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Hiding the report on transparency

December 08, 2009

So much for transparency and tax credits. The Des Moines Register reports:

Gov. Chet Culver's office does not intend to release reports expected this week on tax credit programs that affect thousands of Iowa workers and businesses before holding public hearings next week that will help decide the incentives' fate.

Erin Seidler, the governor's communications chief, said policy advisers in the governor's office decided the analyses of about 30 tax incentives - to be completed by Thursday - should be kept confidential until public hearings next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yes, you wouldn't want the public to have any information ahead of the public hearings. They might want to ask questions or something.

The move means the public will not have access to the agency chiefs' own research on overall cost benefit, oversight, transparency and use before being asked to provide input.

A state official who monitors compliance with Iowa's open-government laws said the decision runs counter to common practice elsewhere in government. Other branches of government routinely release reports as they are released to panel members, such as city council members or county supervisors.

Well, we're only talking about $450 million or so of taxpayer money being funnelled to special interests, out of a $6 billion budget, or $150 for every man, woman and child in Iowa. Why would we want the public to know about that?