Ethics Environments | City Ethics

Resources & Learning June 13, 2015

"City of Hope," A Great Local Government Ethics Film

I was fortunate today to see an American film focused almost entirely on local government ethics. Although it is an excellent film, it has not been included in City Ethics' (but not my) Top Ten Ethics Films list or in any of the comments suggesting additions. The film is City of Hope (1991), written and directed by the great John Sayles, most of whose films involve important ethical quandaries.

Ethics Codes & Reform March 3, 2011

Three Ways of Affecting Ethics in the Government Workplace

Despite the many differences between corporate and government ethics, sometimes the corporate ethics world has a lot to teach the government ethics world, especially considering that corporate ethics has a zillion times the personnel and budget to work with.

Ethics Codes & Reform November 2, 2010

An Excellent Definition of "Corruption," and America's Fall in the Corruption Index

A week ago, Transparency International published its fifteenth annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which scores countries on the basis of a variety of independent reports on and surveys about corruption, including those from the World Bank and other development banks, and those surveying journalists, business executives, and international organization staff.

Conflicts of Interest August 18, 2010

The Fiduciary Duty of an Appointing Official

According to an article in yesterday's New York Times, the New York Governor’s Task Force on Public Authorities Reform has filed its report (not yet available online) on the implementation of the Public Authorities Reform Act of 2009, whose provisions are summarized in a separate document.

Local Government Practice August 15, 2010

Simultaneous, Political Appointments and the Ethical Culture of an Authority

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) has been getting a lot of heat lately. The bi-state organization operates four toll bridges and a commuter system between Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.

Local Government Practice June 12, 2010

The Ethics of Teachers and Politicians

According to an article in yesterday's New York Times, it is coming out that more teachers and school administrators have been involved in cheating on the test scores that may not only give them bonuses, but may determine whether their schools continue to exist. One can argue ad infinitum about the pressures, temptations, and morals involved. But one thing is certain: the problems were not created by the teachers and administrators.

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