Bredesen stresses budget shortfall

[SharonAnn]

"I've been trying to handle all this ... but it might be better if I showed a little panic from time to time," ...

http://knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/26/bredesen-stresses-budget-shortfall/

Bredesen stresses budget shortfall

NASHVILLE - With hostility among legislators high and state revenue low, Gov. Phil Bredesen says there is too much concern with "nonsense stuff" and too little awareness of budget problems.

"I've been trying to handle all this with a steady hand on the rudder, but it might be better if I showed a little panic from time to time," the governor mused in a recent interview.

Bredesen said his draft budget, which will be formally unveiled Feb. 9, includes about $900 million in cuts with the possibility of up of 2,000 layoffs in general state government, not counting higher education.

But he said some legislators are "getting a little complacent" about the budget situation, not realizing the seriousness. One lawmaker, he said, told him state employees need more than a 3 percent raise in the coming year and asked how big a boost was coming.

http://knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/26/bredesen-stresses-budget-shortfall/