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Many to blame for social programs mess
Karen Augé of The Denver Post used state records to show that “nearly every agency, contractor and department that touched the state’s new $200 million computer benefits system in some way contributed to its debacle.” Colorado’s new system was a year late when it came online last fall, and the contractor and state officials have…
Read MoreState senator makes big bucks with bank
Craig R. McCoy, Jennifer Lin and Mario F. Cattabiani of The Philadelphia Inquirer detailed the relationship between state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo and the bank he heads, finding that “PSB Bancorp Inc. has served one man especially well: its chairman, Sen. Fumo. The bank paid Fumo $709,800 last year. For a few years, it provided…
Read MoreN.C. judges influenced by local lawyers
Ames Alexander of The Charlotte Observer, working with database editor Ted Mellnik, investigated the relationship between lawyers and judges in the North Carolina’s judicial district that is most lenient on drinking and driving. “District judges there acquitted suspects in more than 87 percent of the DWI trials in which they rendered a verdict. Statewide, the…
Read MoreIncentives pay millions, while companies fall short
Mike McAndrew and Michelle Breidenbach of The (Syracuse) Post-Standard report on how New York Governor George Pataki’s administration gives millions of dollars to businesses that promise to hire people, but often don’t. The Post-Standard uses the state’s Freedom of Information Law to obtain financial accounts, as well as records on companies’ penalties. “The newspaper’s review…
Read MoreFund-raising costs average at state college
Lynn Campbell, Erin Jordan and Madelaine Jerousek of The Des Moines Register analyzed fund-raising costs by state universities, finding that “foundations at ISU and the University of Iowa are about average in the amount they spend on salaries, travel and other overhead to raise money for their universities.” The two schools spend about 11 or…
Read MoreConfusing stats help mask plant deaths
Lise Olsen of the Houston Chronicle continues the Chronicle’s investigation into the 1995 explosion at the BP oil refinery. Olson used OSHA data to uncover why few deaths had been attributed to refineries in the past. “Increasingly, the accuracy of government safety statistics is undermined by the changing work force. These days, up to half…
Read MoreTop 10 businesses top $1 billion in St. Petersburg
Helen Huntley of the St. Petersburg Times analyzed the cities top 10 companies finding that, for the first time ever, all 10 are more than $1 billion in revenue. “Eight of the 10 increased revenues by double digits last year. Their average return on equity was 20 percent.” The story includes graphics that provide details…
Read MoreDelay gives more to colleagues than any other legislator
Jonathan Salant of Bloomberg Markets analyzed Federal Election Commission records finding that House Majority Leader Tom Delay “gave more money to U.S. congressional candidates than any lawmaker in the last decade … the Texas representative has contributed $3.5 million to 432 congressional candidates …” After Delay, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is next in helping…
Read MoreBad bridges plague Oklahoma
Steve Lackmeyer and John Perry of The Oklahoman used state and federal data to find that “fixing Oklahoma’s bridges — the nation’s worst — would cost taxpayers billions of dollars. All proposed remedies fall woefully short.” The state has had the highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges for at least three years. The bulk of…
Read MoreFront-runner grabs majority of contributions
Andrew Conte and Mark Houser of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review analyzed and mapped campaign contributions for the Pittsburgh mayoral race. They found that “nearly two-thirds of the $1.2 million raised by front-runner Bob O’Connor … has come from outside the city.” A lot of O’Conner’s contributions were found to have come in large chunks. The story…
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