By AP
Nashville, TN – The state's top fiscal officer says Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will find money to help flood victims by using the state's cash reserves if necessary. State Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz presented a summary of Bredesen's budget proposal to the Senate Finance Committee. He says about $17 million has been identified that can be pulled from different types of funds for emergency use.
Goetz says it's not yet known what impact the recent historic flooding in west and middle Tennessee will ultimately have on state spending, but he says state officials are prepared to dip into the rainy day fund if more money is needed. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has estimated at least $1.5 billion in flood damage to his city alone.