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Recusal/Withdrawal

Dating and Minimum Requirements

Thursday, March 26th, 2015
Robert Wechsler

An example I often use for why government ethics laws are only minimum requirements is that these laws cannot include friendships or romantic relationships, because these are impossible to define with any precision. When a relationship is not included because it is undefinable, this does not mean that one should not treat this relationship like any other special relationship and withdraw from matters involving that individual. One should go beyond the minimum requirements of the law and...

Recent CA Advisory Opinions re Proximity to Properties Involved in Land Use Matters

Monday, March 16th, 2015
Robert Wechsler

the subsection of my book Local Government Ethics Programs on proximity...

An End-of-Year Miscellany

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014
Robert Wechsler
Call for a State Municipal Lobbying Code
It may be a big holiday week and the end of the year, but there has still been some news on the government ethics front. The Boston Globe has called for the state to institute disclosure requirements for local lobbying. According to the editorial, the only rule now is to file a letter...

Poor Handling of a Conflict of Interest in Ferguson, MO

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014
Robert Wechsler
Partial withdrawal from participation is not a sufficient cure for an apparent conflict of interest. When there is any involvement, it can be seen as providing preferential treatment, as being unfair. Once again this is made clear, in the most controversial local government problem of the year:  a white police officer's killing of a black man in Ferguson, MO.

According to...

Decisions Regarding Lobbyists Sitting on Advisory Boards

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014
Robert Wechsler
I believe that the best solution to the problem of having lobbyists and others seeking special benefits from the government sitting on government advisory boards is to get rid of these advisory boards. Conflicts involving these boards are important because, although they are "merely advisory," their recommendations are often accepted, and their members are often selected (or seen to be selected) in order to reach a particular conclusion. The membership of such boards is difficult for well-...

Problems with Obtaining a Job with a Contractor for One's Agency

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014
Robert Wechsler
The Stamford (CT) Advocate's Angela Carella wrote an excellent column on Saturday about a post-employment (also known as revolving door) situation in Stamford. Entitled "In Ethical Questions, Appearances Matter," the column looks at the many problems with a school board member taking a job with a company that manages the school board's construction...

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