NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Legislative leaders are hoping to adopt Tennessee's annual spending plan as early as this week, clearing the way to the conclusion of the legislative session.
But that assumes that the Republican-controlled House and Senate can find quick agreement over budget cuts proposed by Gov. Bill Haslam to close a funding gap created by flagging tax revenues.
Haslam has said planned increases in higher education funding and pay raises for teachers and state employees will have to be abandoned to balance the books.
Some lawmakers have grumbled that those cuts are difficult to make in an election year.
House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick has said he is still polling his GOP colleagues about whether they want to schedule a veto override session in a few weeks.