Kemp signs Georgia budget with raises, scholarship boosts

Republican Sen. Bo Hatchett speaks from the floor of the Georgia state Senate in Atlanta, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, during the final day of the legislature's 40-day session. Lawmakers faced final votes on a state budget and sought to reach agreement on a plan to improve mental-health care. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)

Raises are coming for state and university employees and public school teachers and Georgia will pay full college tuition for all HOPE Scholarship recipients under the budget signed Friday by Gov. Brian Kemp.

The Republican governor ratified the budget in a ceremony at the construction site for the new Hyundai Motor Group electric vehicle plant in Ellabell.

“There is a lot of good stuff in this budget to talk about,” Kemp said. “It’s important that Georgians know we’re delivering on our promises.”