Bredesen 'Mule Team' Finishing Education Money Bid

Nashville, Tenn.

Administration officials and consultants worked Friday to complete Tennessee's application for $485 million in federal "Race to the Top" money while lawmakers sought to reconcile differences on a bill seen as key to the state's bid.

The group nicknamed the "mule team" has been meeting on the 13th floor of the Tennessee Tower — overlooking the legislative office complex — while putting the finishing touches on the 180-page application and 340 pages of exhibits and attachments.

Will Pinkston, a senior adviser to Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, said the "vast majority" of the application was done, though it wouldn't be complete until the Legislature passes the bill and...