Bredesen didn't raise taxes 900 million, he was incorrect in that claim. Bredesen did raise several taxes but what he really raised that didn't require legislative approval were various fees. Another thing Bredesen did was raid the Transportation fund nearly every year he was in office to balance the budget and did away with our history of "pay as you go" road building.
BTW the Dems controlled the house until 2009 and the Senate until 04 (when it was an even split for 2 years) so the legislature was not red during his two terms.