Ethics Articles

Government Ethics

The Influence of Partisan Politics on Government

The Public Sector Roundtable hosts former Republican Congressman Mickey Edwards

View From Sacramento

Materials from a meeting of the Public Sector Roundtable on how state and local government can work together

Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls in Government Service

Questions that public officials should ask before making a decision
Joe Simitian and Judy Nadler

How the State Legislature Impacts Local Government

How empathy can help state and local legislators work together more effectively
Joe Simitian and Judy Nadler

How the State Legislature Impacts Local Government

California politician Joe Simitian talks about how different levels of state and local government can work together.
Miriam Schulman

The Dhaka Factory Fire: Who Is Responsible?

Is the Bangladeshi government or the factory owner more at fault for a fire that killed 112 people?
Saayeli Mukherji and Noah Rickling

Why do candidates lie?

How citizens can hold candidates to higher standards of honesty
Judy Nadler

Talking Turkey: A Case Study on Government Ethics

When a mayor participates in soliciting donations for a local foodbank, is he giving merchants the impression that they can't say no?
Judy Nadler

Transparency, Trust, and Campaign Finance

FPPC Chair Ann Ravel explores the impact of Citizens United on campaign finance in California
Miriam Schulman

What "Wood" You Do? A Government Ethics Case

The fire chief takes wood from city trees for his personal use.
Judy Nadler

Ethics in High Pressure Campaigns

Podcast of a Commonwealth Club discussion featuring Center Executive Director Kirk O. Hanson
Kirk Hanson

Ethics in a Post RDA California

Public Sector Roundtable meeting on the end of redevelopment agencies

California Without Redevelopment Monies: The Ethical Issues

Successes and missteps of redevelopment agencies and what their demise will mean
Miriam Schulman

San Jose Moving Ahead Without Redevelopment Money

Richard Keit, managing director of the San Jose Redevelopment Successor Agency, talks with Judy Nadler, senior fellow in government ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, about the end of Redevelopment Agencies. Keit argues that California has lost its single best tool for redevelopment. He describes working with the oversight boards. which are in charge of dissolving the agencies. Keit also discusses how cities must make difficult choices between good projects now that redevelopment monies are exhausted.
Richard Keit

Impact of Redevelopment on Downtown San Jose

Bert Robinson, managing director for content of the Bay Area News Group, talks with Markkula Center Senior Fellow in Government Ethics Judy Nadler about the role of redevelopment in bringing San Jose "back from the dead." They discuss the fall-out from the dissolution of redevelopment agencies in California and whether the state discontinued the agencies solely to save money.
Bert Robinson

Ethical Challenges in the City Manager/City Councilmember Relationship

Three scenarios depicting typical ethical issues that arise between councilmembers and managers
Frank Benest

Effective Council/Manager Relations

Materials from a meeting of the Pubic Sector Roundtable
city manager, city council

Do's and Don'ts for City Managers and City Councilmembers

Advice for new city officials from an advisor to the International City/County Management Association
Frank Benest

Ten New Rules for Elected Officials in Times of Economic Meltdown

Senior adviser to the International City/County Management Association advises public servants to focus on the core.
Frank Benest

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: Ethical Challenges for Local Government

Cities debate the best way to deal with medical marijuana
Miriam Schulman

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: Ethical Challenges for Cities

Ethical questions for municipal officials on allowing, siting, and monitoring medical marijuana dispensaries

Social Media Create Ethical Dilemma

Former fraternity brother "Derek" asks "Mike" for a recommendation. Should Mike mention the exploits chronicled on Derek's Facebook page?
Judy Nadler

Toward Stronger Ethics in Government Relations

The senior counselor to the chairman at Hill & Knowlton discusses lobbying.
Tom Hoog

When Is a Contribution a Bribe?

A popular local businesswoman and philanthropist is found guilty of "pay to play" contributions to the mayor's reelection campaign. Should charities still accept her contributions?
Judy Nadler

Leadership in Government Ethics (video)

Senior Fellow in Government Ethics speaks on leadership around values at a national conference at SMU.
Judy Nadler

What's in a Name?

