It's a proposal that warrants serious scrutiny. Under current law, documents gathered by Enterprise Florida and certain other economic development agencies that contain business-plan information are shielded from public view, even though public tax dollars have flowed into their coffers. We understand that businesses have entirely valid reasons for not wanting their business plans to be aired in public. Such plans are the blueprint for any business, and should not end up in the hands of competitors. We reluctantly concede that such concerns may warrant an exemption from Florida's tough public records law.
Lawmakers appear to agree.
Legislative committees approved the continuation of those provisions during the past week, and passage by the full Legislature is all but assured. However, we are disturbed by some attempts to expand the exemptions. In addition, this bill would extend the exemption period for an extra 12 months if the business is still engaged in the site selection or expansion process. Yet another measure would extend more exemptions to businesses participating in certain economic development programs. Certainly, public-private partnerships are a solid way to expand business.