Governor Says Stimulus Should Help Higher Ed

Governor Phil Bredesen says he thinks that the federal economic stimulus package, tentatively approved by a Congressional conference committee today, will help soften job cuts in the state higher education system.

“Actually I think the stimulus package, in both of its incarnations, and I haven’t seen obviously what was agreed to this afternoon, but had some money which really was very specifically directed at education and could be used to restore higher education. Those cuts in higher education and particularly the second layer of them, are very difficult cuts.”

The governor has promised a state budget in March that will reflect the changes in the stimulus package.

The governor also says he considers it “a very low probability” that he would be appointed to the position of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. He says he’s not actively seeking the position, but says he’s also not taking his name out of contention.