NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen has rejected a request from the Tennessee State Employees Association to call a special legislative session this month to restore $50 million in bonuses for state employees.
Bredesen, who leaves office Jan. 15, said through a spokeswoman that he thinks the bonus issue is better left up to Gov.-elect Bill Haslam.
“Given that our state is preparing to inaugurate a new governor in a matter of weeks, Governor Bredesen believes it would be inappropriate to hold a special session this month on this matter,” Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said in an e-mail.
The bonuses, recommended by Bredesen but approved on a contingency basis by lawmakers, were canceled in October when state revenue collections failed to meet projections.
TSEA officials said the money is now there and the state’s more than 40,000 workers deserve something after going three years with no salary increase.
Newly elected House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, noted that lawmakers’ legislation had set specific conditions that had to be met for the bonuses to go through. He said he “would defer to the new administration on that.”
David Smith, spokesman for Haslam’s transition team, said “Gov.-elect Haslam and his team are monitoring the situation closely, and it remains a priority of his to see state employees appropriately compensated as it becomes feasible.”
Contact staff writer Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.