An Independent Ethics Board: Coming Soon?

Question that will be on the May 16 Primary Ballot:

"Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation, appointment, powers, duties and annual funding of an independent Board of Ethics which shall administer and enforce all ordinances pertaining to ethics?"

Quick Overview:

The current Ethics Board, created on August 12, 2004, operates within the office of the Mayor with all members appointed by the Mayor; not exactly an independent body. Constituting an independent Board would mean a more genuine independence from the executive and legislative branches. If passed in May, an independent and empowered Board of Ethics would help encourage and enforce higher ethical standards for all City officials.