Governor Sonny Perdue today signed HB 990, which authorizes Georgia's $21.1 billion Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) Budget. The FY09 budget year begins July 1, 2008 and includes $7.5 million to expand the graduation coach program in Georgia's middle and high schools. An additional $6.4 million in lottery funds are provided to expand Georgia's pre-K program to a total number of 79,000 slots. The budget also includes $80 million for local governments to develop and build water reservoirs and other water infrastructure improvements. $48.1 million is appropriated for the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank for local transportation projects including road, rail and commuter transit projects. Georgia's teachers and state employees will also receive 2.5 percent pay raises during FY09. Also, full-time teachers and media specialists will again receive $100 gift cards to be used on school supplies during Georgia's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday.
