NYS Inspector General Lucy Lang and Good-Government Experts Call for Stronger, More Effective Inspectors General Amid Threats to Independent Oversight
ALBANY, NY — With trust in government at historic lows, a new article by New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang and Art of the Watchdog authors David R. Eichenthal and Daniel L. Feldman makes the case for strengthening inspectors general (IGs) amid continued threats to their independence at all levels.
“The Case for More Independent and Effective Inspectors General” was published in the American University Administrative Law Review, 40 years after the creation of the New York State Inspector General and nearly fifty years since the passage of the federal Inspector General Act of 1978. It offers a roadmap for strengthening IG independence and reimagining oversight for modern government — one that protects watchdogs, sharpens the focus on outcomes, and brings the public into public integrity.
The authors argue that strengthening IGs is not only about protecting watchdogs from interference, but also about ensuring their work has real-world impact — helping government function more effectively, exposing wrongdoing, and making oversight more accessible to the public they serve.
Lucy Lang, New York State Inspector General, said: “All Americans who prize democracy should care about the integrity of independent oversight. I’m proud to have worked alongside two of the preeminent thinkers about good government to imagine a future in which IGs are increasingly impactful.”
Carolyn B. Maloney, former Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said: “When independent oversight is under attack, democracy itself is at risk. Inspectors general are essential to exposing wrongdoing, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring government remains accountable to the people. This article is an urgent call to defend and strengthen the watchdogs our democracy depends on.”
Mark Lee Greenblatt, former Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency and U.S. Department of the Interior Inspector General, said: “Eichenthal, Lang, and Feldman make a strong case for an array of clever, innovative, and common-sense proposals to protect and enhance our government watchdogs, all for the benefit of the American people. As a former inspector general and the Chair of the Council of Inspectors General, I hope Congress and other policymakers will digest this article and implement its constructive ideas.”
Robert P. Storch, First Inspector General of Delaware and former U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General (2022 – 2025), said: "Strong oversight does not happen by accident. It requires offices that are thoughtfully designed, properly equipped, and well trusted to do serious work with independence and accuracy. Lang, Eichenthal, and Feldman offer an important contribution to the effort to help ensure that inspector general offices are capable of meeting this moment and providing enduring value beyond it. As we look to the future, these questions are not abstract — they are central to enabling impactful, independent oversight that fosters public confidence in our government."
Will Fletcher, President of the Association of Inspectors General, said: “This article provides a clear-eyed assessment of the essential need for independent oversight as well as the unprecedented attacks that IGs are confronting from all directions. Mass dismissals, denial of access to government records, and the eroding faith in public institutions are threatening the vital work that inspectors general do in keeping government accountable to the people it serves. In response to these challenges, the authors propose compelling and straightforward solutions to safeguard the Inspector General system and sustain the public's trust. This is an important conversation as we approach the fiftieth anniversary of the Inspector General Act and mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Association of Inspectors General this year.”
Robert A. Cerasoli, Second Inspector General of Massachusetts (1991-2001), First Inspector General of New Orleans (2007-2009), and American University Alumni Achievement Award Recipient, said: “I know firsthand that inspectors general are essential to protecting the integrity of government and strengthening public trust. Their ability to conduct credible, effective oversight depends on the independence to follow the facts wherever they lead. IG Lang, Eichenthal, and Feldman's article offers a thoughtful and necessary roadmap for strengthening the role of inspectors general and ensuring they remain focused on meaningful outcomes for the people they serve.”
Joseph Spinelli, First Inspector General of New York State (1986-1993), said: “An objective and apolitical Inspector General provides effective oversight in our institutions, enjoins impunity, and safeguards integrity and accountability in government.”
###
The Offices of the New York State Inspector General: Fostering confidence in New York State government by promoting integrity and transparency through oversight of covered agencies, their employees, and those doing business with the State.
To report wrongdoing, call 1-800-DO-RIGHT (367-4448) or visit ig.ny.gov.
Follow the office’s work on social media at @NewYorkStateIG.
