Topic - Public Trust & Ethics Archive

	Title	Issue
	Tools for Enhancing Transparency Cities throughout California are engaged in a variety of efforts to make local government operations as transparent as possible. The League provides local officials with a variety of resources on open government that can be readily shared with reporters, residents and others. By Eva Spiegel	December 2012
	Filarsky v. Delia: An Unqualified Win For Qualified Immunity The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government defendants from liability as long as their conduct did not violate clearly established law. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on the issue of whether private contractors also enjoy qualified immunity, which has a potentially significant impact on all cities. By Kent J. Bullard	December 2012
	Blind Spots: Money, Public Service and the Ethical Hazards of Self-Interest Recent media coverage of public officials’ ethical lapses raises questions about the underlying causes of such behavior. This column explores why people make poor choices and the roles that rationalizing and denial play in the decision-making process.	December 2012
	GASB's New Defined Benefit Pension Standards: Sunshine or Rain for Cities? The Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s release of new defined benefit pension standards could not have come at a better time or a worse time, depending on one’s point of view. By Eric S. Berman	November 2012
	San Carlos Adopts Innovative Contracting Techniques to Maintain Service Levels Like many California cities, San Carlos has faced some serious budgetary challenges in recent years.	November 2012
	Regulating Lobbying Activities This column presents options for securing compliance with local lobbying laws and questions to ask about what kind of laws make sense for a particular community. by Daniel D. Purnell	October 2012
	Strong Cities \| Strong State Brings Home the Value of Cities and City Services Help your city connect residents with valuable information and reach opinion leaders. By Eva Spiegel	September 2012
	League to Launch a New Communications and Outreach Assistance Program Cities can tap into the opportunity provided by an increased focus on municipal issues. By Jessica Reynolds	September 2012
	Jurupa Valley: The Last City in California? by Stephen G. Harding	August 2012
	Reflecting on Our Progress and Moving Forward The League has met the challenges of the past year, and much work remains to be done. by Mike Kasperzak	August 2012