Tennessee's General Assembly gathered at the State Capitol for Governor Phil Bredesen's eighth and final state of the state address on Monday night. Bredesen discussed his budget plans for Tennessee over the next fiscal year.
"My goal throughout this recession has been to remain true to the principle of the family budget that I talked about when I first became Governor," said Bredesen. His push going forward is for law makers to only spend within the budget's means, and not to spend frivolously or outside Tennessee's core objectives for the year. This is a concept, Bredesen says, will use common-sense principles to balance money coming in and money going out.
The proposed $28 billion budget may require Tennesseans to pay more fees and result in some state employees losing their jobs. Some of the increased fees mentioned in Bredesen's speech include more money for driver's licenses and cable bills; however, more fees could come down the pike as we forge ahead in 2010. Bredesen talked about potential departmental cuts to the Department of Corrections, Higher Education, and Children's Services to compensate for spending.
In order to lessen the impact these cuts have on the state, the Governor wants to tap into Tennessee's rainy day fund. According to Bredesen, Tennessee is in a strong enough position to use these reserves to soften the blow of these cuts to make ends meet. Representative Jason Mumpower agrees with Bredesen's proposal and said, "…the level that has been proposed is not irresponsible; but, [we] definitely do not want to go any deeper." However, even with the rainy day funds available to balance out the budget, Capitol Hill still needs to make cuts and approximately 1,000 state employees will lose their jobs. As Bredesen hopes the economy will turn around, he plans for current state employees to receive a well-deserved 3% pay increase.
Governor Bredesen charged the Senate and The House to put a balanced budget in place no later than July 1rst.
Source: NewsChannel5.com
Comments
I think it's good that state employees are finally going to get an increase in pay. It's unfortunate that there will be job cuts to that same group of people.
It does not make sense to me, to cut jobs and yet give people a pay raise. How is an increased cable bill going to help the state recoup money? Isn't the cable companies privately owned???
That's awesome. What are TN's Core objectives? I can't believe they are going to cut Children Services. I used to work for that Department about 4 years ago. Back then, it was ridiculously understaffed, and the employees underpaid. There is no telling how bad it is now. I covered 8 Counties, when I was there, and always had double the case-load I was suppose to. I can't imagine how they plan to cut staff in this Department. Disturbing...
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