Georgia could have more than $5 billion in surplus revenue after the just-concluded budget year, following another big month for tax collections in June.

The state Revenue Department announced Friday that it collected more than $33 billion in taxes in the year ended June 30, up 23% from about $27 billion the year before.

Georgia planned to spend more than $54 billion in the just-ended budget year, including federal money, lottery proceeds, and other fees and taxes that state agencies collect. Lawmakers decided to spend part of the surplus – around $4.5 billion – during midyear budget revisions.  That includes raises for state employees and teachers.

Final numbers won’t be clear until the state closes it books on the budget year, which usually happens around Labor Day.

GNN/ Fox 5