The survey by the Chicago-based Better Government Association examined open records laws, open meeting laws, whistle-blower laws, campaign finance requirements and conflict-of-interest laws. It then created a government "integrity index" that put Idaho near the bottom of the list.

"I think we need to stop and do a little introspective, and ask ourselves what's going on," Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, told The Spokesman-Review. "I think there is too much gray area in open meetings."

Idaho tied for last place with a score of zero in the conflict-of-interest category. Idaho is one of just four states with no requirement for state legislators to reveal their personal finances.

The state also did poorly for its open meeting laws.

"It doesn't come as a surprise," Sen. Kate Kelly, D-Boise, said about the survey. "It's just one more indication that this is an area we need to focus on."

In February, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden investigated the State Board of Education amid concerns it had violated the state's open meeting law. He concluded that the board might have violated the law, but he couldn't prove they had "knowingly" done so.

"We're working on some improvements" to the law, Wasden said. "That's an issue that we're trying to address right now. We're wrestling with exactly that."

Idaho did better for its whistle-blower laws, ranking 9th in the nation. The state ranked 24th in open records laws, and 29th in campaign finance rules.

"It's very important that government in this state operate under the statutes as they're written," said Wasden. "And it's important in terms of maintaining the integrity of our governmental systems and our citizens' ability to interact with their government."

 ©2008 The Olympian