THIS IS WHAT I THINK ABOUT NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS

Private interests in secrecy should never dictate public policy.

I am opposed to public officials signing nondisclosure agreements that allow private entities to determine what information the public may receive about matters affecting public policy.

Government sometimes receives information that must remain confidential—trade secrets, proprietary technology, security information, or other material protected by law. Those protections should be respected.

But there is a huge difference between confidentiality established by public law and secrecy imposed by a private contract.

When a company seeks governmental action—tax incentives, public financing, infrastructure commitments, zoning or land-use approval, utility accommodations, or other governmental assistance—the public deserves to understand the basis, terms, and consequences of that decision, and public officials must explain them.

A private company should not be able to tell public officials, “We will give you information that affects your governmental decisions, but you cannot tell the people you represent.”

Public officials do not work for developers, corporations, utilities, consultants, or investors. They work for the public.

My standard is simple: public officials should never agree to secrecy that is broader than the confidentiality permitted or required by law. Legitimate trade secrets can be protected. Sensitive information can be appropriately redacted. But governmental commitments, public costs, material community impacts, and the essential facts underlying public-policy decisions should not be hidden simply because disclosure is inconvenient for a private party.

Economic development requires trust. Good government requires transparency.

Private interests are entitled to protect genuinely private information.

They should never be allowed to privatize public policy.

That’s the principle I’ll follow if elected County Judge of Pulaski County. Early voting starts on October 19. Election Day is November 3.

One County. One Community. One Future.

http://www.griffen4pulaskicounty.org