By AP
Nashville, TN – Tennessee's Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen says he's working closely with his Republican successor on budget planning for the upcoming legislative session. Bredesen, who leaves office January 15th, says his administration is assembling the outlines of the state spending plan but that it will be up to Governor-elect Bill Haslam to make the final decisions on budget cuts. The new governor will be given a budget briefing Wednesday. Haslam has not yet named his finance commissioner, the Cabinet official traditionally in charge of state budget planning. Haslam says he doesn't want to rush into making that appointment to ensure he gets the best person for the job.