More secrecy in government is not justified

There are times when keeping the names of candidates for jobs secret is warranted.

Certainly in private industry, competition and business strategies often dictate discretion, and the candidates themselves deserve a degree of privacy.

Even then, however, employer-employee relationships should be such that an honest discussion of employment status is possible on both sides.

But do the same principles apply when it comes to top-level jobs in government or other tax-supported entities?

The Nebraska Legislature thinks they do, at least enough to give LB389 first round approval on Wednesday.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, farther reduces the public's right to know who is applying for positions with governmental bodies.

Now, Nebraska law says the public has a right to know the names and see resumes of any applicant who has accepted an interview.

If LB389 is passed and signed into law, taxpayers won't know who's in the running until the pool of finalists is down to three or fewer.

The bill springs from the University of Nebraska's efforts a few years ago to keep secret the names of candidates for the president's post. The law is needed, supporters say, so that top-shelf candidates aren't scared away from applying.

But is that argument strong enough to justify keeping the whole process secret?

Not really.

Anyone who is candidate for a top-tier public position knows he or she will be in for public scrutiny from the beginning. And, one has to question the motives of a candidate who is unwilling to disclose his or her intentions to his current employer.

That's especially true in the case of a top official or administrator who may take many months to replace.

In addition, decision-makers are foolish not to take advantage of all the insight they can get. More than one hiring mistake could have been avoided if only more public input been available and heeded.

Without disclosure, the concerned public is forced to resort to speculation and rumor.

Secrecy in government is warranted in very few, narrowly restricted instances.

Hiring of key personnel for public positions is not one of them.