Lawmakers struggled to come up with a $21 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year because tax revenues are slowing due to the sluggish economy. However, they approved funding millions of dollars in local projects, including:

• $8 million for the Speaker Murphy Library and Office at the University of West Georgia.

• $4 million for a flight building at the Paulding County Regional Airport in the memory of Hal Echols, Wesley Rakestraw and Steve Simpson.

• $750,000 for animal rescue center in Fort Valley.

• $110,000 for a strategic plan for the Golf Hall of Fame in Augusta.

• $50,000 for downtown development program in Dallas.

• $50,000 for camp improvements at the Ocee Arts Center in Johns Creek.

• $40,000 to award scholarships for Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

• $20,000 to renovate a livestock barn and arena in Baxley.

• $20,000 for a new intercom system at the South Cobb High School gymnasium.

• $16,000 for equipment for the Temple High School band in Carroll County.

• $15,000 to help with traffic congestion study in Milton.

• $10,000 help build "universally accessible tree house" in Rome.

• $10,000 to purchase equipment and supplies for a Little League in Columbia County.

• $10,000 to promote tourism in Walker County.

• $10,000 to renovate the historic Crawfish Springs Masonic Lodge in Chickamauga.

• $8,000 to replace seats at the old theater in downtown Alma.

• $5,200 to restore a water tower in Liberty County.

• $5,000 to restore the old post office in Adel into a museum.

• $2,500 to help purchase materials and equipment for a commercial aviation museum in Clay County.

Source: State budget for fiscal 2009 approved by House and Senate