Georgia House Passes Amended 2014 Budget

January 24th, 2014

Georgia’s House of Representatives Friday voted in favor of an amended budget for the current 2014 fiscal year.

Lawmakers bumped up the $19.9 billion approved last year by about $300 million.

Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, pointed out the House approved the amended budget on only the ninth legislative day.

“I don’t ever remember getting one out by January 24^th. I think Georgians can feel good about the fact we have really focused on the budget process and worked hard,” said Ralston.

The vote was 163-1. More than $150 million dollars of the new funds are designated simply to keep up with enrollment in the state’s K-12 schools.

Additionally, the amended version includes extra funds for child protection services. The state is under intense scrutiny due to two recent deaths of abused children.

“I’m encouraged every time we increase that funding because it means we’re increasing, number one, our awareness of the needs of those children and that we’re making it better and proper for those social workers to provide the services they need to provide,” said Stacey Abrams, top ranking Democrat in the House.

The amended 2014 budget still needs approval from the Senate and the governor.

House members now turn their attention to the tougher process of hammering out a budget for the 2015 fiscal year.

Deal has proposed a $20.8 billion budget for FY15. It includes a boost in education funding of more than $500 million.