Georgia Governor Kemp signs $36.1 billion state budget

Tuesday morning, Governor Brian Kemp signed the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget during a ceremony inside the Georgia State Capitol. The budget spends $36.1 billion in state money and $66.8 billion overall in the year beginning July 1. K-12 certified teachers will receive a $2,500 pay increase, with $382.1 million allocated in the budget. Law enforcement and child welfare workers will receive a $3,000 raise. Prekindergarten teachers also are getting a $2,500 raise. Plus, state employees, including public university employees making less than $70,000, will receive a 4% pay increase. The average state employee makes $50,400.& During his state of the state address in January, Kemp said the state can adopt an ‘all-of-the-above approach to education’. No matter if it’s public, private, homeschooling, charter or otherwise.& “It will also provide Georgia students a quality education, care for the health and well being of our families and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods,” Kemp said. “And because we budgeted conservatively and refuse to spend beyond our means, we’re able to invest in these core areas, while cutting taxes at the same time.” The budget calls for $1.5 billion for state transportation projects and $250 million for local water and sewer projects. It...