Senate passes Ga. budget changes aiding K-12, health

ATLANTA — An amended state budget that increases spending on K-12 schools and public health passed the Georgia state Senate on Tuesday with a 52-0 vote, racing one step closer to passage.

With Senate changes, House Bill 80 returns to the House, where representatives could agree to Senate changes or demand a conference to work out differences. Legislative leaders have said it’s a priority for the budget to move quickly in case a COVID-19 outbreak forces lawmakers to stop meeting.

The measure spends $26.6 billion in state funds and $15.6 billion more in federal in the current year ending June 30.

Lawmakers agreed with Gov. Brian Kemp’s plan to add back $567 million to the state’s K-12 school funding formula, which was cut by $950 million last year when lawmakers feared a steeper drop in revenue. “It’s certainly a lot better position than we were in when we stood here last year,” Tillery said.

The Senate’s action came as Georgia announced another strong month for tax revenues, with overall collections running $900 million ahead of last year through January. State leaders express concern that there could be higher-than-usual income tax refunds, but the state could be on pace to end up with $1.5 billion more in revenue than last year, meaning even more money could be pushed into state savings accounts.

Overall, lawmakers cut $2.2 billion last June, or about 10% across the board. Most agencies besides K-12 schools, universities and technical colleges won’t get a substantial boost under the spending plan.

House Minority Leader Gloria Butler criticized the spending plan for not doing enough to help vulnerable Georgians, saying Democrats would have liked to have seen more spending for county health departments, a reduction in tax breaks and an increase in tobacco taxes.

“Many Georgia families exist on a wing and a prayer, barely holding it together right now,” Butler said.

The Senate would shift $11 million in bond money to help pay for further computer improvements in the Department of Public Health to track vaccinations and create an electronic appointment system. With money the House already added, lawmakers propose adding $27 million to these functions.