Tenn. Code § 9-4-604
No person shall draw any money from the public treasury until all debts, dues, and demands owing by such person to the state are first liquidated and paid off. The commissioner of finance and administration shall not issue any warrant upon the treasury in favor of a person in default until all of such person's arrearages to the treasury are audited and paid, otherwise than by allowing such defaulter or delinquent credits on the amounts of such person's delinquencies for such sum or sums as may at any time be due and owing to such person from the treasury. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, the commissioner may issue such a warrant upon the commissioner's determination that refusing to issue such a warrant would result in an interruption of essential services.
T.C.A. § 9-4-604