Update: Tenn. Appoints Open Records Ombuds

Tennessee State Comptroller John Morgan has appointed Ann Butterworth, one of his deputies, as director of the newly created Office of Open Records Ombudsman. Butterworth will wear two hats and continue as assistant to the comptroller for public finance. Butterworth, who has worked for the Comptroller’s Office since 1987, has a law degree from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University. Elisha Hodge, who currently serves as assistant general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Health, was also hired as the open records specialist. The Tennessee Legislature approved $100,000 to fund the ombudsman office under the State Comptroller, but has not defined the position's responsibilities. (Associated Press, via WBIR; News2WKRN.)

Prior posts: Tenn. Gov. Opposes Plan to Fragment Responsibilities of New Open Records Ombuds; Tenn. Gov. Hopes New Ombuds Office Will Reduce Lawsuits.