Georgia Republicans push a message on higher ed cuts
Before the Georgia Senate passed a $32.4 billion budget, several GOP senators tried to make a not-so-subtle point about their decision to slash funding to the higher education system by $66 million.
The Republicans peppered state Sen. Blake Tillery, the chief Senate budget negotiator, with a spree of questions about other funding in the spending plan that benefits Georgia’s colleges and universities.
State Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, contended that overall higher education spending amounts to more than $4.5 billion. Others highlighted the construction of new buildings on campuses around the state and a significant boost to HOPE scholarship funding.
The cuts were orchestrated by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and his allies in part to object to a $105 million item approved earlier this year to upgrade the records system that could benefit Wellstar Health System.
About the Authors
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
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
