Senate budget writers have given their stamp-of-approval to the $18.6 billion spending plan for Georgia’s 2010 fiscal year ahead. The budget includes a boost of $140-million for Medicaid to help the program keep up with enrollment. To help cover the cost, state employees will be asked to pay a bigger share of their health insurance costs. The spending plan also includes $1.3 billion in federal stimulus funds to help soften the blow of cuts. The budget now moves to the full Senate Wednesday for a vote.
