Being Ethical
NCSL's Center for Ethics in Government
This Being Ethical is part three of a three-part series.
Link to Part One
Link to Part Two
January 2008
QUESTION
I just finished my first legislative session. I went through the new member and caucus orientations, attempted to get to know my colleagues and lobbyists, studied bills and generally participated as a rather quiet freshman. But nothing prepared me for some of the situations I faced where I felt uncomfortable.
Do I owe my campaign contributors anything? Is it OK to form friendships with lobbyists? Should I always keep my word to one of the my fellow legislators, even if I change my mind on a bill? How much information should I give the press? Should I always answer their questions honestly? And sometimes my values conflict with those of my constituents. I felt I recognized some problems after they went by me. Help me prepare for next year's session. What are some ethical pitfalls I should avoid? KJB
This month the panel gives advice on the last part of this origional question: Help me prepare for next year's session. And what are some ethical pitfalls I should avoid?
Submit your own ethical dilemma.
Dick Finan
Former Ohio Senate
President
You ran your campaign on the general principles you believe. You were elected on those principles. To disagree with constituents is normal. You cannot please everyone. You must vote your own principles whether your constituents agree or not. In addition, your constituents may not know all the facts as you do.
For this legislative session, use your experience to help eliminate your mistakes. Also, develop your relationships with fellow members, the press and lobbyists. You may find that your life will get easier.
Representative Deborah Ross
North Carolina
You were elected to represent your constituents, but you also are your own person. When your values conflict with those of your constituents, explain your perspective to them. They might change their minds or they might change your mind. Either way, you will have had an opportunity to educate the public about the issue. Ultimately, you have to live with your actions.
During this legislative session, do not make promises about how you will vote until you know more about the issues involved. Be wary about introducing bills for people until you have researched the issue and vetted it with your constituents. Do not think that your re-election means that you have any less accountability to your constituents.
Representative Dennis Richardson
Oregon
Statesmanship comes from careful research and thoughtful consideration, and not from polling public opinion. Legislator should make votes based on sound reasoning, and be prepared to explain those votes to constituents. By building a broad-based email address list, a legislator can use the Internet to explain controversial votes to constituents and avoid many misunderstandings.
Avoid the appearance of impropriety during the legislative session and always. Before accepting any gifts or trips from lobbyists consider whether the benefit will be worth the potentially negative publicity and impression it might have on your constituents. Finally, be thorough and timely in filing all required contribution and expenditure reports. The public usually does not know the difference between a procedural violation and a criminal offense when it comes to violations of ethics laws.