The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) would be an independent, nonpartisan office with the authority to investigate state agencies and state-funded entities for fraud, waste, mismanagement, and corruption. The state estimates that the OIG will cost around $1.5 million each year, which represents around 0.025% of the state's $6 billion budget for next year. There are 35 states with an OIG at the state or local level, and these offices have recovered billions of dollars, far exceeding the cost to fund them. In addition, a Delaware OIG would provide a critical mechanism to ensure public trust in how our government operates.

SS 1 for SB 21 passed out of the Senate Executive Committee unanimously, but it has since been stuck in the Senate Finance Committee. Once the bill is released from committee, it can proceed to a vote by the full Senate.

Email your legislators now and ask them to pass this important bill. The Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG) has been the driving force behind this effort and has more information linked below.