Overview
- Gov. Brian Kemp signed the FY2027 budget Tuesday, locking in $36.6 billion in spending and a freeze on roughly $300 million in planned new items after recent tax cuts reduced projected revenue by nearly $1 billion.
- The budget keeps core services intact by fully funding K‑12 classrooms, the 9‑8‑8 suicide and crisis lifeline, and growth in the HOPE scholarship program.
- New allocations include $325 million for the Dream scholarship that offers up to $3,000 for eligible students, $70 million for literacy coaches in elementary schools, $15 million for basic education, and $4 million for student mental health services.
- Kemp vetoed or reduced select proposals, approving $2 million of more than $11 million sought for disability services, trimming new medical residency slots to 105 from 124, cutting a Pre‑K leave request, and removing $600,000 for foster children’s supplies.
- Agencies will start the year under the withholdings as the governor’s team tracks revenue, with more than $12 billion in reserves available if needed and a possible midyear budget adjustment on the table.