Setting a standard: The new city Ethics Board is a vital matter; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12/4/16

Editorial Board, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Setting a standard: The new city Ethics Board is a vital matter:

"The city’s reconstituted Ethics Hearing Board has the opportunity to set a standard for local government. Legislation passed by Pittsburgh City Council and signed by Mayor Bill Peduto appears to give the board real teeth to root out ethics violations and impose discipline. Just as important, however, will be the board’s work in fostering a climate where officials, employees and others involved in the city better understand the rules and diligently strive to comply with them... Board members must have taught law, been subject to ethics codes or otherwise have an “ethics background.”"

City ethics board opens an office; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11/21/16

Adam Smeltz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; City ethics board opens an office:

"Pittsburgh officials opened an office last week for the city’s reconstituted Ethics Hearing Board.

The board held its first public meeting in several years on Nov. 3, following new ethics legislation approved by Mayor Bill Peduto in October 2015. Board members will receive and investigate complaints under the reworked city Ethics Code, which requires independent and impartial conduct by city workers...

The board, which also can offer advice on ethical conduct, has a website."

Lawmaker proposes revamp of Pittsburgh Ethics Committee that last met in 2008; WPXI.com, 9/30/15

WPXI.com; Lawmaker proposes revamp of Pittsburgh Ethics Committee that last met in 2008:

According to the city’s website, the Ethics Hearing Board was established to maintain high standards of personal integrity, truthfulness and fairness among employees. However, the mayor’s office said the board’s last meeting took place in November 2008...

This week Gilman proposed legislation to fix what he calls the loopholes in the city’s ethics system. He wants to create a new board staffed with experts independent from City Hall and with whistleblower protection.

"If they speak out about something, they're not going to face reprisal from the people who have power. The thing about power is that it always needs to be checked,” Dr. Alex John London, of Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Ethics and Policy, said."