Public Trust and Ethics

“Trust in government isn’t built through authority alone,” writes civic facilitator Matt Lehrman. “Too often, local leaders focus on explaining decisions rather than engaging the public in shaping them. Governance works best when people see themselves as active participants, not outsiders to the process.”

Bullying in general can have far-reaching consequences. And although there is no law that prohibits bullying at work, bullying comes at a cost — an emotional cost for employees and a financial cost for employers. When the bully is an elected official, the stakes are even higher. 

“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.

Public trust is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Just as our residents count on us to deliver services, they trust us to govern in a way that considers their best interests and improves their communities. At the core of this responsibility is advocating for our communities.

In the U.S., public trust is tied not just to good governance and public outreach, but also historical issues of racism. To create change and increase trust, we need to change the structure of our systems.