NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee lawmakers said the most contentious issue this legislative session will probably be how much of the state's reserve funds should be used to save programs that risk being cut because of a severe budget shortfall.
The state is expected to be nearly a billion dollars in the hole, and Gov. Phil Bredesen will give lawmakers an idea of just how bad the situation is in his State of the State address Monday evening.
Many lawmakers said programs that benefit the state's most vulnerable citizens should be saved, and they're awaiting the governor's address before deciding how much should be taken from reserves
Currently, $533 million is in the rainy day fund and $342 million in TennCare reserves.
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