Georgia will spend slightly more than originally planned under a midyear budget the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Tuesday. The state will spend about $18.5 billion -- an increase of nearly $207 million.
Gov. Nathan Deal’s original amended 2012 fiscal year budget called for even more spending, but Deal released new revenue estimates Monday calling for a $47 million change.
Deal, in a letter he sent Monday, wrote that the reduction is necessary because while revenue grew during the first five months of the fiscal year, it has been flat in recent months. Deal recommended the $47 million cut be made through three changes to the Department of Community Health.
Revenue collections must average a 4.4 percent month-over-month increase for the rest of the year for the state to make budget, said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill, R-Reidsville.
January’s revenue increased by just 0.7 percent, but so far state revenue has increased by 4.5 percent for fiscal year 2012. The fiscal year began July 1 and will end June 30.
Hill said there were "cosmetic changes" between the Senate and House budgets. The House approved the spending bill Feb. 3. The full Senate will now vote on the amended budget.
Both versions call for spending nearly $982.5 million in gas tax money for multiple projects, including $300 million toward a toll road project along I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties.
Appropriation subcommittees in the House and Senate are reviewing Deal’s proposed 2013 fiscal year budget. That budget goes into effect July 1 and ends June 30, 2013.
Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the uneven economic recovery facing the state and nation.
"While we are making recovery," Hill said, "that recovery is slow."
About the Author
