Nevada Center for Public Ethics

NCPE in the News: 2008-2009

Auto Body Shop Bill's Backer Denies Conflict (Sun)

With Ethics Commission Challenged, Lawmakers Move to Police themselves (Sun)

Chancellor Rogers Enlists Campus Help in Budget Plea (Sun)

Click here to view the Saturday, January 10th, 2009, Town Hall Meeting.

"Taxpayers Give Money: LVCVA Gers Award" (Las Vegas Review Journal)

"Casa Rosa's Days Numbered" (Las Vegas Review Journal)

"Court Hopeful Says Consultant Pitched Deal" (Las Vegas Review Journal)

"Given $50,000 He Decides to Run" (Las Vegas Sun)

Acting President Julie Tousa on Jon Ralston's "Face to Face: Ethics Complaint"

Meet the Acting President of NCPE, Julie Tousa

"New Watchdog of Public Ethics Continues Enforcing Vital Unwritten Law" (Las Vegas Review Journal)

"Partying Away As Taxpayers Pay and Pay" (Las Vegas Sun)

Ethics Legislation 2007

NCPE at the 2007 Nevada State Legislature: Summary and Details

"Article 6 Commission" to study and recommend improvements in the Nevada judiciary
See Dr. Craig Walton's summary of May Meeting

NCPE statement about the danger of big donors contributing to Supreme Court justice election campaigns.

Judicial Ethics & the Complaint Processes

Craig Walton's letter, to the Las Vegas Business Journal in favor of the new plan for judicial selection

Candidate Pledge

box 3

Email NCPE Treasurer

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3pm, members and friends will be meeting to discuss long range plans for NCPE.

Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6pm is the regular meeting of the NCPE Board of Trustees. Volunteers to serve on The Town Hall Committee and others are needed, so please let us know if you are interested.

Both meetings will be at:
1401 Hillshire Ave. #150
Las Vegas, NV, 89134

NCPE FILES AMICUS BRIEF

On Monday April 20th, 2009 Oral Arguments will be heard on the Commission on Ethics of the State of Nevada, Appellant vs. Senator Warren Hardy II, in his official capacity as Nevada State Senator for Clark County District #12. The NCPE has submitted an amicus curie brief which was accepted by the supreme court. The NCPE will also be submitting a press release the morning of the hearing.

Read the brief here.

On November 24, 2008, Judge Maddox entered an order from the bench granting Senator Warren Hardy’s petition and proffered that a Permanent Injunction enjoining the Ethics Commission (Commission) from conducting further proceedings from acting on a citizens complaint based on separation of powers and legislative immunity. This decision if not overturned by the Supreme court will substantially weaken the expressed power and authority of the Commission and threaten to subvert the clear intent of the Legislature when they enacted NRS 281A.

The Nevada Center for Public Ethics (NCPE) opposes the District Court’s decision and believes it is detrimental to Nevada ’s political process. If upheld the lower court’s decision would substantially weaken, if not eradicate, the expressed power and authority of the Commission and would subvert the clear intent of the Legislature when it enacted the Ethics Law. It is the opinion of the NCPE, that by allowing the judiciary to negate the legislative intent in forming the Commission, this would provide an open door to the abuse of powers and ethical misconduct of our elected officials.

NCPE would like to thank Jacob Hafter and Associates for donating their time and expertise to writing the amicus brief.

Who we are

The NCPE is a non-partisan, non-profit center for research, education and recommendation in the field of public ethics. It seeks and will publish studies and confirmed information concerning good and bad uses of the public’s trust. Where an act or an existing standard of practice is honest, NCPE will develop ways to recognize and praise the persons and units involved.

The Nevada Center for Public Ethics (NCPE) will bring together former public officials, educators and scholars, the legal community, business leaders, clergy, policy experts and concerned citizens, in order to share ideas and provide information concerning high standards of ethics in Nevada’s public sphere generally, and particularly with respect to appointed and elected government officials at all levels. Influences brought to bear on public officials will also be considered as coming within the sphere of public ethics.

What we do

To Research public and governmental ethics issues through comparative analysis, from the perspectives of law, public administration, public policy, philosophy, and political science, through citizen feedback and comparisons of Nevada law and standards with those prevailing in other jurisdictions, with a view to improving law, regulations, procedures and norms in Nevada.

To Educate elected and appointed government officers and the general public about standards and procedures needed to preserve and protect integrity at every level of government in the State of Nevada, and to promote channels for active citizenship, as the Organization and its membership deem necessary.

To Advocate improvements in the moral culture of public service, both in statutes, legislation, and regulations, as well as by making recommendations for improvement in the standards of practice and accepted norms of public service, as the Organization and its membership deem necessary.

What is 'Public Ethics'?
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About NCPE

Mission

Principles of Public Ethics

Organizing Principles of the Nevada Center for Public Ethics

Organization

Committee Structure