Gov. Phil Bredesen on Monday presented a summary of spending cuts needed to balance the state’s budget. They include:
RECURRING CUTS:
— $136 million in state employee costs through cutting 2,000 workers, eliminating a pay raise and raising health insurance copays and deductibles.
— $114 million in increases in K-12 education funding.
— $80 million expansion of TennCare’s medically needy program.
— $56 million in higher education operating money.
— $22 million for new pre-kindergarten classrooms.
ONE-TIME CUTS:
— $54 million from Correction Department maintenance and small construction.
— $38 million in higher education capital maintenance.
— $35 million in previously planned deposits in the “rainy day” reserve fund.
— $25 million from less-than-expected school funding costs.
— $17 million in state building maintenance.
— $14 million from environmental programs, including the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund.
— $11 million for Health Department grants, including $5 million in the state’s smoking cessation program.
— $10 million for the economic development jobs package.
— $10 million in agriculture equipment, grants.
— $5 million in education grants for K-12, higher education.
Source: Gov. Phil Bredesen’s office.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.