Madison Mayor’s Ethics Violations

This seems to be the most unethical city government we’ve had in years . . . first 2 alders, now the Mayor clearly violating the ethics laws.

ALDER VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS

Alder Sheri Carter

First it was Alder Sheri Carter who had been violating the ethics laws for years.  She is the President of Porchlight and she voted for over a quarter of a million dollars to go to the organization in 7 different votes on the council.  It was in the form of ESG (state funds), CoC (federal funds) and City RFPs where Porchlight competes with other nonprofits for funds and the council is presented with a package of funds to approve.  She did not abstain on any of the funding.

Alder Tag Evers

The day I wrote that post, Alder Tag Evers was in violation of fundraising for a nonprofit on his city blog.  He said it was a rookie mistake, apologized, promised never to do it again now that he knows.  I felt to be fair I needed to write about it, but felt bad because I believed it truly was just a mistake.  But then just twelve days later did it again.  I didn’t write about it again, but should have.  This was in his blog post after he promised not to do it again.

From his blog on March 14th

I didn’t keep reading his many, many blogs, but in writing this post, I discovered a few more that weren’t specific about which organization to donate to, but what group of organizations (food, music) to donate to.

March 22

March 24

Now, it’s the mayor.

FIRST MAYOR’S ETHICS VIOLATION

So, I didn’t blog about this either, because I thought it was a mistake made under stress.  In the March 15th Press Conference on COVID-19 the Mayor urges people to donate to United Way and the Dane County COVID-19 fund.

See 3:35 here

For those of you who wonder what Alder Evers and the Mayor are doing wrong, the ethics code says the following:

(5) Standards of Conduct .

(a)1. Use of Office or Position . No incumbent may use or attempt to use her or his position or office to obtain financial gain or anything of value or any advantage, privilege or treatment for the private benefit of herself or himself or her or his immediate family, or for an organization with which she or he is associated. This paragraph does not prohibit an incumbent from using the title or prestige of her or his office to obtain campaign contributions that are permitted and reported as required by Wis. Stat. ch. 11.

2. Influence and Reward . No person or entity may offer or give to an incumbent or member of an incumbent’s immediate family, directly or indirectly, and no incumbent may solicit or accept from any person or entity, directly or indirectly, anything of value if it could reasonably be expected to influence the incumbent’s vote, official actions or judgment, or could reasonably be considered as a reward for any official action or inaction on her or his part.

This subsection 2. does not prohibit an incumbent from soliciting donations from third parties provided that:

a. The funds are to be used for a City project or for a conference to be held within the City;

b. The solicitation has been approved by a resolution of the Common Council;

c. The entity receiving the funds is not an entity with which the incumbent is associated; and

d. A report of the amount and date of contribution and contributor for all donations for the project or conference is filed with the City Clerk within six (6) months of the receipt of the donation.

(Sec. 3.35(5)(a)2. Am. by ORD-10-00105, 11-23-10)

Again, I thought it was a mistake, the Mayor would realize the error of her ways and not do it again.  Not so . . .

SECOND MAYOR’S ETHICS VIOLATION

This time, the mayor didn’t use city resources to ask for donations, instead she did it through her campaign account on April 5th.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

a)  It’s an ethics violation.  A direct violation of the Madison General Ordinances.

b) Favoring certain non-profits from government officials is just unfair.  In a city full of nonprofits working their butts off through this crisis, it seems unfair to pick and choose which nonprofits people are directed to donate to without some sort of process to make it fair.  Especially for equity reasons.  Why give to the United Way when there are other organizations also raising money?  Who decided one fund was better than the other? Why hasn’t she mentioned the other major community efforts such as the Madison General Defense Committee?

And in the much bigger picture . . . .

c) The non-profit industrial complex.  What is that you ask, this is usually where I send people to explain:

Again, I ask, why funnel all the money to United Way to decide who gets the money based on their priorities?  Why not just give directly to the organization that you feel needs it most and will use it most wisely and efficiently?