Press release, Jan. 14, 2016

For immediate release Jan. 14, 2015

Office of Communications (404) 651-7774

Deal: Budget prioritizes education, transportation investments

Gov. Nathan Deal today released his budget recommendations to the General Assembly for the amended current and upcoming fiscal years. The proposed budgets would bolster resources for education, the state's transportation network, public safety, health care, economic development, and efficiency in government.

"My team and I have worked diligently with our state agencies to produce meaningful recommendations that will resonate in the lives of Georgians," said Deal. "This includes investing in education, prioritizing our transportation needs and continuing to spur economic growth. I look forward to working with the General Assembly to move forward with these priorities, as we balance our budget and store up crucial reserves for rainy days."

FY2017 budget highlights include:

$23.7 billion in total state appropriations $300 million additional funds intended for teacher salary increases $26.2 million for Pre-K teacher pay raises

$825 million in new state general and motor fuel funds for transportation
Salary increases for state employees
Recommended state appropriations total $23.7 billion for the next fiscal year. If approved, the governor's amended fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017 budgets would, for example, assist local school systems as they work to provide teachers with raises while keeping students and teachers in the classroom for full calendar years. The additional $300 million for this purpose, combined with other funding, would bring the total additional dollars added for K-12 education over the past three fiscal years to more than $1.5 billion. The governor's recommendations also include significant support for Pre-K teachers who dedicate themselves to setting the state's youngest learners on track for success.
In addition, the proposals would help maintain and improve the state's roads and bridges to keep freight and commuters moving safely and efficiently. Legislation passed last year, House Bill 170, has resulted in over $800 million in additional appropriations for transportation for fiscal year 2017.
The budgets as proposed would also provide for salary increases to help recruit and retain high-performing state employees, including for jobs with large amounts of turnover, to enhance services provided for Georgians; continue promoting reduced caseloads for individuals working to protect the state's most vulnerable children; and advance Georgia's justice reform efforts, which are yielding positive results.
The General Assembly will use the governor's recommendations as a starting point to develop and pass the state's budget, which the governor will then sign or veto. The governor can also veto line items within the as-passed version. The final budgets specify how much state funding various agency programs will receive. The current fiscal year ends June 30, and fiscal year 2017 begins July 1.
Links to electronic versions of the Governor's Budget Reports can be found on the Office of Planning and Budget's website. Highlights from the Governor's recommendations for FY2017 and the amended FY2016 are attached.

Jen Talaber jtalaber@georgia.gov
Alyssa Botts abotts@georgia.gov

EDUCATED GEORGIA

Budget Highlights Governor's Recommendation for AFY 2016
SAFE GEORGIA

K-12 Public Schools $109,913,685 for a mid-term adjustment for QBE growth, including $13,358,432 for the State Charter Schools Supplement and $2,338,622 for the Charter Systems Grant.
$1,651,892 to support the information technology applications utilized by local school systems.
Student Finance $20,233,824 for growth in the Move on When Ready dual enrollment program.
$30,326,187 in additional lottery funds for an increase in HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship recipients attending public postsecondary institutions.
$525,808 in state funds to meet the projected need in the North Georgia Military Scholarship Grants program.
HEALTHY GEORGIA
Community Health $90,935,473 for the Indigent Care Trust Fund, Medicaid, and PeachCare for Kids, including $32.5 million for growth, $14.7 million to ensure private hospitals benefit from the federal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program, $26.5 million for expenses associated with new Hepatitis C and Cystic Fibrosis drugs, $4.2 million for the Medicare clawback payment, and $13.1 million for the hold harmless provision in Medicare Part B premiums.

Highway Safety $821,554 to provide driver's education programming for teen drivers in accordance with Joshua's Law.
Public Defenders $3,000,000 to meet projected expenditures for conflict cases.
Defense $409,156 for equipment for the new Youth Challenge Academy in Milledgeville.
GROWING GEORGIA
Community Affairs $14,900,000 for the OneGeorgia Authority to provide grants to local school systems for broadband internet connectivity through the Connections for Classrooms program and to provide funds for live online instruction and other digital platforms for students and teachers.
$3,500,000 for the OneGeorgia Authority for the construction of a seawall on Hutchinson Island in Savannah.
Economic Development $650,000 for economic development outreach in China.
Natural Resources $3,000,000 to support an increase in hazardous waste cleanup activities.
MOBILE GEORGIA

Human Services $51,482,167 for child welfare services for expenses associated with the increased number of children in state custody.

House Bill 170 $758,713,485 in new state general and motor fuel funds for transportation resulting from HB 170 (2015 Session).

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The Governor's Budget Report Amended FY 2016