City Ethics | Breaking the oxymoron: "City Ethics"

Conflicts of Interest November 19, 2013

The Conflicts That Arise When Coroners Are Part of a Sheriff Office

A Bakersfield Californian editorial on Saturday points out the kinds of conflict situation that arise when, to save money, a coroner office is brought into a sheriff or police department office.

Enforcement & Complaints November 19, 2013

Why Ethics Proceedings Should Not Be Delayed Due to a Criminal Proceeding

A Hartford Courant editorial on Friday asked a question that is not asked enough, Why delay an ethics investigation until a criminal investigation is complete? Another such question that is not asked enough is, Why delay an ethics proceeding until a criminal proceeding is complete?

Conflicts of Interest November 18, 2013

The Sale of Special Access to Confidential Information

A recent post on Philadelphia's Parents United for Public Education blog raises an issue that pulls together FOI and confidential information issues. Entitled "Is 'right to know' the new 'pay to play'?", the post is about Parents United's attempt to make public a report that contains a list of Philadelphia schools recommended for closure and the criteria used for developing the list.

Ethics Commissions & Administration November 18, 2013

The Extent of Disclosure Necessary to Obtain Ethics Advice

According to an article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Friday, the state ethics board refused to give ethics advice to the Port of South Louisiana regarding whether the hiring of a parish (that is, city) council member would be appropriate, considering that the Port and council work closely together on projects, and the council votes on port-related issues.

Resources & Learning November 15, 2013

Is the Principal Cause of Ethical Misconduct Within Us?

I'm reading an excellent novel right now: Quiet Chaos by Sandro Veronesi, translated from the Italian by Michael F. Moore (Ecco, 2004, 2011).

Conflicts of Interest November 14, 2013

"Unfair Competitive Advantage" in Procurement Matters

A November audit by Tennessee's Comptroller applies the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to a state procurement situation, since there are no relevant state rules. The particular provision involves "unfair competitive advantage." This is a useful concept to keep in mind with respect to local procurement matters, as well.

Conflicts of Interest November 13, 2013

A Judicial Decision Involving the Language of "Interest" and Non-Financial Benefits

As I keep saying, conflicts are about "benefits" and "relationships" rather than about "interests," and this should be reflected in the language of ethics codes. The clash of these two kinds of language is the subject of a recent Virginia Supreme Court decision, Newberry Station Homeowners Assoc. et al v. Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County (April 18, 2013).

November 12, 2013

"Frivolity" in Kenosha, WI

"Frivolous" is a word that, I believe, has no place in a government ethics program. A look at an attempt to add it to Kenosha's ethics program shows how, well, frivolous the word is.

November 12, 2013

Seattle Rejects Public Financing and Embraces District Council Elections

In my estimation, Seattle voters made a big mistake last week. They voted for two related changes to their government. One was a public campaign financing program for citywide council elections. The other was a change from citywide council elections to district council elections, which would leave only two citywide positions.

Local Government Practice November 11, 2013

Formerly Known as Lobbyists . . .

According to a press release from the American League of Lobbyists, the association that lobbies for lobbyists, the membership has voted to change its name and "brand" to the Association of Government Relations Professionals.

It's good that lobbyists do not run election campaigns, because their branding is pretty blind. The acronym for their new name is going to be, whatever they may say, AGRIP, as in "a grip on the necks of elected officials." Couldn't they have seen this coming?

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