Wednesday, November 10, 2010

All locally elected bodies in North Carolina, including school boards, county commissions and city councils, must put in place a code of ethical conduct and receive ethical training by January 1, 2011. This article from Wilkes County outlines the requirements, core elements and considerable leeway involved in this new state law adopted by the General Assembly with support from Democracy North Carolina and others. It’s a first step in addressing widespread problems with local elected officials making decisions, or appearing to make decisions, that benefit their real estate and other financial interests rather than the public good. You may want to check to see how your local governmental bodies are proceeding with meeting the new law’s deadline. Let us know if you think we can be helpful.