Turning Up the Lights

Five years ago the City of Los Angeles had no ethics law, no ethics commission and--cynics argued--no ethics. However, in testament to how government can begin to clean up its act when the people demand it, Los Angeles now boasts what arguably are the toughest local ethics ordinances in the nation, in addition to an independent-minded Ethics Commission dedicated to making those ordinances stick.

Though it took prodding and some in city government took longer to embrace change than others, today the results of reform are evident: a city government more accountable for explaining how money influences the system.

That is not to say there’s not room for improvement. But Charter Amendment H, the landmark ethics ordinance approved by voters in 1990, ensures there will be giant spotlights shining on City Hall in the form of financial disclosure rules for city officials.

Provisions in the law also included limits on investments, a ban on honorariums, ceilings on gifts, partial public funding for campaigns and caps on contributions.

Now the City Council wisely has decided to heighten scrutiny by requiring lawyer-lobbyists, for whom City Hall is a second home, to report their lobbying activities to the Ethics Commission.

The council’s action at the same time loosens disclosure requirements for advocates who are not big-money players and who use the system infrequently.

Five years ago, none of this would have seemed possible. Bright lights, shine on.