With the roll-out of the state’s $25 billion FY 2018 budget last week, the Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee used their time to hear directly from a variety of state agency leaders about their programs and operating budget needs. It is worth noting that just 10 years ago, the FY 2008 budget was $19 billion, so the state budget has grown 31% In the last decade. GAC member and House Appropriations Chairman Terry England (Auburn), along with Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill (Reidsville) led these discussions but all lawmakers on the committee had a chance to ask questions and raise concerns about the performance of these state agencies. Similar discussions will continue in smaller settings over the next several weeks as the budget starts to move through the House and Senate.

Governor Deal provided the first presentation on Tuesday and focused on fiscal stability of the state and his desire to see state employees, teachers and law enforcement obtain pay raises. Such actions included in his budget proposal total $361 million. Governor Deal note that 83% of the budgeted dollars are tied to required government actions or mandates, including healthcare and education. The other 17% is where some flexibility and adjustments make an impact on state government activities.

Georgia's state fiscal economist, Dr. Ken Heaghney, provided lawmakers with an economic update that contained several positive notes. The 2016 actual revenue growth of 4.0% far outpaced the 3.2% estimate set a year ago. Georgia’s 2.3% growth in employment also outpaced the nation's 1.7% growth as we added 99,000 jobs during 2016. Inflation remains low at 1.7%, but that is likely to increase as the economic recovery continues. Dr. Heaghney characterized the state’s economic growth as “solid, but not spectacular” and that he expected the slow and steady progress to continue.