Kemp says state will pay a $1,000 year-end bonus to public and school employees

Gov. Brian Kemp and state leaders announce a one-time supplement for state employees, public school teachers and staff, along with University System of Georgia employees at the State Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, December 18, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Georgia’s government will put a little extra jingle in the pockets of state, university and public school employees, paying them a $1,000 year-end bonus, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday.

The Republican governor also said he would propose a permanent $104 million yearly allocation for school security going forward, enough to provide $45,000 to every Georgia public school, as he makes further plans to spend Georgia’s $11 billion in surplus funds.

Officials said the roughly 112,000 state and university employees would get the extra $1,000 by the end of the year, while school districts will determine when the roughly 196,000 teachers and support staff get the bonus. Elected officials and judges won’t get the cash.