Fear and Speculation Spur Proposals to Limit Transparency

The Spokesman-Review opines the Idaho Legislature is working with the wrong presumption with respect to proposed laws aimed at creating additional public records exemptions.

Senate Bill 1346 would block the nutrient management plans for concentrated animal feeding operations, the feedlots where cattle are fattened before slaughter. The Idaho Cattle Association argues state inspection reports could contain trade secrets and other proprietary information.

House Bill 531 would keep secret the names of those receiving hunting and fishing licenses for fear that such information could be used to harass the license-holders.

As The Spokesman-Review argues, "Gutting public records law ought to be the last resort, not the first. These bills have it backward."

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