Georgia Senate Passes Its Take On Midyear Budget Cuts

The Georgia Senate on Wednesday passed its version of midyear budget cuts in a nearly unanimous vote, approving a plan to cut $159 million in state spending for the fiscal year that ends June 30. “This is a budget with few real adds, frankly,” said state Sen. Jack Hill, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Georgia Senate on Wednesday passed its version of midyear budget cuts in a nearly unanimous vote, approving a plan to cut $159 million in state spending for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

Compared to earlier proposals from Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and the state House, the Senate budget adds money for county health departments and for more state troopers, while grabbing money from other areas. It also funds an expansion project at Macon’s airport meant to spur economic development in the region.

The spending plan was passed by a vote of 52-1 on Wednesday. The Senate and House will next have to come to an agreement on the proposals, before it goes to the governor’s desk.