Stories

Conflicts of interest in government occur when government officials violate their oath to serve the public interest such as when officeholders vote on land use matters that impact their own holdings. Officials are expected, but do not always, abstain from discussion and voting, recusing themselves.

When they do not, they violate the public trust and the common good, defined as resources a community provides to residents. These include road systems, public safety and transport, educational and cultural facilities, and clean air and water.

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics materials cited by Iowa Capital Dispatch.