September 9, 1999

GRTA adopts tough ethics code

The board of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority adopted a tough internal ethics code at its Sept. 8 meeting. The GRTA ethics policy requires board members and key staffers to disclose more information about their personal finances than is mandated by state law. For example, members will not only disclose all their personal holdings in real property, but also the real estate holdings of corporations in which they own a controlling interest. GRTA Chairman Joel Cowan said disclosure of real estate holdings is especially important because the Authority will be involved in decisions about roads and other transportation projects that could affect property values. "We are setting a high standard for ourselves, but the public has a right to this information," said Cowan. Some experts on ethics have called the GRTA policy a model that other state agencies should consider. The policy is "significantly better than existing state law," said an editorial in the Atlanta Constitution. "The Legislature should adopt it for the rest of state and local government."