Lawmakers
return after organizational recess
The legislature is gearing up
for the first session of the 106th General Assembly, after a
short recess to organize. A flurry of legislation is likely to be filed in
the next couple of weeks as lawmakers prepare for one of the most difficult
budget years in Tennessee
history. As Congress debates the federal stimulus package, uncertainty
looms in the legislature as to what the budget picture will look like
depending on its passage.
Governor
to address legislature next week
Governor Phil Bredesen is
slated to give his State of the State Address next week, on February 9th,
at 5:45 p.m. Breaking tradition, the Governor will not present his plan for
the budget due to the uncertainty stemming from the federal stimulus
package from which Tennessee stands to gain $3.8 billion over two years if
passed. Instead, he will give a general overview of his priorities, and
update the General Assembly on possible outcomes.
Because the United States
House has already passed the stimulus package, the bill is now being
debated in the Senate, where it is encountering opposition. While it is
unclear as to what the final product will be, Tennessee lawmakers believe it is
responsible to wait, as the bill will have a large impact on the state
budget.
Continued
on page 2…
