WV LAWMAKERS GET AN "F" FOR OPENNESS

(09/24/2004)

West Virginia lawmakers get an "F" for openness about their finances and backgrounds, according to a national report compiled by the Center for Public Integrity. "It's one of the worst in the country for providing information about state legislators' jobs," said Leah Rush, a project worker. "Like my boss always says, 'We know more about a toaster than our politicians, but we can be burned by both,' " she said. Learning how delegates and senators really voted on issues is almost impossible. West Virginia almost doubles the national average for having lawmakers who are employed by other governmental entities. The Center said discovering conflicts of interest would be very difficult in West Virginia with the public being provided little information. The state also has a high number — 42 percent — of lawmakers serving on committees that oversee their own business interests. The state could be looking at revamping the Ethics Commission, which is now held accountable to legislators.

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