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Panel looks at the good and bad of lobbying

Ethical lobbying may sometimes seem like an oxymoron, but it makes for great debate. Sacramento State will host a forum that examines the topic from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 8, in the University Union Hinde Auditorium.

The panel discussion, organized by Sacramento State’s Center for Practical and Professional Ethics and the Center for California Studies, looks at the role lobbyists play in the legislative process, ways to make the practice more resistant to possible corruption, regulation of the industry and challenges in maintaining personal integrity.

“As with all human practices, there is room for corruption in lobbying, but there is also room for ethical practice,” says Christina Bellon, director of the Center for Practical and Prof Ethics.

Panelists include:

• Timothy Hodson, executive director of Sacramento State’s Center for California Studies.
• Whitney Barazoto, government affairs director with the Fair Political Practices Commission which interprets and enforces political campaign, lobbyist, and conflict-of-interest laws in California.
• Dennis Mangers, president of the California Cable and Telecommunications Association.
• Patrick Johnston, a senior consultant for Health Net and a legislative advocate for McGraw-Hill Education.

The lecture is free and open to the public. It is presented through a grant by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to promote ethical practices and behavior within the University and community by presenting a series of speakers, events and workshops on governmental and political ethics during the year.