NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam denies the state lost a case in which the Tennessee Department of Children's Services must provide the public records of children who died or nearly died after the agency investigated reports they had been abused or neglected.
The Republican governor told reporters after an annual meeting of The Associated Press and Tennessee Press Association on Thursday that the state is simply adhering to a Nashville judge's ruling that it provide the records.
Chancellor Carol McCoy ruled last month the agency had to redact and release the documents, calling the state's argument that it needed more time "unpersuasive."
"We're doing what the chancellor asked us to do. She said, 'Tell us what it will cost.' She determines if it's fair or not. That's how it worked. We did not lose this lawsuit. I want to be clear - we're fine with the result of it," Haslam said.
WSMV-TV, The Associated Press and 10 other news organizations sued DCS in state court in December to obtain case records.
The state has said the cost to provide the records is about $56,000.
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