State
Tn Gov Signs State Spending Plan
By Associated Press
Jun 25, 2008, 21:52

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Governor Bredesen has signed Tennessee's $27.8 billion annual spending plan into law.

The Democratic governor and lawmakers cut nearly $500 million from the spending plan toward the end of the legislative session because of worsening economic conditions.

Lawmakers' only constitutional responsibility is to pass a
balanced budget. The state's July-through-June budget year begins next Tuesday.

The cuts included reducing the number of state employees by 5 percent, eliminating a planned increase in K-12 education funding and no new money to expand the state's public pre-kindergarten program.

Only one state senator and four House members voted against the budget proposal when it came up for votes last month. All five are Republicans.

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