Lt. Governor Burt Jones Issues Statement in Support of Georgia’s FY26 Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 9, 2025

ATLANTA |Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones joined Governor Brian Kemp and legislative leaders at the bill signing ceremony for House Bill 68, the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Lt. Governor Jones issued the following statement in support of the budget being signed into law:

"This budget is a result of deliberate and effective work by Senate Appropriations Chairman Tillery, the subcommittee Chairs and all members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Governor Brian Kemp's recommendations at the beginning of session provided a great foundation for our work to begin and for us to ultimately pass a budget focused on Georgia's children, families and future, while reducing unnecessary or redundant government spending. In Georgia, we are continuing to keep government spending in check, while giving money back to taxpayers - where it belongs. I want to thank everyone for their hard work to ensure our state remains fiscally sound, our reserves remain healthy and our citizens get back their hard-earned money with a reduction in the state income tax. I look forward to continuing to prioritize a fiscally conservative philosophy as we look at budgets next session."

Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights:

• Fully restored funding for the Georgia Promise Scholarship at $141 million pursuant to Senate Bill 233.
• $12.5 million for out-of-school care for statewide and community grantees. This is a Lt. Governor Jones' priority from the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare recommendations.
• $14 million to reduce classroom size from 22 to 20 students to improve instructional quality.
• $3 million to add 150 new residency slots in primary care medicine.
• Fully funded wraparound services program for the Department of Children and Family Services.

For more information on House Bill 68, the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, please follow this link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/budget-and-evaluation-office