NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ‘ More state spending cuts may be necessary after another month of lower-than-expected tax collections, Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday. Tennessee’s general fund tax collections were $28 million below expectations in February, bringing the state’s overall budget shortfall for the year to about $212 million. “We almost certainly will have some further cuts,” Bredesen said. “We’ll handle them smoothly.” Bredesen, a Democrat, said he would wait another month before deciding on what specific cuts will be necessary. “I’m certainly going to see one more month in the can here before we make final decisions at the end,” he said. “I’m not going to chase it every two weeks as numbers come in.” The budget year ends June 30.
