Senate panel approves $19.3 billion budget
A key Senate committee backed a $19.3 billion midyear spending plan Tuesday that would restore more than $2.7 million Gov. Nathan Deal has proposed cutting from Georgia Gwinnett College’s funding.
The full Senate will vote this week on the budget, which would trim $26 million overall but put more money into k-12 schools.
A slightly different version of the midyear spending plan — which runs through June 30 — has already been approved by the House. Once it passes the full Senate, legislative leaders will negotiate a final settlement.
The Senate’s midyear budget would send local school districts an extra $167.6 million, mostly to fund enrollment growth. It also would fill a hole of more than $200 million in the state’s health care program for the poor, elderly and disabled.
It would cut $73 million in basic funding for the University System of Georgia and nearly $40 million budgeted for economic development programs. Most agencies would take midyear cuts because state leaders aren’t sure tax collections will meet expectations if the economy slows during the first half of 2013.
About the Author
James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history
