NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen said today he will consider implementing state employee furloughs and contract freezes as he makes cuts in the 2010-2011 budget he presents next year to Tennessee lawmakers.

“I am very willing to look at that,” said Gov. Bredesen, who begins a series of budget hearings Monday with department heads.

Tennessee, like other states, has seen its revenues plummet as a result of the recession. Gov. Bredesen is asking state agencies to prepare 6 percent cuts from their budgets and an extra 3 percent in cuts in the event that revenues continue struggling.

He recently said “it would be impossible to imagine they could do that without putting layoffs on the table.” The state is already using savings and stimulus funds to delay some 700 layoffs until the end of the current fiscal year.

Earlier this week, Tennessee State Employees Association acting President Almous Austin questioned the need for additional cuts.

“Who will provide services to the citizens across the state?” Mr. Austin said.