Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris works in his legislative office in Nashville.NASHVILLE -- Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to close public access to detailed information about companies seeking state grants and tax incentives ran into trouble Monday night when a senator called it an invitation to corruption.
The measure, carried for the governor by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, was delayed until Thursday.
Haslam, a Republican, has called for the public records changes as part of his plan to offer more cash incentives for companies to invest in Tennessee.
The administration is seeking far more detail from companies seeking taxpayer dollars, but the bill also closes off information regarding "business processes, organizational structure and ownership, financial statements, budgets, cash flow reports or similar materials."
Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, questioned the move.
"Who do we want to give the taxpayers' money to that we don't want the public to know about?" Herron asked. "The temptation for corruption is too great."
Watson said the move to close the records is needed because Tennessee will be asking for "new information" from companies considering investments in the state and wanting taxpayers to help foot part of the bill in return.
"We're not getting this information now, that's the point of the bill," Watson said during the debate.
Sensing unease among Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, moved the bill to Thursday to give the Haslam administration more time to discuss its provisions with Democratic lawmakers.
Speaking later, Watson said he doesn't think Herron understood all the bill's provision.
"My understanding is if they were to get the grant, the information's available," Watson said. "I probably didn't articulate it very well. We're just not getting the information now."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact staff writer Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.