Passing Laws Doesn't Make it So

The Better Government Association has issued its 2008 Alper Integrity Index, which rates state governments based on their laws related to freedom of information, whistleblower protections, campaign finance, open meetings, and conflicts of interest. Tennesseans will be dismayed to note that their state finished in the bottom five.

The top five states were as follows:

New Jersey
Rhode Island
Hawaii
Washington
Louisiana

Texas finished seventh.

One cannot help but wonder about the disconnect between integrity laws and integrity in government when noticing the presence of New Jersey and Louisiana near the top of the list.

Hat Tip: Statenet