Politics
Politics

Georgia lawmakers reach deal on $32.4B budget

Sen. Blake Tillery speaks during budget hearings in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Sen. Blake Tillery speaks during budget hearings in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)
By James Salzer
March 29, 2023

House and Senate leaders have struck a deal on the $32.4 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Budget negotiators forged a compromise on a Senate-backed push to slash $105 million from the higher education system, paring down the cut to $66 million.

House Chamber debate on HB18 during Crossover Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 6, 2023. HB18 will do mid-year budget changes to the fiscal 2022-23 Georgia budget. Monday is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to another. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

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Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Senate leaders had pushed for the broader cut to punish Wellstar Health System, which could benefit from a $105 million medical records upgrade approved in an earlier spending plan.

The final deal, which includes raises for teachers and law enforcement officials, will be voted on later Wednesday. Read more here.

- LIVE: Watch streams of the Georgia House and Senate

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

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