House stands by its budget in spite of Senate

House and Senate GOP leaders show no signs of compromise in the weeklong standoff over the midyear budget, which dictates state spending through June. The Senate says the House’s midyear budget spends millions on nonessential projects, such as the "Go Fish" tourism program. Senate leaders say those items are better left to next year’s budget. In response, House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) says the upper chamber is standing on politics; not principle.

“It’s not about providing more efficient services. It’s not even about keeping campaign promises. It’s about politics, ambition and leverage,” says Harbin. House members voted to send their budget bill—as is—to the Senate with a note saying “urgent attention required.”

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle says the Senate will release its own budget instead. “The Senate will have our version of the budget publicly available in less than 24 hours,” Cagle says in a written statement. “I look forward to working closely and cooperatively with the House to resolve our different positions on state spending.”

Money for the Peachcare child health program, public defense, and tornado-stricken areas is at stake.