Tenn. Gov. Hopes New Ombuds Office Will Reduce Lawsuits

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen said Wednesday that he hopes a newly created ombudsman position will help avoid the need for open records lawsuits similar to a recent successful action by the Knoxville News Sentinel. Bredesen considers the ombuds as a go-between for people to who lack the resources to gain access to public information. But the governor acknowledged that no official can prevent the need for future lawsuits. Earlier this year, Tennessee legislature approved $100,000 to create the ombudsman and a special committee is still considering what provisions for the ombudsman need to be written into law. (AP.)

(Prior post: Tenn. Gov. Opposes Plan to Fragment Responsibilities of New Open Records Ombuds.)