Governor Gordon recently announced that he re-appointed Darlena Potter as the Cowboy state’s official Public Records Ombudsman. According to a release by Governor Gordon:
“The Ombudsman position was created with the passage of Senate File 57 in 2019. The Public Records Ombudsman serves as a resource for the public to resolve issues regarding public records requests submitted to state and local government agencies. In addition, the position provides aid to state and local governments to understand their obligations in response to such requests. The Ombudsman is also charged with mediating disputes relating to the timeliness of a records production, an agency's claim of privilege or confidentiality, and fees.”
Authorizing a state Open Government Ombudsman is one of MSPC’s recommendations in our new Policy Manual:
“To ensure public accountability and maintain control over the actions of government officials, state laws across the country authorize access to public records and require open public meetings. Though these rights exist on paper, they are not self-executing and often can result in costly litigation as the people attempt to enforce open government laws. One reform that could help serve as an advocate for the people’s right to know would be the authorization of an official open government ombudsman. This type of citizen-focused open government expert would help reduce the possibility of litigation when a public records dispute occurs.”
Other states should follow Wyoming’s example and create a formal Open Government Ombudsman to help citizens resolve public records and open meeting disputes.