By unanimous vote, the Georgia Senate passed its own version of the $20.2 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts in July, setting up a showdown with the House over money for pet projects.
"They're cutting trees somewhere in South Georgia because of all the projects the Senate has placed in" this budget, said House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram).The chambers have appointed a conference committee of three senators and three representatives to hammer out a compromise by the last day of session.
Here are just a few of the differences between the House and Senate versions:
The House voted to give schools $40 million to help make up for the cuts in statewide funding that began five years ago. The Senate would spend just half of that money.
The Senate would give money to the Medical College of Georgia to expand to Athens. The House would prefer that money be spent in the Augusta area.
The Senate slashed state aid for the Tour de Georgia to $100,000 from the $500,000 approved by the House
The Senate also cut funding to the Golf Hall of Fame in Augusta, near the home of House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin.
Meanwhile, the Senate approved $100,000 for Zoo Atlanta to renovate its animal hospital, and $2.5 million for the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.
The Senate would also give $350,000 in seed money for Atlanta court officials to build a center for child victims of prostitution and trafficking.
