ATLANTA, GA. (AP) - The Georgia Senate has passed its version of a $47.5 billion budget, setting the stage for negotiations with the House over a spending plan.
Senators agreed with House members that public employees should receive 3 percent pay increases and state retirees should get a one-time boost. The Senate added pay increases totaling 10 percent for nurses at the state's public health agency or working with local public health entities.
Passing a budget is the General Assembly's only constitutionally required role each year. The final day of the legislative session is set for March 24, and the spending plan must go to the governor before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
About $23.7 billion in the plan comes from state tax collections and other Georgia revenue. The rest comes from federal sources.