The (fictional) town of Berkshire has named a plaza after its long-time mayor. Now the mayor has been convicted of taking kickbacks. Should the city change the plaza name?
Judy Nadler

Mayor Becomes an Undercover Citizen Journalist

Mayor Mike Winderof West Valley City, Utah, assumed an adopted identity to write the "good news" about his city in the local newspaper.
Judy Nadler

Friendly Advice or Quid pro Quo

An employee of the Planning Department "recommends" particular contractors who offer him kickbacks.
Judy Nadler

Fairness and the California Redistricting Process

Redistricting Commissioner Angelo Ancheta and SCU Professor of Political Science Janet Flammang discuss the evolution of the new California plan.
Miriam Schulman

Brief History of Redistricting in California Since 1970

SCU Professor of Political Science Janet Flammang traces the often contentious process of drawing new district lines.
Janet Flammang

Fairness in Redistricting: Interview With a California Commissioner (video)

Center Senior Fellow in Government Ethics Nadler discusses the challenges that faced the California Citizens Redistricting Commission with Commissioner Ancheta
Judy Nadler and Angelo Ancheta

Republic Lost (podcast)

An analysis of the corrupting power of money in American politics
Lawrence Lessig

Blog, Tweet, and Post: Proceed With Caution

Social media tools can pose ethical problems for lawmakers
Judy Nadler

Old Guard vs. New Guard

A dynamic new city manager comes into conflict with the previous city manager, now elected to the city council. One policy they disagree about: the need for a city code of ethics and values.
Judy Nadler

Land Use Decisions and Community Values

In this case study, city council must decide whether to allow a restaurant that features "scantily clad" waitresses to occupy a vacant storefront.
Judy Nadler

State Auditor's Report: Waste and Fraud or Checks and Balances?

Audit intended to identify and correct problems.
Judy Nadler

Budgeting in Tough Economic Times

The August 2011 meeting of the Public Sector Roundtable focused on ethics and budgeting for city officials

Budgeting in a Time of Fiscal Crisis

San Jose City Councilmember Sam Liccardo lays out the ethical issues for public officials when they must make difficult budget decisions.
Miriam Schulman

Budgeting Is About Values

John Ellwood, professor of public policy at UC-Berkeley, discusses the difficulty in reaching consensus about values
Miriam Schulman

Handling Council Critics

Does incivility violate a city's code of ethics?
Jason Wu

What's OK in a Campaign Blog

Vitriolic posts from a hostile blogger lead a candidate's supporters to counter-attack.
Judy Nadler

Ethics, Gifts, and Public Officials

A video conversation on gifts to public officials and public agencies.
Roman Porter, Michael Martello, Melinda Hamilton,

New Unavoidable Ethical Dilemmas for Elected Officials

The use of social media and new forms of conflicts of interest top the update of ethical issues facing locally elected public servants.

'Fair' is in the eye of the beholder

The public pension reform debate hinges of different definitions of the concept of fairness.
Judy Nadler

How the Laws of California Are Really Made: Sponsored Legislation

Ethics and Lobbying in Washington and at the State Level

The vice president for government affairs at Applied Materials outlines an agenda for ethical and effective lobbying.
Gary Fazzino

Ethics at Noon: Ethics, Lobbying, and How the Laws of California Are Really Made

Karen de Sa, reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, and Judy Nadler, senior fellow in government ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, discuss the influence of lobbyists on lawmaking in California. Nadler is the former mayor of Santa Clara, Calif. De Sa is the author of a Mercury News series on Sponsored Bills in Sacramento. Participants will include members of the Center's Public Sector Roundtable.

