Everyone in government promises transparency, but then comes the real world.
In the matter of $107 million tax deferral moving toward approval at city hall, for example, “there is certain business that is confidential and proprietary,” a city official said. He was ushering reporters out of a meeting at the time. No transparency here. Reporters weren’t allowed to hear why $107 million in so-called tax increment financing is necessary.
Maryland frowns officially on closed meetings, but a closed meeting is permitted, according to the city solicitor’s office, under the “deliberative process privilege.” We could only guess what that phrase means. Does it mean that while an issue is under consideration a meeting can be closed?
Pressed further by reporters, the city solicitor’s office said the meeting was closed under “State Government Article, Section 10-508(a)(4) to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State and Section 10-508(a)(6) to consider the marketing of public securities.”
Oh, that section of Article 10-508-(a)(4). That article, by the way, is the open meetings law.
Let me be clear. Some of us might think this tax break is necessary. Jobs are at stake. A developer’s ability to do an important public project may be at stake. We don’t know what to think without the information.
Ryan O’Doherty, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake’s press secretary, suggests that all the necessary information will be available for the taxpayer – in due course, when the matter reaches the city council.
Okay, but here’s the problem. These things tend to develop irreversible momentum. When, or if, taxpayers tune in, often the deal is done.
Transparency means more when it comes early. That’s when taxpayers can take advantage of it. That’s why transparency matters.