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Lessons of Bell

Published by USC Bedrosian Center on

Governance Reform, Accountability, & Transparency

October 4, 2010

Co-Sponsored by SoCal ASPA

The LA Times reporters who broke the story about the Bell scandal, a USC expert in administrative ethics, the executive director of the state league of cities and a state legislator who introduced reform legislation will gather for a panel discussion focusing on the checks and balances necessary to prevent scandals like those seen in Bell. Discussion topics will include:

  • What roles do the press and citizens play in the accountability process and what tools do they need?
  • What are the responsibilities of public administrators and how can they reclaim the public trust?
  • How can policymakers ensure reform policies translate into more effective oversight in practice?
  •  What is meant by meaningful transparency, and how can it be achieved?
  • What does it take to translate information into effective public scrutiny, and therefore real accountability?

Panelists: Assemblymember Hector De La Torre, 50th District (D-South Gate) Chris McKenzie, Executive Director, League of California Cities Dr. Terry L. Cooper, Professor in Citizenship and Democratic Values, USC School of Policy, Planning and Development (SPPD) Ruben Vives and Jeff Gottlieb, Staff Writers, Los Angeles Times Moderator: Jack H. Knott, Dean, USC SPPD

Bedrosian Center