Oil Spill (podcast)

Managing possibly catastrophic risk
Emerging Issues Group

August 6, 2010 Roundtable: Government Pensions

Summary of a Public Sector Roundtable Meeting on Government Pensions

Thinking Ethically About Government Pensions

Various ethical approaches are used to raise pertinent questions about the best way to accomplish public pension reform
Miriam Schulman

Deep Pockets

Materials on how local governments weigh whether or not to defend against litigation

Deep Pockets in the Public Sector

When should a city defend against litigation, and when should it settle? A look at the ethical issues.
Miriam Schulman

Public Sector Roundtable Ethics Hot Spots, May 2010

Challenges facing public officials

Gifts to Lawmakers and Public Employees: Evolving Policies

The director of the California Fair Political Practices Commission and government officials discuss behested payments, transparency, and gift policies

Gifts to Public Officials

Discussion from a meeting of the Public Sector Roundtable

When Official Roles Conflict

A set of case studies on conflicts of interest for local officials

Whom Do I Represent? Local and Regional Public Service

A case study of a councilmember serving on the county transit board
Judy Nadler

Serving the Greater Good: A Conflict Between Local and State Responsibilities

A case study of a councilmember invited to serve on a statewide task force
Judy Nadler

Social Media: Possibilities and Challenges for Local Governments

Ethical issues concerning the uses of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other social media by government officials

Web 1 and 2: Ethical Issues for Government Officials

A look at access and transparency issues created by the use of social media by public servants

Ethics: Beyond Codes and Disclosure Forms

Presentation to 32 Speakers of State Houses of Representatives at the 2009 National Speakers Conference hosted by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, Sea Island, Georgia. October 22, 2009
Kirk Hanson

Successfully Serving as a City Council Member and a Non-profit Board Member

Three brief cases illustrating conflicts between non-profit and public service
Robin Lowe, Judy Nadler, Eric Vail

Two Views of a Budget

A case study for state officials on resolving a budget crisis
Judy Nadler

Red Light, Green Light for State Legislators

Brief cases highlight ethical dilemmas for state officials
Judy Nadler

When Doing Good May Be Doing Wrong

Four scenarios on potential conflicts between public service and work with non-profits
Judy Nadler

Serving Two Masters: Discussion of the Cases

Responses to cases illustrating conflicts of interest

Emerging Ethical Issues for Local Government Officials

Serving Two Masters: Government and Non-Profit Service

LeeAnn Pelham, executive director of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission, looks at potential conflicts of interest.

Ethics and the Assessor

PowerPoint presentation for the California Assessors Association 106th Annual Conference on doing the publics business with transparency and integrity
Kirk O. Hanson

Do We Have an Obligation to Vote?

An analysis of whether it is possible to make a rational case for the individual's responsibility to vote.
Scott LaBarge, introduced by Judy Nadler

Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy

Transparency, land use and planning, and civic engagement top the list of information needs for citizens to participate effectively in decision making.
Judy Nadler

Meeting the Public's Information Needs

Center Senior Fellow in Government Ethics joins other community leaders in a discussion of the information needs of communities in a democracy.

Dealing Ethically With the Press: A Guide for Public Officials

Four rules of thumb for government officials in working with the media.
from a workshop with Jerry Ceppos

On Ethics and Immigration

Arizona Governor looks at ethical issues in developing policy on illegal immigration.
Janet Napolitano

Putting Away the Gifts

The Center's senior fellow in government ethics recommends a no-gifts policy for public officials.
Judy Nadler

Sunshine reform

Testimony to the San Jose City Council on improving government transparency.
Judy Nadler

Setting the Stage for Problems

Should a public official solicit charitable contributions from businesses that are under his supervision?
Roey Rahmil

Election Irregularities

A newly elected mayor decides whether to contest a citation for election code violations.
Roey Rahmil

On the Record

What is a former supervisor's duty to reveal about past poor judgments by a candidate for public office.
Roey Rahmil

Ethics and City Hall

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed outlines reforms.
Suruchi Bhutani

San Jose Sunshine Reform Task Force Update

The task force considers recommendations for improving transparency and participation.

