Delta Regional Authority

 

   May 14, 2009

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Governor Phil Bredesen said job cuts that were supposed to come over the next two years, could be coming sooner, than later.

 

Bredesen at first thought he could avoid layoffs until sometime next year, but he had learned the budget situation was $250 million worse than expected.

 

Some lawmakers do not like some of the cuts, and some advocates believe these cuts could, cost people their lives.

"I think at the time that I delivered this budget there is something for everyone to hate," said Bredesen.

 

There was a proposed tax on the health maintenance organization that some worry could eventually cause health insurance premiums to go up. 

 

Trauma Center budgets around the state could lose $10 million. The state was also looking to save millions by suspending pay raises for state troopers.

 

Then there was the issue of state employee layoffs, which could be coming sooner than later."We haven't decided exactly what we are going to do yet, but it certainly puts back on the table the idea of some personnel actions fairly quickly," said Bredesen.

 

The Governor was the first to admit these are painful cuts, but there was no avoiding them."I am trying to work and make the best calls we can to get the state through this period of time without reducing the reserves to nothing," said Bredesen.

One example of proposed cuts was to mental health services.

 

"These budget cuts are basically going to cause people to go without services, and put their life in danger," said Tony Garr with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign.

 

When people have no insurance they typically come to a state run Mental Health Institute, but new budget cuts could mean the state could start turning people away.

 

"If they are having a serious psychotic episode, and they need mental health coverage, they are going to end up in the emergency room or the jail," said Garr.

 

The Governor has plans to slash more than $11 million in funding for mental health institutions in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis and in West Tennessee. The cuts could take effect on July 1.

 

Over the next few weeks, people will hear debates to avoid the cuts.

The Governor said he was open to new ideas, but the bottom line remained he still has a $1.3 billion shortfall.

Other budget cut ideas include no longer requiring the Department of Children's Services to serve people ages 18 and 19. That cut could save the state $5 million.