FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 28, 2025

ATLANTA |Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement in support of the Senate substitute to House Bill 68, the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. The legislation is being carried by Senator Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia) and is now back to the House for consideration. 

“I want to thank Chairman Tillery, the subcommittee Chairs, and all members of the Senate Appropriations Committee for their hard work on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “The Senate budget reflects a fiscally conservative philosophy with reductions in unnecessary or redundant government spending. President Trump’s Administration is leading the way on this at the federal level, and I am happy to see the Senate take this approach for Georgia. We are an example to the nation on how to budget effectively and efficiently, while keeping government spending in check and giving money back to taxpayers. I want to thank Governor Brian Kemp for his leadership in ensuring that our state remains fiscally sound. I look forward to the House’s consideration of the Senate proposal.” 

Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights:

Fully restored funding for the Georgia Promise Scholarship at $141M pursuant to Senate Bill 233. 

Increase funding for out-of-school care for statewide and community grantees from $10M to $12.5M. This is a Lt. Governor Jones’ priority from the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare recommendations. 

$1M for 6 perinatal regional centers for clinical care for high-risk infants and training residents in complex care.

Fully funded wraparound services program for the Department of Children and Family Services.

For more information on the FY26 Budget, please follow this link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/budget-and-evaluation-office

Contact

Policy and Communications Director Ines Owens

[email protected]