Whistle Blowing in the Public Sector

An introduction to the ethical issues surrounding government whistle blowers.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Ethics of Leaking

How to tell whether a leak is worth publishing--or taking seriously
Kirk O. Hanson and Jerry Ceppos

Future of Government Ethics: There's Hope

Senior Fellow in Government Ethics Judy Nadler extends the work of the Center into the classroom.
Miriam Schulman

Codes of Ethics and Values

Access to a wide variety of resources on how cities can develop ethical codes
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Personal Lives of Public Officials

Ethical issues at the boundary between a politician's personal and public behavior
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Civility

An introduction to the ethical issues for public officials.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Civil Disagreement

A case exploring the limits of public debate
Judy Nadler

Name Calling on the Council

When the mayor and a councilmember disagree vociferously, is it unacceptable conduct or just the normal rough and tumble of politics?
Judy Nadler

Gifts and Bribes

An introduction to the ethical issues for public officials.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

No Such Thing as a Free Ticket

A case involving a gift to a government official
Judy Nadler

Political Perk or Part of the Job?

A mayor must decide whether to accept VIP treatment at the ballpark.
Judy Nadler

Ethics and Leadership Camp for Public Officials 2006

Twenty-two city councilmembers, ethics commissioners, and other government officials gathered for the first summer workshop on instilling a culture of ethics in local government.
Judy Nadler

Councilmember and the Manager

A city councilmember must decide if he can impartially review the performance of the city manager.
Judy Nadler

Relationships Between Elected Officials and Staff

An introduction to the ethical issues that arise between city or county staff and councilmembers or supervisors.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Favoritism, Cronyism, and Nepotism

An introduction to the ethical issues presented by favoritism in government.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Introduction to Government Ethics

Basic material on the most common ethical issues in public service
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Conflicts of Interest in Government

An introduction to the ethical dilemmas posed by conflicts of interest in the public sphere.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Campaign Ethics

An introduction to campaign ethics including ethical dilemmas, cases, and links
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Evolution of Human Rights Norms and Machinery

Bertrand G. Ramcharan, former United Nations High Commissioner, offers his perspectives on the evolution of human rights norms and machinery.
Bertrand G. Ramcharan

The Case of the Friendly Consultant

A mayor wonders whether a friendly lunch is actually an occasion for lobbying.
Judy Nadler

Lobbying Ethics

An introduction to the ethical considerations in lobbying the government
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

Open Meetings: A Case Study

An executive session makes citizens question a city council's decision on rezoning.
Judy Nadler

Open Meetings, Sunshine Laws, and Transparency in Government

An introduction to the topic including definitions, dilemmas, cases, and links.
Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman

The Candidate's Crisis of Conscience

A candidate for city council must decide how frank to be in endorsement interviews.
Judy Nadler

What Would a Real Ethics Refresher Course Look Like?

Advice for the Congress and White House about ethical leadership.
Judy Nadler

On-Line Resources in Government Ethics

Links to articles, codes, and other materials about government ethics programs.

Campaign Ethics and Voter Guidelines

Materials on campaign ethics prepared in conjunction with the city of Livermore, Calif.
Judy Nadler

Campaign Ethics Challenge

A candidate faces a last-minute attack from an opponent.
Judy Nadler

The Case of the Extra Mile

Ethics case addressing the work-life balance for public employees.
Kirk O. Hanson

The Case of the Mangled Data

Ethics case addressing the responsibility of public employees to provide accurate information.
Kirk O. Hanson

Creating a Culture of Ethics in the Public Sector

Remarks on government ethics presented at the World Bank
Judy Nadler

Government Ethics Cases for City Finance Directors

Scenarios ask city finance directors to give a red or green light.
Judy Nadler

Nadler Named Woman of the Year

Center Senior Fellow in Government Ethics Judy Nadler has been selected as 'Woman of the Year' for the 22nd Assembly District.

Home Run or Foul Ball

What are the ethical issues to consider when a city manager is dealing with city contracts?
Judy Nadler

Our debt to the future: Will our children pay for the negative consequences of our current choices

When is it appropriate to ask the next generation to pay bills we incur today?
Judy Nadler

Ethics and Public Contracting

Conflicts of interest in public contracting cost public confidence.
Judy Nadler

Ethical Considerations for Candidates and Their Supporters

The task of raising money for a political campaign can be so overwhelming that many qualified individuals don't run for office simply because they don't want to ask for money. Here are some ethical considerations to consider in fundraising for your campaign, or on someone else's behalf.
Judy Nadler

Campaign Ethics: Considerations for Candidates and Their Supporters

Key issues related to fundraising, communications, and campaign conduct
Judy Nadler

Ethics in Contracting

Judy Nadler, senior fellow in government ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, speaks at League of California Cities, US conference of Mayors, and Fire Academy.

