Stick to the Basics, Live Within Our Means

Governor Phil Bredesen presented his 2008 State of the State address to the 105th General Assembly and released his 2008-2009 recommended state budget on Monday, January 28.

On Monday, May 12, he presented his 2008-2009 Budget Update Address to the 105th General Assembly.

Archived video of the Governor's Budget Update Address is available by clicking the button below

Governor Bredesen believes that state government, like a family or business, must live within its available resources. The nation's economy has affected Tennessee, but Governor Bredesen has outlined a plan that balances our budget with no new taxes in spite of these difficult times. The Governor's approach keeps pre-K-12 education a top priority, including $60 million in new dollars for inflationary growth, while preserving the state's Rainy Day fund to ensure we have the necessary resources available until the economy recovers.

Click on the following links for more detailed information about the Governor's 2008 State of the State Address and recommended budget:

BUDGET UPDATE:

• Budget Update Address - Read the Governor's May 12 speech to the members of the General Assembly.
• Budget Update Press Release - Read a press release regarding the Governor's revised budget proposal for 2008-2009.
• Budget Update Presentation Ð View a PowerPoint presentation that outlines the GovernorÕs revised budget proposal for 2008-2009.

STATE OF THE STATE:

• 2008 State of the State Address - Read the full text of the Governor's 2008 State of the State speech to the General Assembly.
• Archived Video of the Governor's State of the State Address - Watch archived video of the Governor's 2008 State of the State address.
• 2008-2009 State Budget - View Governor Bredesen's 2008-2009 recommended budget.
• State of the State Press Release - Read a press release highlighting key components of Governor Bredesen's 2008 State of the State Address.
• PowerPoint Presentation - View a PowerPoint presentation that outlines the initiatives mentioned in Governor Bredesen's 2008 State of the State Address.
• Budget Briefing Video - Watch a video of a media budget briefing conducted by Governor Bredesen and Commissioner of Finance and Administration Dave Goetz. Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes.
• 2008-2009 Departmental Budget Hearings - Watch archived video of Governor Bredesen's 2008-2009 Budget Hearings.

Governor Bredesen's budget and management priorities include:

	Submitting a balanced budget. Governor Bredesen knows that state government, like a family or business, must live within its available resources.
	Preparing for economic downturns. Governor Bredesen has built Tennessee's "rainy day" fund to an all-time high so the state is prepared to manage as effectively through any downturns in the economy as it does during times of economic prosperity.
	Re-building investor confidence. Governor Bredesen has restored fiscal stability and sound management to state government. An upgrade of the state's bond rating by Moody's in 2007 followed upgrades the year before by Fitch and Standard & Poor's, confirming that a commitment to common sense budgeting, smart investments in education and health care, and record rainy day reserves are moving Tennessee in the right direction.
	Maintaining a hands-on approach. As a businessman, Phil Bredesen took active roles in the management of successful companies. As Governor, he's active in the budget process and has opened administrative budget hearings, allowing taxpayers to see for the first time the decisions that are made on how their money is spent.

To share your feedback with the Governor about his 2008 State of the State Address or his 2008-2009 recommended state budget, please email him at phil.bredesen@state.tn.us.

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