A Guide to Ethics Resources for Government

What is Ethics?

• What is Ethics? An introduction to the study and practice of ethics developed by Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Tom Shanks, and Michael Meyer. Markkula Center For Applied Ethics
• Video Introduction to Government Ethics. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
• A Framework for Ethical Decision Making. A guideline to various approaches to ethical decision- making. Markkula Center For Applied Ethics.
• Importance of Public Trust in Government. Case studies and materials focused on the need for public trust. International City/ County Management Association.
• Government Ethics Cases. A set of cases designed to prompt discussion and dialogue. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.

Everyday Ethics and Best Practices

• Everyday Ethics: Morality Requires Everyday Reflection On the Day to Day Decisions that Confront Us. An article by Tom Shanks discussing ethics in daily life and containing five important daily self reflection questions. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
• Everyday Ethics for Local Officials: Finding Your Way, Institute for Local Government.
• Examples of city and local programs that demonstrate the best in city ethics.
• Ethics Law Compliance Best Practices, Institute for Local Government

Government Ethics Articles

• MCAE
• MCAE

Ethics Codes

• Links to Selected City Codes and Charters By State. International Municipal Lawyers Association.
• How to Adopt a Code of Ethics. One city's process of creating a code of ethics. Institute for Local Government.
• "Developing a Local Agency Code of Ethics: A Process Oriented Guide" A guide to developing a code of ethics for local agencies. Institute for Local Government.
• "Accountability and the Code of Ethics and Values." Tom Shanks. Is being accountable to the code of ethics important and how can one set up a framework for accountability?
• Sample Codes of Ethics and Case Studies International City/ County Management Association.

Ethics Laws

• Ethics Law Resources. Reflecting recent developments and trends in ethics laws, the Institute for Local Government has released new ethics law publications in 2005. Institute for Local Government
• Legal Ethics. A guide to legal ethics by subject matter. International Municipal Lawyers Association
• Track State's Ethics Bills Going Through Congress. National Conference of State Legislatures
• Ethics Law Compliance Best Practices, Institute for Local Government.
• Key Ethics Law Principles for Public Servants, Institute for Local Government.
• A Local Official's Reference on Ethics Laws, Institute for Local Government.

Ethics Checklist

• 3 Types of Ethics Audits. A description of three types of ethics audits agencies may use to evaluate the role ethics plays in their day- to- day operations. Institute for Local Government.
• Walking the Line: What to Do if You Suspect an Ethics Problem. Institute for Local Government.

Ethics Boards/ Commissions

• Ethics Committees & Commissions. An explanation of the different roles of committees and commissions on government ethics and the purpose for each. National Conference of State Legislatures.

Ethics and Lobbying

• Ethics Laws for Lobbyists/ 50 State Guide. National Conference of State Legislatures.
• Legislative Ethics and Lobbying Laws/ 50 State Guide. Also includes resources for lobbyists and information on other issues affecting lobbyists today.
• National Conference of State Legislatures.

Campaign Ethics

• Campaign Ethics Challenge. A case study to prompt discussion by Senior Government Ethics Fellow Judy Nadler. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
• Institute for Local Government Campaign Ethics Site.
• American Elections Finance Laws. A grouping of various studies on campaign finance. Center for Governmental Studies.
• Win the Right Way: How to Run Effective Local Campaigns in California. Institute for Local Government.

Use of Public Resources

• Of Cookie Jars and Fishbowls: A Public Official's Guide to Use of Public Resources. Institute for Local Government.

Public Processes

• The ABCs of Open Government Laws. Institute for Self Government.
• Ethics in Public Contracting. An article by Senior Government Ethics Fellow, Judy Nadler, examining the ethical dilemmas surrounding public procurement.

Public Contracting

• Institute for Local Government Procurement Site. Contains updates on current issues in public procurement.

Relationships: Personal and Public

• Best Practices For Promoting Good Relationships Between Your City Council And Staff. Tips on maximizing the effectiveness of the council/staff team. Institute for Local Government.
• Personnel Matters: Advice, Sample Documents, and Articles. International City/ County Management Association.
• Elected Official Relationships: Advice and Articles. International City/ County Management Association.
• Personal Relationships: Advice. International City/ County Management Association.
  

Gifts

• Advice For Accepting Gifts. International City/ County Management Association.
• 50 State Guide to Gifts and Honorarium Laws. National Conference of State Legislatures.

Revolving Door

• NCSL 50 State Guide to Revolving Door Statutes. National Conference of State Legislatures.

Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure

• National Conference of State Legislature Conflict of Interest Site.

Investments

• International City/ County Management Association Ethics in Investments Site. Offers Advice and the ICMA Gov Search.

Outside Employment

• Advice for Outside Employment. International City/ County Management Association.

Political Activity

• Advice for Political Activity in Government Office. International City/ County Management Association.

Resource Websites

• Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (MCAE)
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
• International City/ County Management Association (ICMA)
• Institute for Local Self Government (ILG)
• Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL)
• International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA)