Gov. Bredesen's budget speech last night was a disappointment, but it was one to be expected.
One of the greatest disappointments was his decision not to expand the pre-K program. He tried to put a good face on it saying, "every classroom and every teacher we pay for today is again paid for, with inflation, in this budget." That's little comfort to the students who won't get the benefits of pre-K and the school districts who won't see graduation rates increase.
Just moments later, after claiming that Tennessee puts education first, Bredesen cut 4.1 percent from the higher education budget. It's hard to see education as the top priority when promised expansions are canceled and other budgets are cut.
TennCare suffered from the same logic -- no cuts in programs, but expansion plans, which had been approved, have been eliminated.
The cuts are disappointing and it's tragic that those who most need government's help -- the poor, the sick and our children -- have to suffer.
We disagree with Bredesen's choices, but we have to acknowledge that it's a tough year for state government. Difficult decisions had to be made. We just wish the pain was felt more by the well off, who have options, than those who have no where else to turn.
-- Jim Grinstead
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