Lt. Governor Burt Jones Issues Statement in Support of AFY26 Budget Being Signed into Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

ATLANTA |Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement in support of Governor Brian Kemp signing House Bill 973, the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, into law.

"I want to thank Governor Kemp for his leadership and steadfast commitment to ensuring Georgia remains fiscally sound," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "Because of his leadership, along with the work of Chairman Blake Tillery, the subcommittee Chairs, and all members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, this budget includes critical investments in middle class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation, and Georgia's Veterans community. This budget furthers our commitment to putting more than $2 billion in tax dollars back in Georgians' pockets and investing in our education system, namely by increasing resources and pay for our school personnel. Our support for our law enforcement heroes remains unwavering and support for mental health services historic. I want to thank everyone for their work to ensure that Georgia remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family."

Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights:

• The Senate version of the budget supported middle class families by providing for both the Governor's income tax rebate and the House homeowner's property tax relief grant, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
• The Senate doubled the House's proposed contribution to Employees' Retirement System of Georgia by $50M, bringing the total to $100M in the final version of the budget.
• The Senate championed the support of mental health services and law enforcement by appropriating $409M for the construction of a 300-bed mental health services hospital, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
• $325M was appropriated for the Needs Based Scholarship Program - DREAMS - under the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
• The amended budget provided $45M for homelessness grants and $5M directed at eliminating homelessness in Georgia's Veterans community.
• Furthering the Lt. Governor's commitment to veterans, the Senate appropriated $500,000 to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Hinesville, GA, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
• The amended budget provided over $17M for new graduate medical education programs, specifically in Savannah, Brunswick, Augusta and Thomasville.
• Furthering the Lt. Governor's commitment to childcare, the Senate added $2.5M to the BOOST program, which provides after school care for children across the state, and the House agreed to this appropriation.

For more information on the AFY26 Budget, please follow this link:

https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/budget-and-evaluation-office