Haslam win on keeping tax info under wraps criticized as blow to transparency

Bill Haslam
Bill Haslam
photo Bill Haslam

NASHVILLE -- A leading national provider of tax news and analysis says the Haslam administration's recent court victory upholding its refusal to release information behind planned business tax hikes "highlights" a "breakdown in transparency in the state's legislative process."

Moreover, Tax Analysts says, "it also demonstrates a significant transparency problem arising from the state's use of outside counsel to determine its tax policy while barring the public from access to those policy considerations.

A tax attorney who sued for the release of records from Gov. Bill Haslam's administration related to a $350,000 analysis of business tax collections in Tennessee said last month that he likely will appeal a judge's denial of his lawsuit.

Last month, attorney Brett Carter filed a Davidson County Chancery Court suit alleging the administration engaged in a "willful" violation of the Tennessee Open Records Act because of the state finance and revenue departments' refusal to disclose details about how they drafted the proposed Revenue Modernization Act.

But Chancellor Carol McCoy denied Carter's lawsuit after reviewing some of the requested materials in chambers.

Upcoming Events