KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen was in East Tennessee Monday promoting pre-k schooling.

Bredesen toured Sarah Moore Greene Elementary School Monday, and with the national economy in a slump right now, the governor is trying to protect the things he holds most dear in our state.

That's preschool education which he's taken under his wing since becoming governor in 2003.

Monday afternoon the governor toured Greene Magnet Technology School on Brooks Avenue in East Knoxville.

It has 16 pre-k students in one of the governor's funded preschool programs.

He met with the principal and teachers and also signed some autographs for the little students.

The governor is trying to squeeze out as much money as possible for the state-wide program which serves 17,000 at-risk children in 934 classes.

"With the economy the way it is right now we're having a very tough year. we're going to have to cut 500 million from the budget, so I'm not going to be able to do as much for everything, and certainly not pre-k, as I wanted to. I'm certainly not going to cut it. I want to grow it some again this year to keep the momentum going, but it's going to be a tough year the economy. It's not something specific to Tennessee, it's just a reflection of the national economy things are getting really tight."

The governor's visit was part of preschool registration round-up.

It continues through this week at Greene Magnet School, but also at other schools near you. For more information, go to VolunteerTV.com, and click on the Hot Key.