In 2012, Gov. Chris Christie was on top of the world. NJ loved his tough, no-nonsense style and his presidential ambitions were promising. NJ ranked No. 1 in the nation, with a grade of B+, in the first State Integrity investigation conducted by Global Integrity and the Center for Public Integrity.
Now, in their second report, NJ dropped more than any other state, earning a D, No. 19 in the nation. Much of this fall from grace can be traced directly to the office of Gov. Christie.
- Ian Shearn’s story for the Center for Public Integrity: A long fall from the top
And the media reaction:
- Star-Ledger editorial: The grades are in: Christie runs a moral dead zone
- Asbury Park Press editorial: NJ come up short on integrity
- Star-Ledger Op-Ed: Under Christie’s thumb, NJ’s strident ethic laws blunted
- NJTV news: Report gives NJ Government a ‘D’ in integrity
- NJ Spotlight: NJ squeaks by with a grade of ‘D’ on 2015 good government report
- NJ 101.5: NJ gets a ‘D’ for Integrity, and Christie’s office blamed
- The Record: Advocacy group’s ranking of N.J. on access, integrity falls sharply