Georgia Senate budget writers approved a $32.5 billion mid-year budget Tuesday that signals leaner times likely lie ahead in the coming fiscal year.
The mid-year spending plan, up 6.8% over the fiscal 2023 budget the General Assembly adopted last spring, includes Senate changes that would move some construction projects originally to be financed with bonds in fiscal 2024 into the current fiscal year and pay for them with cash.
With many economists expecting a recession to hit Georgia and the nation later this year, state tax collections could fall or at least not grow as much as they have in recent years.
The mid-year budget heads next to the Senate floor for a vote, probably later this week.