Cagle: Proud of Senate's Passage of Balanced and Fiscally Prudent Budget

(Atlanta, Georgia) – Lt. Governor Casey Cagle released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of its version of HB 990, the 2009 budget beginning July 1, 2008.

“I am very proud of the senate for supporting a balanced and fiscally prudent budget that meets the needs of our state while respecting the economic conditions of our time.  In addition to providing a well-deserved pay increase for teachers and state employees in critical areas such as nursing and corrections, this budget ensures that the vital areas of our government, such as education and healthcare, get the funding necessary to continue providing the services our citizens expect. 

“I am proud of the hard work of appropriations chairman Jack Hill, all of our subcommittee chairs, the members of the appropriations committee and the staff of our budget office for helping to craft a budget that reflects the priorities that are most important to our state,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.  

Key features of the bill include restoring $56 million of austerity cuts to education and $83 million in construction money for schools.  It also provides $98 million to fully fund Peachcare, over $9 million to improve access to rural health across Georgia and $20 million for mental health hospitals.  The Senate’s version also includes $26 million for land conservation.