Governor Brian Kemp has signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The $36.1 billion measure goes into effect on July 1st. The budget includes pay raises for public school teachers, state employees, law enforcement officers, and child welfare workers.
“The yearly budget is the biggest demonstration of our priorities and the biggest tool we have to serve the people of our state,” Kemp said.
“This budget in particular will help us further promote economic prosperity in communities all across the state, provide Georgia students a quality education, care for the health and well-being of our families, and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Spending for FY 2025 is more than 11 percent higher than the FY 2024 budget, however the measure is likely to maintain the state’s $11 billion surplus.
“As we make record investments in the services our state needs, we have returned over 5 billion dollars to Georgia taxpayers - all while speeding up cuts to the state income tax,” according to Kemp.
“When others, including Washington, D.C. politicians, want to spend like there is no tomorrow, here in Georgia, we continue to balance the budget and put our money where it will have the greatest impact while working together to ensure we are good stewards of the people’s money.”
In addition to public safety, the budget also makes significant investments in K-12 education, higher education, health care, and transportation.
Kemp is also committing funds for mental health support, by expanding on the Mental Health Parity Act. The 2022 measure broadened mental health services in the state.
"Now, we’re building on that legacy by committing more funds to mental health than ever before," Kemp stated.
"That includes 16.5 million dollars for behavioral health crisis centers statewide; 1 million dollars for child advocacy centers to expand mental health services and forensic interviewing for children who have suffered abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking; And 1 million dollars to expand the Veterans Mental Health Services Program."
The Governor is also allocating $1.5 million to establish the David Ralston Center for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Georgia.
