Fiscal Year 2018 Budget

We have successfully completed day 36 and are two weeks away from the last day of the legislative session, Sine Die. The Senate was busy last week with committee meetings running late into the evening to ensure that house bills that crossed over are properly vetted before they can be considered on the Senate floor.

Of the 17 measures we debated and voted on last week, the only one that we are constitutionally obligated to pass is House Bill 44, the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) general budget. The FY18 estimated general state fund revenue is nearly $25 billion. The proposed budget includes pay package increases, additional retirement funding and funding for renovations in Senate District 25.

Addressing salaries and the retirement system for teachers remains a top priority for the Senate. In the proposed budget, $160.1 million would be allocated in additional funds to provide a two percent increase to teacher’s base salaries. Also, with a recommendation to add $223.5 million, the Teachers Retirement System would be fully funded.

Both of these proposals will help us retain the top talent and ensure that our teachers have the right tools to succeed in Georgia. Along with increasing teacher’s salaries and their retirement funds, around $240 million was included in the Department of Education bond package for capital outlay programs around the state. This funding would address school construction in Georgia.

In the proposed budget, there is a recommendation to fund the renovation of the Jones County Public Library. The $1.3 million is part of the University System of Georgia bond package. I am happy to see that the FY18 general budget includes allocations to address a much needed renovation in our community. This library provides a great service for not only our children but everyone who enjoys exploring literary works and learning more about the world.

I am proud of the hard work the Senate Appropriations Committee has done to make our proposed budget as fiscally conservative as possible. If you have any questions about the budget or any legislation that is pending, please reach out to my office.

For the full version of HB 44 and details related to the Senate version, follow the link below:

http://www.senate.ga.gov/sbeo/en-US/AppropriationsDocuments.aspx