Unpacking the S.W.A.M.P. Index
The final scores for each state can be found in the Transparency Scoring Chart (Excel)
Four states, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Rhode Island received scores of 100 (on a scale of 0-100). Their ethics agencies produce annual reports which compile statistics on the number of complaints received, dismissed, resolved with a finding of no ethics violation, resolved with a finding of an ethics violation, and they make the decisions of the ethics agency publicly available in easily accessible fashion.
Eleven states (Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, West Virginia, California, Delaware, Kansas, Nevada, and Texas) received scores in the top 20th percentile, however, there is still room for improvement.
14 states received a score below 40, while a majority of states analyzed (23) score at or below 50.
The ethics agencies in two states, Mississippi and North Carolina, have absolutely no publicly available information regarding their enforcement actions and did not respond to requests for information.
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