Gov. Haslam defends his moves to make records confidential...tn again

[spanone]

Gov. Bill Haslam says it’s “not easy” to strike a balance between efficiency and transparency in state government. In several cases this year, the Republican governor has sided in favor of making information confidential.

Haslam has signed measures to make confidential the names of all but the three finalists for leadership positions in state colleges and universities, and to prevent parents from finding out the evaluation scores of teachers.

Haslam in an interview with The Associated Press last week also continued to defend his failed effort to close off information about companies — including the identities of their owners — that receive cash grants from the state.

“Ultimately, it’s a balancing act between what’s doing best for the state and protecting the public’s right to know,” Haslam said. “And that’s not easy.”

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120522/NEWS0201/305220042/Haslam-defends-his-moves-make-records-confidential?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p