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.
Many state agencies, including the Legislature, attorney general's office and auditor, include offices charged with investigating, auditing and reviewing cases of fraud or financial malfeasance. Establishing an inspector general's office could allow these state agencies to work more efficiently, but the office should be set up so that it doesn't duplicate efforts or undermine an agency's ability to conduct its own investigations or audits.
Adding an inspector general's office — not to mention the employees, salaries and state benefits that would come with it — is no doubt an expansion of government. Often, removing government offices or agencies once they're established proves difficult. We urge legislators as they consider this proposal to think about adding a sunset provision, allowing the office to work within certain parameters then abolishing the agency after a set number of years.
That surely would give the office enough time to find and investigate instances of corruption across state agencies without becoming too big a burden for our already cash-strapped state budget.
Inspector general's offices in other states have proven their worth, according to Eyre's report, uncovering millions of dollars in fraud, waste and corruption. It's something West Virginia lawmakers should consider, but we urge them to exercise caution so as not to create another cumbersome bureacracy.