ATLANTA (AP) - Gov. Nathan Deal has proposed a $47.5 billion budget for state government narrowing a spending gap for public education and targeting salary increases for state employees at high turnover positions in public safety and health care.
The Republican governor released his spending plan Thursday for the financial year starting in July. Lawmakers will start reviewing it next week.
Deal's plan would spend $23.7 billion from state tax collections and other Georgia sources. The rest comes from federal sources.
His administration predicts tax revenue will grow as the state's population and economy do.
Deal also included $300 million intended to help school districts end furloughs and lengthen school years after cuts during the recession. Administration officials say the money also covers a 3 percent salary increase for teachers.
