Ethics

The Government Accountability Board works to ensure that high ethical standards are met by state public officials, an essential part of assuring integrity in the policy making process. A code of ethics for state officials, adopted by the legislature, is used to provide guidance to state public officials and state employees to help them avoid conflicts between their public responsibilities and personal interests. By helping to improve the standards of public service, the goal of the ethics code is to help advance and support the confidence and faith Wisconsin residents have in their state officials, state employees, and the conduct of free government.

Candidates' and Officials' Economic Interests

State officials and candidates file Statements of Economic Interests for public inspection at the time they enter the public arena, and continue to update them annually. The statement's purpose is to identify to which businesses and individuals an official is tied financially, to mitigate any conflicts of interests that may exist.

Standards of Conduct

Review the standards of conduct for state government officials and lobbyists. Follow an online tutorial explaining the standards. Locate guidelines, advisory opinions, and a history of the ethics code's enforcement.

Seek Advice

The Government Accountability Board provides advice to state officials, lobbyists and lobbying organizations about their own proposed conduct. The Board also provides advice to local government attorneys about the conduct of local officials.