50 years. Any one that is in politics now in NJ should be outlawed from politics for 50 years that will give the state time to restart the government of the state with new blood. How much justice can the average NJ citizens afford today?? NONE
Gary ... you have to separate corruption from bad government. They're not the same thing. The article didn't say that NJ politicians are the best in the nation or that the pension plan is fair and well-designed. What the article was talking about is the systems, protections and policies in place in ferret out illegal activity in government. Pension double-dipping is abhorrent, but not illegal, in NJ.
I'm sure Christi has cleaned things up, but remember that study was done by a NJ firm. HA! Think there might be a little corruption there? Notice they put that at the very end?
Yes, NJ has a B+ now, but they have so much raw material to work with. And a grading system, like elementary school. Wow. I guess that will clear things up (LOL). How about this-pass/fail. You deal honestly with people and you pass. You lie or milk the system and line your pockets with taxpayer money, you fail and we have a system for kicking you out of office, which we the people can do. it requires careful consideration of all the facts, and an organized intelligent response by we the people to improve the quality of our government and the people we trust to implement that government (a novel idea I know and perhaps alot of work, but it can happen, out founding fathers did it.) We the people actually have a Federal and state constitutions that describe how that can be done, and it must be done. if you wait for others to do it for you, it will not happen. Throughout history, all positive change began with an individual act of civic and moral responsibility, either by a private citizen or an elected or chosen official. the Internet and these comment forums represent a powerful new tool for addressing corruption in our governments (and elsewhere) and ways to combat this corruption. In our country every citizen has the right to hold accountable any elected official's actions and to determine if that person is worthy of their office or not. I quote the Constitution- "The right to petition government for redress of grievances is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals." This obviously doesn't solve all our problems, but it's a good start.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that if you're the leading state IN corruption, you'll obviously be the leading state in fighting it!
It's sad that the state-level corruption in New Jersey is the only thing that gets attention because the local corruption is far worse.
I live in North Dakota. You'd be surprised how much "good old boy" relationships flourish amongst these good Norwegian/Swedish/German-American folks.
I worked in WY for over 27 yrs. and it's the same thing... a good ol boy state. If you have friends in high places, it doesn't take much to circumvent the system. One former building inspector, and one of his former employees, now head building inspector, tried to pull that BS. I took a fire dept inspector with integrity to stop it. Of course being told he couldn't make the former building official comply only made the job more fun.
Time to start making friends.
I disagree, having lived in Jersey for a while, the state and police are pretty corrupt, so much so that I will never go back.
this is petty, fbi turns blind eye to big biz psychopaths, babcock and wilcox,ohio, try them. bid rigging run amock....
New Jersey got the highest score , eh? Pssssht! I wonder who's knee caps got broken in order for them get that score?
heck, you yanks have a easy deal compared to Canada where corruption is rampant! and the GOV is infiltrated to the core! by oc/drug gangsters,,..when 11.3 billion $ can "dissapear", ahem,, and no one cares, and no one even looks at the problems,, now that!! is CORRUPTION!..we win!! ha ha...is this good?? no it aint!!,, but hey,, we dont call this B.latant C.orruption for no reason,,,to quote our! auditor general,,ahem"large sums of money are missing and no one seems to know where it went",,ahem,..yeah, sure pally,,,"no one seems to know",,, rather it should read,,,"no one wants!! to know where it went",..We have truly staggering!! medical corruption,,, huge huge infiltrator payoff scams in play,,OC "pals" being set up, then payed off, all over the place,,,gangs trying to take over GOV in toto,,,7 billion$ per year in illicit drug monies going into our!! economies[and thats just bc!! alone],,,and so it goes,,, so dont feel too bad yanks,,, at least your! people get on it and we see some action,,, in Canada??.. no one "gets on it" and we see ZERO! action,,, as per,,,..I never would have picked NJ though,,, hey just goes to show,,, look at that data, then make up your mind,,or,,"follow the money",, and that takes you to the perps,,,it is not like "arresting" corruption is a rocket science deal,, is it??..