Twice in recent weeks Chautauqua County legislators have seen studies regarding the Chautauqua County Jail and Chautauqua County Airport in Jamestown.

They’re choosing to keep those studies close to the legislature’s collective vest. Given that public money was spent on the studies, the fact that the studies have been discussed in public meetings and the fact the studies detail future potential uses of public money, those studies should be made public now rather than when the legislature or its special committees decide to release them.

We can see why legislators haven’t released the studies even though we don’t agree with the lack of disclosure. . What to do with the Jamestown airport has been a contentious issue for years, with repeated attempts to convince the federal government to restore Essential Air Service to the airport. There are some who view the airport as vital to the county’s future and others who just as strenuously feel the county should abandon the idea of commercial air service. In the case of the jail, remember just how divisive the last addition to the facility was, the difficulties the county had arriving at a project taxpayers could afford while meeting standards the state set. As discussions are had regarding the county surplus and services the county is offering, the public should have an idea what the costs for the various jail options are.

In both cases taxpayers are likely going to be asked to back additional spending. And before they are asked to do so they should have the same information county legislators have before them now rather than being given what county lawmakers want the public to see later.

Taxpayers bought these studies. They should see the results.