Virginia gets an F on ethics

March 20, 2012

A State Integrity Investigation by the Center for Public Integrity into safeguards for government integrity and transparency gives Virginia an "F" and ranks us 47th out of 50 states.

Progressive Point: Virginians expect an open and transparent government that is responsive to inquiries. But while sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant, it turns out Virginia has very little of it. A State Integrity Investigation reveals a severe lack of ethics rules in our state government. While lawmakers debate and pass hundreds of laws each year effecting their constituents, they've failed to make and enforce rules for themselves.

Our representatives frequently conduct the business of our Commonwealth behind closed doors, with no recourse for transparency beyond legislators' goodwill. A strong democracy relies on informed citizens and open government. Our representatives have an obligation to be open and accountable, but right now they're getting a failing grade.

Get the Facts: The Center for Public Integrity's State Integrity Investigation reveals:

• The investigation gave Virginia an overall grade of F, 55%, and a rank of 47 out of all 50 states. The Commonwealth received an F in 9 of the investigation's 14 sections: Public Access to Information, Political Financing, Executive Accountability, Judicial Accountability, Legislative Accountability, State Budget Processes, Lobbying Disclosure, State Pension Fund Management, and Ethics Enforcement Agencies


• Virginia's State Corporation commission, "which regulates businesses, utilities, financial institutions, insurance, railroads," is exempt from Virginia's Freedom of Information Act.


• Virginia has no limits on campaign donations and their disclosure is only loosely monitored.


• Virginia's lobbyists' disclosure forms are not audited and many of their actions are often unreported. Also, Virginia's "part-time lawmakers have one of the shortest meeting schedules in the country -- 30 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years. At that speed, lobbyists of necessity have been elevated from influence peddlers to trusted advisors and authors of laws, according to some veteran observers of the legislative process." Furthermore, unlike their work on bills, lobbyists' work on regulations (which is substantial due to the short meeting schedule) goes unreported.

Forward to a Friend via email

Share on Facebook

Tweet it: Virginia gets an "F" on ethics http://bit.ly/GAYOIA via @ProgressVA