NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Rules that critics say would hurt transparency at the new $160 million Tennessee State Museum are set to be reconsidered.
State lawmakers on Tuesday took aim at the policy that they said restricts museum commission members from interacting with the public and the media, with the threat of removal from the panel if they violate the rules.
Thomas Smith, the chairman of the museum board, told the Joint Government Operations Committee the rules were only meant to keep members from speaking on behalf of the commission, and that it wasn't the goal to oust any of the appointees made by the governor or the House and Senate speakers. But he said the rules will now be re-evaluated.
Commissioner Victor Ashe said the policy represents an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech.