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W. Va Receives “D” Grade In Government Transparency Assessment
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia has received a D grade this year based on an assessment of government transparency and accountability.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the state’s grade dropped from a D-plus last year, according to the Center for Public Integrity’s State Integrity Investigation. However, West Virginia has moved up to 17th from 27th nationally as most states scored poorly in the assessment.
The assessment, which was released Monday, gave failing grades to 11 states, while only three states earned higher than a D-plus.
The summary for West Virginia says the state has “weak open record laws.” The state has also received failing grades for public access to information, political financing, electoral oversight and judicial accountability.
The state ranks eighth for ethics enforcement and 16th for lobbying disclosure nationally.