First Amendment advocates worry about open records bill
Recruiting companies from other states is sensitive business and a few years ago the state amended its open records law to protect those delicate talks.
Now a bill sponsored by three of Gov. Nathan Deal’s floor leaders in the state Senate would expand some of that secrecy. But open government advocates fear the bill as it is written could be used to justify secrecy in far more than matters of recruiting companies.
The bill, SB 323, would allow any state agency to conceal documents about economic development projects involving business expansions of $25 million in investment or 50 jobs. After a deal is signed or negotiations terminated, the records would become public.
The exemption is currently applies only to the state Department of Economic Development.
First Amendment advocates fear the wording of the latest bill is overly broad and might be used by any arm of the state government to conceal activities that it claims will create jobs.
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About the Author
J. Scott Trubey is the senior editor over business, climate and environment coverage at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He previously served as a business reporter for the AJC covering banking, real estate and economic development. He joined the AJC in 2010.
