Bredesen: Lawmakers won't like Tenn. budget cuts

WKRN Channel 2 News Associated Press - January 23, 2009 1:55 PM ET NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Phil Bredesen is warning lawmakers to be ready to make some difficult spending cuts this legislative session. Bredesen is scheduled to present his budget proposal to the General Assembly in two weeks. The Democrat says it will include about $900 million in reductions from Tennessee's current annual spending plan. In the governor's words: "There will be something for every legislator to not like in this budget." Bredesen says that deep cuts - including a reduction in the number of state employees - will be necessary even after a the passage of a long-expected federal relief package. Bredesen has asked most departments to prepare spending cuts of 6% and 15% and will decide later which tier will be needed.