This is the Week to Push For Tennessee Budget Items

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The heads of state government departments will begin presenting their proposed budgets on Monday to Gov. Bill Haslam.

The Tennessean reports the annual hearings are among the first steps to be taken as state leaders begin crafting a budget for next fiscal year.

Haslam, Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin, Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams and state budget director David Thurman will listen to the requests from various department heads all week.

Haslam has asked all departments to prepared budgets for the upcoming year with a 3.5 percent cut in funding.

The administration uses the proposals to submit a recommended budget to lawmakers when they convene in January. It is up to lawmakers to pass a final budget.