Public Trust and Ethics

The state Legislature has changed several key ethics and transparency rules for local government officials and staff. These range from some good news-bad news tweaks to recusals to changes that impact new housing developments. 

Even in a tight-knit city like Goleta, walking into a council meeting alone can be uncomfortable — much less getting up and speaking. If you’re a council member or city commissioner, you probably felt that same discomfort and uncertainty early on!

“In an age when cynicism runs amok, fairly holding government accountable is more important than ever before,” says oversight expert Ben Goldblatt. ”Plus, doing so can result in a rewarding career close to home that directly impacts your community.”

Incivility has become normalized at the local level. But these incidents don’t affect everyone equally. A study of local elected officials in San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties gives us a clearer picture of who gets harassed in Southern California and why. 

“At the local level, candidates regularly find themselves running against another community member,” writes Cal Cities CEO Carolyn Coleman. “This familiarity may make it even more challenging to put aside the campaign mindset after the election is over and focus on uniting as a community.”

It’s easy to think of anti-Asian hate as a red or purple state problem. But most incidents occur here in California. Even though anti-Asian hate decreased in 2022, experts are warning this could be an aberration. Here’s what cities can do to mitigate the next wave of hate.

The CARE Act takes a novel, albeit controversial, approach to mental health care. Unlike previous laws, it focuses on incentivizing long-term treatment rather than imprisonment or involuntary commitment. Seven counties have already begun implementation. The rest must follow suit in 2024.

Effective governance doesn’t happen by chance. There is a cadence to a successful meeting, with a long chain of steps that start well before the meeting starts. Here are some best practices for smoother, more effective council meetings that staff and elected officials alike can use.

The rise in incivility, partisanship, and polarization is making it difficult for agencies to maintain the basic decorum needed to carry out their missions. ILG’s partnership and training with Braver Angels seeks to bridge the partisan divide and rebuild the social fabric.