GERALD GREENE: House’s FY ’25 budget places priority on education

The House got back to work on Monday for another productive week under the Gold Dome. In the ninth week, our attention shifted to reviewing and voting on Senate Bills following “Crossover Day” last week. As we move forward in the final days of the session, our work is more crucial than ever as we perfect legislation and ensure that the legislation we send to the governor reflects the best interests of our citizens.

This week, the House passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, House Bill 916, fulfilling our one constitutional obligation for the session. The FY 2025 budget will go into effect on July 1 of this year and is set at a revenue estimate of $36.1 billion, representing a historic increase of $3.6 billion, or 11.3%, over the previous fiscal year’s budget.

The House’s FY ’25 budget exhibits a substantial investment in Georgia’s education sector, prioritizing various initiatives that are crucial for the advancement of K-12 education. In particular, HB 916 fully funds the Quality Basic Education program by allocating a record $14.1 billion in state funds. This budget also includes provisions to enhance teacher salaries, with $373.6 million to increase the state base salary schedule by $2,500.

Additionally, funding is reserved for salary raises for school nutrition workers, bus drivers, school nurses and Regional Education Services Agencies staff, as well as $8.5 million for a $1,000 salary supplement for school custodians. The school nutrition program receives an additional $6.3 million to cover the cost of breakfast and lunch for reduced-pay students, and $2 million is included in school nutrition formula funds for local school systems to keep the price of meals affordable.

The House’s version of the budget also seeks to improve literacy rates in our state with $6.3 million appropriated for reading instruction grants to fund literacy coaches at each RESA, as well as pay supplements for literacy support coordinators and leads at school districts across Georgia. The House also prioritizes school safety in its budget, with $104 million allotted for the new School Security Grants program under the Department of Education. This new program will provide a $45,000 grant to each school for school safety and security initiatives, and those funds could be used for infrastructure expenses, operating expenses or salaries for school resource officers.

Another significant investment includes $204 million in additional funding for student transportation, which also includes additional funds for transportation operations to reflect the increased cost of fuel, oil and other operating expenses, bringing the total funding for student transportation to $358.5 million in FY 2025. The House’s version of the budget also reserves $9.5 million in lottery funds for the reduction of Pre-Kindergarten class sizes from 22 to 20 students.

The House’s version of the budget dedicates $1.5 million for the establishment of the David Ralston Center for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Georgia, a crucial step in addressing work force needs and gaps in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By establishing this center in honor of the former Speaker of the House, the state will boost the pipeline of professionals working in behavioral health across our state and serving more citizens.

HB 916 also incorporates an additional $15 million for the state’s dual enrollment program, reflecting its growth and importance in providing high school students with access to college-level coursework.

We also made important investments in our health care infrastructure to improve health outcomes and address public health needs throughout the state. As such, HB 916 directs $2 million toward rural hospital stabilization grants to support health care access in rural communities. The House also provides $500,000 for infant mortality research at the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Center for Maternal Health Equity and $978,639 for expanded newborn screenings.

In addition, this budget delivers funding for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder with $1 million for supplemental illness-specific insurance. Lastly, HB 916 includes increased funding for multiple providers serving Medicaid patients. This includes $7.5 million for speech therapists, audiologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists; $8.4 million for primary care physicians and obstetricians; $392,173 for optometrists; $648,829 for independent pharmacists; and $1.3 million for physical therapy assistants and occupational assistants.

Our budget also includes important funding for new services to be available to the state’s Medicaid population to include $9.6 million for dental services; $3.4 million for transportation reimbursement to emergency medical services; and $301,941 for acute kidney injuries to be treated in a dialysis setting.

To address housing challenges, Georgia’s economic development sector also receives funding in the House’s budget. Within the Department of Community Affairs, the House’s version of the FY 2025 budget earmarks $1 million for the accountable housing initiative, aimed at providing stable and immediate housing solutions for homeless individuals while promoting long-term affordability. 

The House’s budget encompasses $3.2 million in funding for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to establish the Macon Crisis Stabilization Diagnostic Center, which will serve as a pivotal resource as the state’s first crisis support center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Public safety initiatives receive considerable funding within HB 916, specifically, toward empowering law enforcement and backing programs aimed at preventing crime and aiding victims. Notably, the bill designates $50 million for a $3,000 salary increase for law enforcement officers across 21 state agencies. The House’s FY 2025 budget also includes a $10 million allocation to the Georgia Department of Corrections for establishing 400 transitional center beds at the Metro Re-entry Center, providing crucial resources for inmates reintegrating into society post-release.

Additionally, the House directs $14.7 million to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to support 48 domestic violence shelters, as well as $2 million for 28 sexual assault centers, covering administrative and facility costs to ensure compliance with state standards. 

Other noteworthy investments in the House’s FY 2025 budget include $260 million to provide a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for state employees; $2.5 million for third-party ballot-text auditing technology to enhance election verification processes and promote transparency; $2.4 billion to support various projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the state’s transportation system.

The House’s FY 2025 budget is now on its way to the Senate, where it is expected to undergo additional revisions before receiving final passage.

As we near the final day of the legislative session, I encourage all to connect with me regarding issues that are significant to you and your family that we may be considering this session. With only three weeks remaining in the 2024 legislative session, we are committed to working in conjunction with our Senate colleagues to advance legislation that positively impacts our constituents and all Georgians.

Feel free to reach out to me with any inquiries or concerns you may have. You can reach my Capitol office at (404) 656-9210 and via email at [email protected]. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

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