9: Impossible Mission? A Good Government Nonprofit’s Quest to Create a Delaware Office of the State Inspector General

This chapter presents a case study on how a local nonprofit organization that advocates for open and accountable government has pursued the adoption of a state-level office of inspector general (OIG) by the Delaware General Assembly. It details the events in Delaware that led the Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG) to become concerned about governmental decisions that lacked transparency, accountability, and justice. The concerns spurred DelCOG to launch a campaign for the creation of a state OIG. The organization began by educating itself about OIGs and drafting legislation. DelCOG then marshalled support from legislators, the media, other good government organizations and the general public. Finally, DelCOG members followed the bill’s progress through the legislative sessions, testifying to its need before various legislative committees. As of this writing, the Delaware General Assembly has not yet created an OIG, but DelCOG continues the fight, working to raise the consciousness of the Delaware citizenry for the need of greater government accountability in the First State.