This story is free to read.

House GOP to take another run at Tennessee spending plan

House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, center, speaks with representatives and staff on the House floor in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, May 4, 2017. The chamber delayed a vote on the state's annual spending plan amid deep disagreements between Republicans over spending priorities. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, center, speaks with representatives and staff on the House floor in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, May 4, 2017. The chamber delayed a vote on the state's annual spending plan amid deep disagreements between Republicans over spending priorities. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

By Associated Press May 5, 2017 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee Republicans are hoping cooler heads will prevail in the House on Friday when they take another run at passing the state’s $37 billion annual spending plan.

A series of heated exchanges before and during Thursday’s floor session included GOP lawmakers alleging that they had been lied to and that they were being used as pawns by minority Democrats. A series of amendments were added to the budget bill during the floor session that put the lower chamber’s budget plan at odds with what has been hammered out in the Senate.

All the bluster may end up being for naught, because the Senate appears unwilling to go along with any of the major House changes. The state constitution requires lawmakers to pass a balanced budget plan every year.