House spending plan would boost transportation, education

By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The House Appropriations Committee approved a budget plan Thursday that would increase state spending by about $255 million this year.

The committee's budget follows a recommendation by Gov. Nathan Deal for state spending to grow to about $18.6 billion for the 2012 fiscal year. The two budgets differed over the use of federal funds, with the committee in favor of more spending. The committee's total budget equals $39.6 billion, compared with the $38.4 billion in Deal's plan.

Transportation and education programs would get some of the largest increases under the committee's plan.

Spending for transportation would increase by about $700 million. The committee also specified spending for certain projects, such as $300 million toward a toll road for Cobb and Cherokee counties and $200 million for airport aid projects.

The Education Department would get about $14 million more in state money, including funding for charter school systems, a pay bump for some certified math and science teachers, and $7 million to school districts projected to receive less money under changes to the funding formula that would go into effect next year.

Other agencies would receive less money, such as a $15 million reduction in benefits paid out by the Department of Community Health.

The 2012 fiscal year began July 1 and ends June 30.

The full House could vote on the plan as early as Friday.