Study: Pa. officials stingy with their financial info

Pennsylvania ranks in the bottom third of the 50 states in its financial disclosure requirements for public officials, according to a study by the Center for Public Integrity, a Washington-based research organization.

The group gave Pennsylvania a failing grade of "F" for holes in what the state requires public officials to disclose about their personal finances. Pennsylvania's disclosure laws were 34th among the 50 states, according to the group's ranking system.

The most serious shortcomings in the Pennsylvania law, according to the study, permit public officials to identify various investments in stocks and real estate without revealing what the investments are worth.

The group also faulted Pennsylvania for not requiring the same disclosures from spouses that are required from public officials.

A spokesman for Gov. Rendell, Doug Rohanna, criticized the study for not recognizing the governor's voluntary release of his tax returns to reporters, or increased disclosures that Rendell has required by executive order from his own appointees.

State Rep. Josh Shapiro, leader of a recent effort to reform House rules, said the House leadership plans to consider changes in the state public-records law that could encompass tougher disclosure requirements.

New Jersey got relatively high marks for its disclosure laws, ranked 9th best in the country. The Garden State lost points for not requiring public officials to identify clients of their private businesses - a hole in Pennsylvania law as well.

The state of Washington got top marks for its disclosure laws. Four states - Idaho, Michigan, Utah and Vermont - got zeroes for failing to require any financial disclosures from their governors. *