State Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) is not happy with the budget, and he believes he has enough votes to amend it. His beef is with the buyouts, and the lack of information he says the legislature has on the governor’s plan. So here’s what he wants to do: take $100 million out of the rainy day fund as an “insurance policy” for one year. He says this will give the state one year to figure out if the economic situation will get better, before laying people off. He says the governor can continue on with the buyouts, but that if not enough people take them, it will prevent layoffs. He told me he has 53 votes, but that right now the administration is trying to talk his 53 people out of voting for the amendment.
I haven’t spoken with Commissioner Goetz yet about it, but he did tell the AP this morning that Turner’s plan was “absolutely insane”.
Update: I just spoke with Commissioner Goetz, he’s not thrilled about Turner’s plan, to say the least. He thinks the plan is a throwback to the Sundquist days, and could put the state’s bond rating in jeopardy (among other things).
