City EthicsBreaking the oxymoron: "City Ethics"
Poor Draftmanship and Poor Ethics
Note: I completely rewrote this post after Mark Davies set me straight about the state law on which disclosure forms an official must file.
Conflicts of Interest
July 10, 2010
A Solution to the Problems of Local Government Attorney Ethics Advice
There is nothing more important in local government ethics than timely,
independent, professional ethics advice.
July 9, 2010
Lots of Wrongs, Little Right
How many wrongs does it take to make a right?
Local Government Practice
July 8, 2010
Local Officials Dealing with the Unethical Conduct of Other Local Officials
A situation in the city of Alameda, CA once again points out that government officials dealing with the possibly unethical conduct of other government officials is
not a good thing.
Conflicts of Interest
July 8, 2010
The Many Ways in Which Lawyers Can Do Nothing About an Unethical Environment
When it comes to government ethics, too often lawyers are nowhere to be
seen, unless they are the ones saying that unethical conduct is legal.
Far too often, lawyers do not use their knowledge, their strong, independent
personalities, and their professional
obligations to stand up to, or at least question, those acting
unethically.
July 7, 2010
Palm Beach County Update
Conflicts of Interest
July 6, 2010
Officials Accepting Tickets to Events Where They Have a Ceremonial Function
"Ceremonial function" is one of those terms that is found in many local
government ethics codes (but not the City
Ethics Model Code). However, it is rarely defined except, occasionally, in advisory opinions. The term is generally used to exclude certain gifts from
being either disclosed or considered gifts at all. The result is lots
of free, undisclosed tickets to sporting events, especially for mayors,
and then a minor scandal.
Ethics Commissions & Administration
July 5, 2010
Legislators' Independence of Ethics Enforcement
On Independence Day weekend, it's worth remembering that independence
does not come cheap, and that there are some things that are more
important than independence.
Ethics Codes & Reform
July 1, 2010
False Statements in Elections
Honesty, although central to ethics, is not central to government
ethics. The reason for this is that honesty, or falsity, is so complex,
it is almost impossible to define or enforce. And first amendment
freedom of speech places so many limitations on government regulation
of expression short of libel (the intentional attempt to falsely
destroy another's reputation). Life is full of mistakes
and misreadings, half-truths and kernels of truth, and these do not
constitute falsity. Honesty comes in more shades of gray than a
black-and-white movie.
Transparency & Disclosure
June 30, 2010
Guidelines for Transparency in Local Government Legislative Redistricting
The great majority of what is written about legislative redistricting
focuses on state and federal redistricting. But many cities, even some
towns, have districts too, and resetting district boundaries is an
important political process designed to prevent public participation and to undermine public trust.