Georgia lawmakers have approved a budget that includes pay raises for public school teachers and state employees, as well as increased spending on education, health care, and mental health. The budget, totaling $36.1 billion in state money and $66.8 billion overall, was passed with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. Governor Brian Kemp backed the budget and is expected to sign it into law. The spending plan represents a decrease from the previous year, which saw a boost in state spending due to one-time cash injections.
One of the key provisions in the budget is a $2,500 raise for public school teachers, which will raise the average teacher pay in Georgia above $65,000 annually. In addition, prekindergarten teachers will also receive a $2,500 raise. State and university employees are set to receive a 4% pay increase, with a cap at $70,000 in salary. Some specific groups, such as state law enforcement officers and child welfare workers, will receive additional raises on top of the general increase. However, judges will only receive the 4% raise, rather than the larger increases originally proposed.
The budget includes significant funding for Georgia’s public prekindergarten program, with additional funds allocated from lottery proceeds. Lawmakers praised the boost in funding for early childhood education, highlighting the importance of investing in the state’s youngest learners. The budget also addresses healthcare funding, with increased payments to various healthcare providers, as well as additional funding for domestic violence shelters and sexual assault response programs. Lawmakers agreed to raise premiums for health insurance for non-certified school employees, citing the need to balance costs with the state’s investments in education.
Lawmakers also allocated funds for new construction projects, at the Governor’s request, while seeking to limit ongoing spending commitments in case of future revenue fluctuations. The state plans to pay for new buildings and equipment in cash, rather than borrowing, reflecting Georgia’s surplus cash reserves. Overall, the budget represents a compromise between various priorities, with an emphasis on providing raises for teachers and state employees, increasing funding for education and healthcare, and addressing critical needs such as domestic violence prevention. Lawmakers hailed the budget as a step forward for Georgia’s public services and a testament to collaborative decision-making in the legislature.