Will city's ethics reform bear fruit? City Task Force Could Learn a Lesson from Picking Cherries

As San Jose's task force on ethics meets to review and revise ethics provisions of the San Jose Municipal Code, Judy Nadler offers the following observations on some similarities between picking cherries and addressing government ethics.
Judy Nadler

Red Light, Green Light

Ten ethical dilemmas facing elected officials.
Judy Nadler

A Tale of Two Downtowns

How should a Vietnamese-American councilmember balance the needs of his own ethnic group and the needs of other segments of the community?
Judy Nadler

Supreme Court on Educational Diversity

From my standpoint as a constitutional law professor, a particularly interesting strand of the Grutter majority opinion is the reliance upon the First Amendment to uphold the right of public universities to value student body racial diversity.
Margaret M. Russell

Politics, the Supreme Court, and Affirmative Action

The decision in Grutter v. Bollinger that it was constitutionally permissible for public colleges and universities to consider race in student admissions was transparently political, in the sense that the outcome was grounded more in the political choices of the justices and the surrounding political context than in any objective legal principles.
Brad Joondeph

Shocking thought: Get serious about ethics

What steps can be taken to rebuild public confidence in the independence of elected officials?
Judy Nadler

Ethical Political Leadership: Speaking Hard Truths

Some part of the responsibility for the unwillingness to speak the hard truths must rest with the public who are woefully mistrustful and uninformed about how government works.
Judy Nadler

Allocating and Stewarding Water Resources

The issues surrounding water-its availability, price, use, quality, and ownership-are affecting local governments and citizens on a regular basis.
Judy Nadler

Unavoidable Ethical Dilemmas of Newly-Elected Local Officials

As part of the Center's commitment to government ethics, Senior Fellow Judy Nadler convened 13 mayors and council members for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties to share the top ethical dilemmas confronting every person who comes into local elected office.
Judy Nadler

Alice Hayes and Affordable Housing

A new city councilmember must weigh the community's need for affordable housing with the desire to preserve open space.
Judy Nadler

Business as Usual

A retired city engineer goes back to work for the city as an independent contractor. When he bids for a job, a councilmember raises questions.
Judy Nadler

Case of the Big Box Retailer

A revenue shortfall causes a city council to consider the tax benefits from a big-box retailer versus the potential harm to established small businesses.
Judy Nadler

The Mayor and the Manager

A case exploring the proper relationship between city councilmembers and city staff.
Judy Nadler

Old Friends and Conflicts of Interest

How do relationships with "old friends" change when someone is elected to public office?
Judy Nadler

Sex in the City

Is an elected official's personal life legitimately "private"?
Judy Nadler

Right of Way

As the California coastline changes because of the ocean's continual pounding, the question is asked who has access to the fluctuating landscape?
Rob Elder

Ethical Implications of California's Recall Election

A panel discussion with SCU professors of political science.
Ethics at Noon

Budget Crunch Ethics

A California State Assembly member discusses the ethical choices legislators face during a budget crisis.
Joe Simitian

State's accounting tricks cheat future taxpayers

The responsibility of one generation is shifted to the next by accounting gimmicks.
William K. Black

The Case of the Sikh Temple

Plans for a 94,000 square foot structure raise questions about the zoning of a house of worship.
Mark Ralkowski

Privacy vs. Security

The Center's Framework for Ethical Decision making is applied to privacy vs. security concerns in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
Bharath Krishnamurthy

The Cyber City Network

An online network for city services raises questions about access and whether the provision of services electronically will increase disparities between rich and poor.
Thomas Shanks

Lying in Government

Peter Minowitz, author of "Straussophobia," leads a discussion of "the noble lie."(podcast)
Emerging Issues Group