Tennessee: Senate Republicans delay budget alternative

NASHVILLE - Senate and House Republicans today delayed their proposed budget alternative for the second time in a week and quickly sought to pin the blame on Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen.

"Senate Republicans are working on our budget but the Democrats' tax plan needs to be put forward so we know exactly what the governor is proposing," Lance Frizzell, deputy chief of staff for Republican Speaker Ron Ramsey, said in an e-mail.

But Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker countered that "Senate Republicans have all the information they need to present an alternative budget. It's time for them to put something on the table so this process can move forward."

Lt. Gov. Ramsey, who is running for governor, told reporters nearly two weeks ago that Republicans would present a $130 million to $150 million budget-cutting alternative to Gov. Bredesen's proposed tax increases by the end of last week.

The governor's plans include a proposal to lift the sales tax cap on big-ticket items to raise $85 million.

The GOP deadline then slipped to Tuesday, and now has been put off indefinitely.

Mr. Frizzell said lawmakers always await the governor's final plan before acting and so far have "not received the administration amendment with the governor's tax plan that we were told we would have by April 16th."

Ms. Lenker said language in the administration's revised plan has been provided both to Republican Comptroller Justin Wilson and the Finance committee chairmen. Ms. Linker said Gov. Bredesen "held a detailed briefing with legislative leadership last week."

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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