Tenn. gov to lawmakers: GOP budget plan 'stupid'

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/06/11/tenn_gov_to_lawmakers_gop_budget_plan_stupid/


Tenn. gov to lawmakers: GOP budget plan 'stupid'
By Erik Schelzig
Associated Press Writer / June 11, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen characterized Senate Republicans' budget proposal as "stupid," according to several lawmakers who attended a meeting with the Democrat on Thursday.

The GOP proposal would remove funding for the state to acquire land for a West Tennessee megasite that would be used to attract large manufacturers and more jobs to the state.

It would also scuttle Bredesen's plan to spend $62 million in federal stimulus money to build a solar generation plant at the site near Brownsville and establish a solar research institute at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

"The governor was a little upset," said House Speaker Kent Williams, R-Elizabethton. "I don't disagree."

However, Republican Senate Finance Chairman Randy McNally of Oak Ridge said Republican leaders have been talking with members of the governor's staff and an agreement has been reached on the megasite and plant.

"Our leadership has instructed us to remove the hold that was put on the funding for the megasite as well as the solar panel," McNally said.

Williams said the House will present its own approach to budget cuts next week, and criticized his Republican colleagues in the Senate for rushing out their additional cuts.

"The administration has been working on the budget for five months, and the Senate comes up with this in one week?" he said.

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