State Gets Poor Marks For Openness, Anti-Corruption laws

Maryland ranks 40 out of 50 states when it comes to open government and anti-corruption laws and practices, according to a report released today by the State Integrity Investigation project.

The state, with it's grade of 61 percent, performed better than Nevada, Michigan, North Dakota, South Carolina, Maine, Virginia, Wyoming, South Dakota and Georgia, according to the report released by a group that includes The Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity, and Public Radio International.

Four states— New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, California, and Nebraska—received a grade of B. Overall, however, the group wrote there were no winners in its study.

The organization graded the Maryland and 49 other states on 14 different categories. Most, but not all, of the grades were D or worse.

Highlights of the report include C grades for financing of political campaigns, audits of state agencies and the state budget process.

Low lights include an F for access to public information, executive and legislative accountability, management of the state pension fund and the state insurance commission.