Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-4-107: Compensation of personnel - Discharge

The governor may strike from the state payroll any state employee appointed by the governor or the governor's appointee, and may fix, increase or decrease the salary of such employee. The salaries of the commissioners and other officers as set out in § 8-23-101 shall be fixed as therein provided. In no case, however, shall any compensation for personal services be fixed in excess of the amount of money appropriated by the general assembly for personal services in any department or agency of the state government.