Editorial Standards

Local Government Accountability (LGAI) produces research and analysis based on information available from public records and other sources. While LGAI endeavors to ensure the accuracy of its publications, it does not guarantee that every statement or conclusion will be free from error.

LGAI exercises its independent editorial judgment in determining what to publish. The organization reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decide the scope, timing, and content of its publications.

Accuracy and Corrections

LGAI seeks to base its work on verifiable information. LGAI assimilates and examines very large volumes of public records — often thousands of pages per jurisdiction — and public records at that scale are voluminous, inconsistent, and occasionally wrong at the source. LGAI publishes or links the same primary source documents its research relies on, so that members of the public can independently verify findings against the underlying record. When LGAI becomes aware of a material factual error in a published document, it will consider appropriate corrections in good faith. LGAI maintains a public Corrections Log for material revisions.

LGAI does not undertake to notify any individual or entity prior to publication, nor does it commit to any specific process or timeline for considering corrections or responses. Any decision to provide advance notice or to revise published material remains within LGAI's sole discretion.

Characterization and Opinion

From time to time, LGAI may offer analysis, characterization, or opinion regarding public officials, public decisions, or patterns of conduct. Such statements reflect LGAI's views based on the information available to it at the time of publication. Readers are encouraged to review the underlying records for themselves.

Third-Party Information

LGAI may rely on information prepared or provided by third parties, including government agencies, auditors, and other public sources. LGAI does not independently verify every item of information it receives and is not responsible for inaccuracies contained in source documents prepared by others.

Discretion and Editorial Independence

LGAI retains full editorial independence and discretion over its publications. Nothing in these standards shall be construed to create any obligation, contractual or otherwise, to any third party. These standards are statements of institutional practice and do not confer enforceable rights upon any individual or entity.

LGAI may revise or depart from these practices at any time in its sole judgment.

Reservation of Rights

LGAI's mission is enduring; the means by which it pursues that mission are not fixed. LGAI expressly reserves the unrestricted right, at any time and without notice, to set, change, or redirect its course — including its priorities, methods, projects, jurisdictions, personnel, organizational structure, communications, activities, and policies — in any manner it deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law. Statements on this Site describing LGAI's current practices, postures, or intentions describe the organization as of the date of publication only; they are not promises about the future, do not limit LGAI's discretion, and may be superseded, redefined, or withdrawn by LGAI at any time. No statement on this Site shall be construed as a waiver of any right, latitude, or activity available to a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization under law.

Conflicts of Interest

LGAI seeks to avoid conflicts of interest in its work. Researchers are expected to disclose actual or potential conflicts, and LGAI may reassign work where appropriate.

No Third-Party Reliance

LGAI publications are provided for informational purposes. LGAI does not intend for any third party to rely on its publications for any particular purpose, and it disclaims any liability arising from such reliance.