A look at proposed cuts to the Tennessee budget

Monday, May 12, 2008

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.

Subscribe Here!
Side Orders