Court Opinion

ID: 9676115
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:15:21.819619+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:44.181697
License: Public Domain

WINTERSHEIMER, Justice,
concurring.
I concur in the result achieved by the majority in this particular case as presented to the Court.
However, I believe that Section 177 of the Kentucky Constitution which prohibits the General Assembly from making any gifts to private corporations is clearly superior to any interpretation of KRS 61.878(1) and (2) which would permit the concealment of any public records. Any denial of public access to public information in this regard is a blatant constitutional violation. Any expectation of privacy or confidentiality is waived when an entity applies for a $19 million tax credit which involves the public treasury composed of taxpayer money.
I do not believe that KRS 61.878(1) and (2) must necessarily be declared unconstitutional, but we need only recognize that the constitution requires something different in this specific situation.
Hayes v. State Property and Buildings Com’n, Ky., 731 S.W.2d 797 (1987), determined that it was not unconstitutional for the General Assembly to extend financial incentives to private corporations so long as the expenditure of public money effectuated a valid public purpose. Generally I believe this statute should be construed so as to give meaning to the words “public records ... shall be subject to inspection” when so ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
It is with some reluctance and considerable misgivings that I concur in the result achieved in this ease.