PENNSYLVANIA

Ethics Contact Person:

John Contino, Executive Director, Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission (COGEL Member)

Address:
Administrative Division
State Ethics Commission
309 Finance Building
P.O. Box 11470
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Main Office Number: (717) 783-1610

Synopsis of State Ethics Program:
In 1978, the Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Act established the state's Ethics Commission. The Commission enforces the state's ethics code and shares enforcement authority for the state's lobbying disclosure law. Additionally, the Commission's event calendar is available online, as well as descriptions of the Commission's publications. The Commission's website, www.ethics.state.pa.us, includes a number of resources relating to ethics and lobbying regulation. The website includes links to the Pennsylvania Department of State and Office of Attorney General, which also have duties under Pennsylvania's lobbying disclosure law.

The State Ethics Commission provides training to public officials within Pennsylvania. Topics that are covered during the three-hour session include how to avoid conflicts of interest, financial disclosure, restricted activities, jurisdiction, the intent of the Ethics Act and relevant advisory opinions. The Ethics Commission publishes an annual report that includes budget analysis, FAQs, and provides guidelines for public officials.

Common Cause has a chapter in the state. Critical reform efforts that Common Cause is pursuing in Pennsylvania include government records, cleaning up election funding, gerrymandering, initiatives and referendums, and fixing the governing systems. The Common Cause website for the state can be found at www.commoncause.org/pennsylvania.

Largest city: Philadelphia

Philadelphia Ethics Contact Person: J. Shane Creamer, Interim Executive Director, Philadelphia Board of Ethics; Anna Verna, Chair, City Council Committee on Ethics

Address: Anna Verna's Address:
City Hall, Room 405
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
Main Office Numbers:
Philadelphia Board of Ethics: 215-686-9450
Anna Verna: (215) 686-3412

Synopsis of City Ethics Program: The Philadelphia Board of Ethics was recently established to review conflict of interest issues. The Committee on Ethics of the City Council investigates ethical allegations against City Council members.

Largest county: Lycoming

The website for Lycoming County can be found here.

Helpful Contact Information:

Address:
General Information
Court House
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
Main Office Number: (570) 327-2200

Mitchell W. Goldberg, intern, General Counsel's Office, City of Jacksonville Florida 7/5/07