By Andrew T. Manus
Andrew T. Manus is a resident of Clayton.
This year, the theme for Global Ethics Day on Oct. 15 is “Ethics Re-envisioned.” Global Ethics Day was established in 2014 by the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs as an annual moment for individuals and organizations to explore their values and the principles that shape ethical decision making. Since 2018, I have served as a member and as the chair of the Delaware Public Integrity Commission. My seven-year term expired in March, though I am still serving as a member until I am replaced (more on that below).
In reflecting back on the past seven years and this year’s Global Ethics Day theme, I am both grateful to have had this opportunity to serve the state through promoting and enforcing Delaware Code’s Title 29, Chapter 58 — the state employees’, officers’ and officials’ code of conduct — and for the opportunity this service has given me to promote good ethics in state government. The views and observations that I share below are mine and mine alone, and should not be interpreted otherwise. In no particular order, I want to share the following points:
- Membership in the PIC is politically and geographically balanced. Typically, the party in power has one more seat on the commission (seven members) than the minority party does. I served my entire term and was appointed as a registered unaffiliated voter. When terms expire and vacancies occur, I recommend that consideration of appointing other unaffiliated voters be pursued. Unaffiliated voters represent the second-largest block of voters in Delaware, and we, too, have a keen interest in ethical government and support the state’s code of conduct. Let’s reenvision the current political composition of the PIC and other boards and commissions, and expand the pool of those who can serve to include unaffiliated voters.
- One of the priorities the commission established during the past seven years is the need for and the continuing education of state employees regarding their responsibilities under the code of conduct. To that end, our former legal counsel, Ms. Deb Moreau, held numerous workshops and training with state, county and municipal employees throughout the state. In addition, she developed and implemented an online training module that state employees can access to become conversant with the code of conduct and ethics in government. To date, thousands have taken this training. However, this training was funded by the Department of State, and for it to continue, funds will need to be reallocated in the budget. Recently, I was gratified to hear several individuals who have come before the PIC for opinion letters say that they recognized the need to do so because of this training. Let’s reenvision ethics education to be a continuing process and include it as an annual line item in the commission’s budget.
- This training and the greater awareness of the Public Integrity Commission’s role in promoting and enforcing the code of conduct has resulted in the commission investigating several complaints by “whistle-blowers.” In several instances, these complaints have been against government employees engaged in unethical behavior and in violation of the code of conduct. Unfortunately, the “whistle-blowers” reporting these violations fear retaliation for bringing these matters to the attention of the PIC. Currently, there is no protection in Delaware Code against retaliation for these individuals. Let’s reenvision this need and all work toward a legislative fix for this matter.
- During my term, I witnessed the first attempt by the General Assembly to legislatively exempt a class of state employees from the code of conduct. This is unacceptable in a number of ways and sends a terrible message to other state employees who willingly abide by the code. The commission successfully thwarted this effort. Could this happen again? Perhaps, and I hope all advocates for good ethics in government will envision the need to rise up and assist the PIC in stopping any such legislative attempts to work around the code of conduct in the future.
- I respect the commitment of my colleagues and staff who attend and conduct the business of the PIC every month. During my time with the group, I have had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented and dedicated individuals and to be part of a team that believes that ethics in government matter. The commission is now supported by a capable and dedicated staff of one, Benjamin M. Warshaw, commission counsel. There is currently one vacancy on the PIC, in addition to my expired term. By code, I am able to serve until replaced, and I have committed to my colleagues that I will do so to provide a smooth transition. That said, my term has expired, and I need to be replaced, and the existing vacancy needs to be filled.
In closing, here is my clarion call to all readers of this Opinion. If you have an interest in good ethics in government and want to serve on the Public Integrity Commission, call the governor’s office and let them know. In addition, go to governor.delaware.gov/boards-and-commissions and formally submit an application expressing your interest. A commitment to good ethics should matter to all Delawareans.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
