House Committee Passes Amended 2014 Budget; Full House Vote Expected Friday

Most of the new funds are designated for K-12 education.

“The vast majority – 150 something million dollars roughly – goes to the mid-term adjustment and that’s where you’re truing up how many students you’ve got in a school system from the original estimate going into the count at the first of the school year,” said House budget chair Terry England, R-Auburn.

The 2014 budget went into effect this past July and covers states expenses through June.

In addition to increased education spending, the amended version includes extra funds for economic development, as well as the Department of Community Health, which manages the state Medicaid program and Peachcare for Kids. The proposed budget also adds new funding for child protection services, which is under intense scrutiny due to two recent deaths of badly abused children. 

England said the speed in which the amended budget was approved reflects a “synergy” between legislative leaders and Gov. Nathan Deal. And he added modest growth in revenue didn’t hurt.

“Part of it is that there are additional funds to make those adjustments. We don’t have to go in looking for cuts so it just simplifies it all the way around,” said England.

A full House vote on the amended budget is expected Friday. It then needs to be approved by the Senate and the governor.

Once the amended 2014 budget is approved, lawmakers get down to the thornier process of approving a budget for the upcoming 2015 fiscal year.

“I think you’ll see a slower process with the FY 2015 budget. It’ll take a little longer. That’s where the new items are,” said Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus.

Deal has proposed a $20.8 billion budget for FY15 that includes the first pay increase in years for school teachers and state employees.

• Gov. Deal’s proposed Amended FY14 Budget
• Gov. Deal’s proposed FY15 Budget