Gov. Deal signs midyear budget, battle still looms over next year’s spending plan

Gov. Nathan Deal has signed a $19.3 billion midyear budget that would send an extra $167 million to local school districts to help fund increased student enrollment.

The midyear spending plan, approved by lawmakers earlier this month, also fills a hole of more than $200 million in the state’s health care program for the poor, elderly and disabled.

A bigger battle looms, though, over the $19.8 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July. The House and Senate have both approved separate versions of the plan and have until the end of Thursday to reach an agreement.