NCSL Legislative Video Resource Center

Legislative staffers speak on the ways emotions and opposing opinions can affect ethical responses. Many hands are involved in the legislative process—legislators, the executive agency, staff lobbyists and constituents, and those voices are often interested in a particular policy or process. “Legislative staff have to look at it from a much bigger, institutional perspective,” says Raul Burciaga, director of the New Mexico Legislative Council Service. “What is good for the state? What is good for the legislature to conduct its business?”

Legislative staffers speak on the ways emotions and opposing opinions can affect ethical responses. Many hands are involved in the legislative process—legislators, the executive agency, staff lobbyists and constituents, and those voices are often interested in a particular policy or process. “Legislative staff have to look at it from a much bigger, institutional perspective,” says Raul Burciaga, director of the New Mexico Legislative Council Service. “What is good for the state? What is good for the legislature to conduct its business?”

Pandemic disruptions reverberated throughout the legislative world, and the realm of ethics was no exception. What was the pandemic’s impact on ethical laws and principles? Come hear a panel of experts discuss how COVID-19 challenged and changed the ethics environment. Moderator: Megan McClure, LSPA Liaison, NCSL. Speakers: J.J. Gentry, Ethics Counsel, South Carolina Senate and Mark Quiner, Director, Center for Ethics in Government