With the 2023 legislative session now in its final week, the state Senate appropriations panel has approved an amended version of the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. And many of the changes include cuts to some top state agencies.
The biggest changes were aimed at higher education, with the University System of Georgia facing more than $100 million in budget cuts. Republicans have cut more than $87 million from the USG’s teaching budget. They also rejected the university system’s request for an $18 million health insurance increase.
Additionally, Senate GOP leaders have slashed state funding for Georgia Public Broadcasting by roughly 25%. GPB is a statewide network of public television and radio stations.
Cuts like this to state agencies are not unusual, but the timing has left many people with questions. Republican leadership has spent the last year touting the state’s $6 billion budget surplus, so the state is not strapped for cash heading into next year.
There was no clear explanation given for the cuts to GPB, but it is believed that the cuts to universities are retaliatory after reports that USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue met with House lawmakers to lobby against SB 99. Perdue is worried that the bill could jeopardize a deal that would allow WellStar to take over Augusta University’s health system.
The cuts are also seen as part of a growing standoff between House Republicans and Senate Republicans. At issue is Senate Bill 99, a rewrite of state hospital regulations that would allow healthcare providers to build new facilities in counties with fewer than 50,000 residents without state approval.
In an interesting twist, the bill has the strong support of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. But legislative watchers have pointed out that SB 99 would pave the way for a new hospital in Jones’ home county of Butts — on property owned by the lieutenant governor’s father.
This standoff has upended the final days of the legislative session, with Senate lawmakers threatening to bottleneck the House’s latest mental health package. Jones’ office has made it clear to House Republicans that SB 99 is a priority.
As for the budget, House and Senate leaders are working tirelessly to hash out any differences before the end of the session. But a budget impasse would mean that lawmakers would have to extend their session or return to Atlanta for a special session later in the spring. Passing the annual budget is the legislature’s only duty under the Georgia constitution.
The final day of the legislative session, known as “Sine Die,” is set for Wednesday, March 29.