Alabama receives a D+ grade in 2015 state integrity investigation

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Center for Public Integrity has updated its annual study to find out how each state ranks when it comes to public integrity. Overall, Alabama’s recent rankings in the investigation gave it a grade of a D+, 67, which, while dismal, actually puts the Yellowhammer State in the middle of the pack.

The State Integrity Investigation is a comprehensive assessment of state government accountability and transparency. The project uses extensive research by reporters in each state to grade and rank the states based on existing laws and systems they have in place to deter corruption and an analysis of how well these laws are implemented.

Surprisingly, even with a score of 67, Alabama ranks in the top ten for states who perform with the most integrity. Alaska, the highest rank state, only received the mediocre score of a C., while 11 states received a grade of F.

Alabama’s overall score for 2015 is lower than what it received the first time the project was published, in 2012, when it was given a C-, although its ranking that year was 17th. The article references several aspects that correlate with the low score, including the prosecution of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard.

Two of the lowest scores for Alabama were in the categories of political financing and access to information, with the Institute stating that the state has few restrictions and regulations ensuring integrity among these areas.

Alabama’s overall integrity score breaks down into the following categories: