NASHVILLE — Bill Haslam was sworn in as the state’s 49th governor Saturday and immediately warned Tennesseans that “difficult choices face us” as his administration moves to close the state’s budget gap.
“Going forward, the governor’s responsibilities will be different,” the 52-year-old Republican and former Knoxville mayor said. “Compared to 20 years ago, efficiency now is the operative word because resources are fewer. There is no other choice.”
But Haslam also challenged Tennesseans to “aspire to be more” and vowed to lead the way.
“As Tennesseans we often aim too low when it comes to our education, our health and our economy. It’s time to raise our sights,” Haslam said.
Cornelia A. Clark, chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, administered the oath of office a few minutes before noon Central time. Haslam placed his hand on his personal Bible and repeated the oath while his wife, Crissy, and the couple’s three children looked on.
More than 3,000 people watched the ceremony on Legislative Plaza with the state Capitol as backdrop. The Tennessee National Guard later fired a 19-gun salute.
Earlier, Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen delivered his farewell address and asked Tennesseans “whatever your politics, to figure out how to help him [Haslam] and not how to tear him down.”
In his remarks, Haslam warned there are “few easy alternatives” in balancing the budget and said state government will be “going on a diet of efficiency and effectiveness.”
“We will make the right decisions that point us toward the future, while doing so with a measure of compassion,” he said.
Tennessee has cut some $1.5 billion over three years and some $900 million of that will take effect in the coming year. Revenues are picking up but the state has a $185 million budget shortfall and federal stimulus money is ending.
On continuing to reform education, Haslam said it would be “shame on us if we let this moment escape without meaningful action.”
And on work force development, Haslam said government “stands ready to assist, but government is not the solution.” It can provide “building blocks” such as training “but equally important is the individual determination and drive to invest the time and energy and hard work.”
Haslam’s inauguration completed the sweep that put Republicans in the governor’s mansion and gave them control of the state House and Senate for the first time since 1869.
House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, said he thinks the new governor on his speech “wanted to lower expectations of any new programs, and brace people for cuts and basically limiting the size of government.
Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee, was pleased by Haslam’s discussion of government efficiency and his stated desire to create a panel to review state functions.
“I look forward to him looking at state government, in his description, from top to bottom,” Watson said. “That’s what we do in Government Operations. … We’ll have an opportunity, hopefully, to participate in that process with him.”
Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, said Haslam “laid out clearly that jobs are the main focus of our Legislature in the next year. That includes both immediate needs and over the long term through looking at our education system.”
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester called it an “interesting speech” and added, “It certainly set the bar very low in terms of expectation, given the fiscal realities the state is facing.”
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield said that “we are now in an age when politicians have to take back instead of give — and I’ve certainly experienced that. I think we are definitely going to be seeing that for a while.”