With broad bipartisan support, the Georgia House of Representatives passed a $32.5 billion fiscal 2024 state budget. The vote was 167-1 and will now move to the Georgia Senate. The budget increases state spending by $2.2 billion over the 2023 Fiscal Year Budget. State Rep. Eddie Lumsden says that the House version of the budget has over $51 million in additional funds for mental health programs in the Peach State. Also, law enforcement and teachers will be seeing a $2,000 yearly raise. Also, the House version of the budget would increase HOPE coverage of student tuition from the current 90% to 95% and redirect the remaining 5% to the Zell Miller Scholarship program, the component of HOPE that goes to students with high school grade-point averages of at least 3.5, and to health benefits for public pre-kindergarten teachers.
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