Governor Bredesen Opens State Budget Hearings

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen kicked off his seventh round of open state budget hearings Monday at the State Capitol, beginning with the Department of Education as is his tradition. Following the budget hearing, Bredesen and Education Commissioner Dr. Timothy Webb led an interactive civics lesson with high school students from four school systems. The students watched the budget hearing via streaming video, then submitted their questions about the education budget and state budget process to Bredesen and Webb for response.

“I am proud to be the governor who began the tradition of open hearings here in Tennessee, and hope we will continue to serve as an example of open government,” Bredesen said. “Our customers – Tennessee's taxpayers – have a right to see how their money is being spent. I'm also pleased we're taking advantage of this unique opportunity to bring the "real world" of government into the classroom.”