Lt. Governor Jones Issues Statement in Support of AFY26 Senate Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 20, 2026

ATLANTA |Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement in support of the Senate substitute to House Bill 973, the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. The legislation is being carried by Senator Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia) and passed the Senate floor with a vote of 49-1.

“I want to thank Chairman Blake Tillery, the subcommittee Chairs, and all members of the Senate Appropriations Committee for their hard work on the amended budget,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “The AFY26 Budget includes critical investments in middle class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation, and Georgia’s Veterans community. I look forward to the House’s consideration of the Senate proposal and our work ahead on the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.”

“This budget responds to our citizens,” said Senator Blake Tillery. “We heard and answered calls from Georgians concerning traffic congestion. We heard and answered calls from state retirees related to cost-of-living increases. We heard and answered calls from our law enforcement communities who have been overrun with issues related to mental health. And we answered calls from middle class Georgians concerned with affordability by supporting efforts to return over $2 billion in tax dollars to hard working families.”

Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights:

The Senate version of the budget supports middle class families by providing for both the Governor’s income tax rebate and the House homeowner’s property tax relief grant. 

The Senate doubled the House’s proposed contribution to Employees' Retirement System of Georgia by $50M, bringing the total to $100M.  

The Senate championed the support of mental health services and law enforcement by appropriating $409M for the construction of a mental health services hospital. 

Supports Needs Based Scholarship with an appropriation of $100M to the University System of Georgia. 

Provides $10M for homelessness grants and $15M directed at eliminating homelessness in Georgia’s Veteran communities.

Furthering the Lt. Governor’s commitment to veterans, the Senate appropriates $500,000to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Hinesville, GA. 

Places over $20M in new graduate medical education programs, specifically in Savannah, Brunswick, Augusta, and Thomasville.

Furthering the Lt. Governor’s commitment to childcare, the Senate adds $2.5Mto the BOOST program, which provides after school care for children across the state.

For more information on the AFY26 Budget, please follow this link: 

https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/budget-and-evaluation-office