Rough times ahead for state budget, Blount legislators predict
By Joel Davisof The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: November 18. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: November 17. 2009 11:43PM
State Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, on Tuesday, told the members of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Human Resources Working Group that there would be one overriding concern when legislators get back to work.
"This year we're going to be talking in the General Assembly all budget, budget, budget," he said. "... (We will have to) leave some of the other issues -- whether wine in grocery stores or guns in wherever -- and deal with what's important."
According to projections from the office of Gov. Phil Bredesen, the worst-case scenario facing the state in the 2010-2011 budget is a possible $1.5 billion shortfall in revenues, which includes $515 million in budget cuts already built-in and forestalled by stimulus funds from the federal government.
In comments released to the press on Monday, Bredesen warned that the 2010-2011 budget will be a difficult one. The governor kicked off open budget hearings on Monday with the Department of Education. Budget hearings will continue through Nov. 23.
The budget would also have to be cut further to fund an approximately $82 million increase in Basic Education Program that accounts for the inflation and natural growth in school expenses. That might not happen.
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