A compromise is needed between the House of Representatives and the Senate of Georgia to adopt the state budget.

ATLANTA, Georgia. Georgia lawmakers are making every effort this year to pass the budget, as it is the only mandatory legislative action they need to complete annually. The total budget amounts to about $36 billion. According to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), around $300 million is still under discussion. "Many residents of the state feel the impact of this budget, and you will see my dissatisfaction in the final budget report," Hatchett noted.

On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives voted to return the budget document to the Senate. Lawmakers emphasize that the situation is challenging and that they are operating with a lack of funds. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) noted that he is seeking increased funding for literacy programs and for the Department of Corrections.

This year, funding for mental health and medical services has reached record levels. "If you want to understand someone's priorities, look at their spending. We will continue to fund the mental health sector, as what was once a problem in our prisons has now become a problem in hospitals," Tilleri added.

The House's proposals differ from the Senate's, as they require more funding for courts and judges, and they also support a bill that suggests raising teachers' salaries on the condition that they carry firearms while working. Nevertheless, they agree on key issues, including salary increases for...4%for civil servants with an income of up to70,000 dollarsA regular government employee earns just over50,000 dollarsThe budget also includes a salary increase of2,500 dollarsfor teachers in kindergartens and schools, starting fromJuly 1that will raise the average salary of teachers to65,000 dollarsper year.

The bill will be presented and reviewed in the House of Representatives and the Senate on Thursday. All rights reserved. Copyright 2024 WANF.