Government ethics Archives - Page 2 of 5 Voice For Liberty

May

Wichita city council campaign finance reform

Some citizen activists and Wichita city council members believe that a single $500 campaign contribution from a corporation has a corrupting influence. But stacking dozens of the same $500 contributions from executives and spouses of the same corporation? Not a problem. On December 1, 2015 the Wichita City Council considered an ordinance regarding campaign finance for city elections. A Wichita Eagle article on the topic started with: "A proposed change in city ordinance would allow corporations, labor unions and political action committees to have a greater influence on Wichita politics. For years, city elections have remained insulated from the power…

Exchange Place incentives, including free sales tax and an ethics bypass

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Exchange Place incentives, including free sales tax and an ethics bypass

A downtown Wichita project receives free sales taxes and a bypass of Wichita's code of conduct for city council members. Remarks to the Wichita City Council, March 3, 2015. Regarding the Exchange Place project in downtown Wichita, I'd like to remind the council of the entire subsidy package offered to the project. There are historic preservation tax credits, which may amount to 25 percent of the project cost. These credits have the same economic impact as a cash payment, and their cost must be born by taxpayers. There is $12.5 million in tax increment financing, which re-routes future property tax…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

The odd ethics of Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer

The Wichita city council should repeal a law that the council doesn't follow. As he has done previously, Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer decided not to vote on a matter involving Spirit Aerosystems at the November 4, 2014 meeting of the Wichita City Council. The mayor didn't give a specific reason for recusing himself, but it's probably because he was formerly an employee at Spirit. So it's good that he did this. But if we're going to observe ethics protocols like this -- and we should -- let's go all the way. The mayor should have announced at the start of…

Will the next Wichita mayor advocate enforcing our ethics laws?

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Will the next Wichita mayor advocate enforcing our ethics laws?

Wichita has laws that seem clear. But the city attorney said they don't mean what they seem to say. Will our next mayor stand up for ethics? Wichita has a city code that seems to give guidance to council members (the mayor is a council member) on ethical behavior. The code says, in part, “[Council members] shall refrain from making decisions involving business associates, customers, clients, friends and competitors.” But Mayor Carl Brewer and many council members have done just that. Many times, in fact. And the Wichita city attorney said that the city code doesn't really need to be…

Sep

By Bob Weeks

For Wichita sales tax, concern over conflicts of interest

Supporters of a proposed sales tax in Wichita promise there will be no conflicts of interest when making spending decisions. That would be a welcome departure from present city practice. In November Wichita voters will decide on a new one cent per dollar sales tax, part to be used for economic development, specifically job creation. "Yes Wichita" is a group that supports the sales tax. Language on its website reads: "Conflict-of-interest policies will prohibit anyone from participating in decisions in which there is any self-interest." The page is addressing the economic development portion of the proposed sales tax. It's part…

WichitaLiberty.TV: The harm of cronyism, local and national

Jun

By Bob Weeks

WichitaLiberty.TV: The harm of cronyism, local and national

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Does Wichita have a problem with cronyism? The mayor, city council, and bureaucrats say no, but you can decide for yourself. Then, from LearnLiberty.org, the harm of cronyism at the national level. Episode 48, broadcast June 22, 2014. View below, or click here to view at YouTube.

Jun

By Bob Weeks

Is there a problem in Wichita?

Does Wichita have a problem with cronyism? The mayor, city council, and bureaucrats say no, but you can decide for yourself. View below, or click here to view in high definition at YouTube.

Questions for the next Wichita city attorney: Number 3

May

By Bob Weeks

Questions for the next Wichita city attorney: Number 3

Wichita will soon select a new city attorney. There are a few questions we ought to ask of candidates, such as: Will the next city attorney advise council members to refrain from making decisions worth millions to their friends and significant campaign contributors? Two years ago as the Wichita City Council prepared to handle the appeal of the award of a construction contract, the Wichita Eagle editorialized that "appearance matters" on city contracts: "There will be an elephant in the Wichita City Council chambers today as Mayor Carl Brewer and the rest of the council formally consider Dondlinger and Sons'…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Wichita considers policy to rein in council’s bad behavior

When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. -- P.J. O'Rourke Your principle has placed these words above the entrance of the legislative chamber: “whosoever acquires any influence here can obtain his share of legal plunder.” And what has been the result? All classes have flung themselves upon the doors of the chamber crying: “A share of the plunder for me, for me!” -- Frederic Bastiat Update: The council deferred this item to a later date. Tomorrow the Wichita City Council considers a policy designed to squelch the council's ability…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Wichita city code ignored, on purpose

When a city has laws that it doesn't enforce, what are citizens to do? Here's a section from the Wichita city code as passed in 2008 (full section below): "[Council members] shall refrain from making decisions involving business associates, customers, clients, friends and competitors." When asked about a specific application of this city law, the Wichita city attorney supplied this interpretation: Related to the Mayor's participation in the item, yes, City Code advises Council members to "refrain from making decisions involving business associates, customers, clients, friends and competitors. ... " but the Code does not provide definitions or limits to…