Two candidates interview for Ethics Commission seat amid debate over open‑government enforcement

The Rules Committee interviewed two applicants for a six‑year seat on the San Francisco Ethics Commission on March 17.

Alan Grossman, a retired business lawyer and longtime open‑government advocate, described his work on Sunshine Ordinance issues, including a 2009 lawsuit he filed to obtain records from the Ethics Commission. Grossman told the committee he believes stronger enforcement of the Sunshine Ordinance and clearer disclosures are critical: "open government and good government work together hand in hand," he said.

Dorothy Liu, an employment attorney who told the committee her practice includes public‑sector clients such as the Golden Gate Bridge District and the University of California, emphasized explaining rules to stakeholders and improving compliance. On the question of televising Ethics Commission hearings Liu said she understands the need for openness but flagged privacy concerns for certain witnesses and said she would want to weigh the arguments before deciding.

Public commenters and members of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force offered split endorsements. Several speakers, including Thomas Picariello and Bruce Wolf, strongly backed Grossman for his focus on enforcement of open‑government orders. Other speakers and some supervisors praised Liu’s experience in compliance and dispute resolution. The committee did not take a final vote at the hearing and asked to carry the item forward for recommendation after further consideration.

The candidates were questioned about registrant thresholds for lobbyist disclosure, enforcement of Sunshine and campaign‑finance rules, and whether the Ethics Commission’s meetings and regulations should be more accessible to the public.