MEMPHIS — Records show that Democratic Sen. Ophelia Ford of Memphis missed more days of the 2014 legislative session than any other lawmaker.
The Commercial Appeal reported that Ford was listed as absent for 25 of the session's 53 days.
The second-largest absence was from Republican Rep. Kevin Brooks of Cleveland, who missed nine days.
Ford submitted letters to the Senate speaker for most of her absences, saying she was too physically ill to attend. One letter, sent two days before the session ended, said she had broken her hip and would not return this year.
Ford did not return messages from the newspaper seeking comment about the absences.
Lawmakers passed significant legislation this year, including a measure that allows high school graduates to attend community college for free.