Georgia Senate backs $5 billion state spending increase, including worker bonuses and roadbuilding

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s Senate is supporting changes to the state budget that would add $5 billion in spending, including money for bonuses already paid to state employees and teachers, additional roadbuilding, new dental and medical schools, and paying down some state debts. The Senate voted 54-1 on Thursday to pass House Bill 915, which adds money to the current budget running through June 30. The House and Senate will now seek to work out their differences, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp once they agree. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery, a Vidalia Republican, told senators that there were relatively few differences between Kemp’s proposal and those of the House and Senate. “For 95% of the budget, there’s agreement,” Tillery said. Kemp proposed raising spending of state money to $37.5 billion from the $32.5 billion that lawmakers approved last year. Total spending, including federal aid, college tuition, fines and fees, would rise to $67.5 billion. The state can spend lots more, even though growth in tax collections is slowing, because Kemp set a revenue estimate much lower than what the state will actually collect this year and because Georgia has $10.7 billion in surplus cash beyond its...