Delaware ranks 22nd out of 50 states for transparency and accountability in government.
That’s according to the State Integrity Investigation a collaboration of the Center for Public Integrity and Public Radio International.
The First State got a C-minus with a numerical score of 70.
And the grade included problems like ineffective reform efforts cozy relationships between politicians and business elites as well as a lack of openness.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that the state often brags about – what’s called – the Delaware Way.
But the paper says that tends to maintain the status quo because power is concentrated in the hands of a core group of politicians who sometimes stay in office for decides and business executives in key industries.
The paper cites the example of Terry Spence former Republican speaker of the House who served for two decades and is now a lobbyist.
