A Daily Mail editorial from the Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Finding, investigating and removing corruption from state government is a laudable goal, and one the Republican-led Legislature seems to take seriously.
As the Gazette-Mail’s Eric Eyre reported Thursday, some state lawmakers are looking into establishing an inspector general’s office, similar to posts in 13 other states and the District of Columbia, that would be responsible for investigating government waste, fraud and corruption. The Legislature is expected to discuss the idea further next month when it meets for interims.
Lawmakers emphasized the discussion is still in the preliminary stages, but something must be done to root out corruption within state government.
“Obviously, there are cost considerations,” said Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan, who serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Public confidence in government and governmental institutions is lower than it should be. We want to give consideration to measures — whether it relates to ethical standards for public officials or this sort of thing — that will enhance public confidence in the institutions of government.”
Transparency and public trust are important considerations. But there are other things lawmakers must keep in mind when establishing an inspector general’s office…
