The Georgia Senate on Wednesday approved an $18.2 billion spending plan that puts more money into going after tax dodgers and borrows from Medicaid to fund health benefits for state employees, retirees and teachers.
The Senate voted 47-4 for the budget for fiscal 2012, which begins July 1. The House earlier passed its own budget proposal. The two chambers will now negotiate a compromise plan that must be adopted before the General Assembly session ends in mid-April.
Besides funding everything from schools to prisons, the spending plan would put more than $600 million into construction projects. That is down from recent years, when then- Gov. Sonny Perdue sought to use big construction projects to spur employment.
"We are trying to focus on the most immediate needs of the state," said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill, R-Reidsville.
Sen. Steve Henson, D-Tucker, opposed the budget. He argued that it cut $300 million in funding for the University System of Georgia and slashed K-12 spending as well. He said the state spending cuts will mean higher college tuition for students.
"As a legislative body, we need to look toward our future," Henson said. "These kind of cuts to higher education and K-12 schools cannot continue if we are to be [economically] competitive."
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