Thanks to a new accounting rule, local governments have to publicly report any property tax breaks they give to companies, since the lost revenue means less funding for schools, roads and other services.
But a proposed update to the guidelines could exempt Tennessee and some other states' local governments from disclosing one of their largest business subsidies.
Transparency advocates worry the change could mean taxpayers would have no idea how much is being forgone in exchange for the economic stimulus associated with luring firms to the Volunteer State. Local economic development agencies offer companies subsidies to attract or retain jobs.
Read more at our news partner's website, tennessean.com.