NASHVILLE – Tennessee Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons is proposing cutting 35 highway patrol officers and 26 driver’s license workers across the state.
Gibbons told Republican Gov. Bill Haslam during a budget hearing Wednesday that the cuts along with some other reductions could save close to $4 million.
Gibbons acknowledged the cuts would probably mean reduction in coverage by troopers and an increased wait time at driver’s license centers.
The average wait time now at most centers is roughly 45 minutes, which Gibbons says is unacceptable.
To remedy the program, state officials are encouraging individuals to register online and reallocating workers to centers where they’re needed most.