Ethics Laws Outdated, Not Used

Numerous government agencies across the Capital Region have not updated their ethics laws in decades and are relying on defunct oversight panels to monitor the conduct of local public officials.A Times Union examination of ethics laws in 78 local agencies also found sporadic financial disclosure requirements for elected officials and government employees, and inconsistent policies on the public's right to review those records.In general, ethics laws are intended to lay bare any conflicts of interest for public officials while limiting their receipt of gifts and, in some instances, placing restrictions on the hiring of relatives or friends.However, a review of municipalities across Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties found that at least 30 local governments have not overhauled their ethics laws since the early 1970s.Even in some communities where ethics laws have been updated, enforcement is non-existent.Almost half the municipalities do not have ethics boards, which are optional under state law, and are supposed to independently investigate alleged violations and review financial disclosure filings.

Sections:  u.s.   
Topics:  New York   Albany County   Albany   
RELATED ARTICLES
BING NEWS:
  • Lawsuits allege Colorado officials ignored 'red flag' laws before Club Q shooting
    Victims of a deadly 2022 shooting attack on a gay nightclub in Colorado have sued local authorities, accusing them of failing to enforce a red flag gun law they say could have prevented the violence.
    11/19/2024 - 6:06 am | View Link
  • Laws to Keep Kids Safe Online Are Causing Legal Entanglements (1)
    Covington attorneys describe states’ online privacy law challenges, saying companies should update their privacy notices and monitor court rulings.
    11/17/2024 - 8:30 pm | View Link
  • Musk says he and Trump have 'mandate to delete' regulations. Ethics laws could limit that
    “Then, the president takes the advice or doesn’t.” If it were a true government agency, however, Musk would run afoul of federal conflict of interest laws unless he divested from his businesses or ...
    11/16/2024 - 11:38 pm | View Link
  • Elon Musk says he and Trump have ‘mandate to delete’ regulations. Ethics laws could limit Musk role
    Choosing billionaire Elon Musk to be what President-elect Donald Trump calls “our cost cutter” for the U.S. government, is not the first time an American president has empowered a business tycoon to ...
    11/13/2024 - 5:07 pm | View Link
  • More

 

Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

More U.s. News