Georgia House Raises Budget for Hurricane Helene Relief

The Georgia state House has approved a budget amendment raising spending to $40.6 billion, reallocating funds from Governor Brian Kemp's proposals for prison construction to increase relief for Hurricane Helene. Passed with a 166-3 vote, the budget includes nearly $800 million for communities and industries affected by the hurricane, with allocations for low-interest loans to farmers, timber cleanup, and rural hospital grants. Cuts in other areas include scaling back new prison units and reducing funds for state building repairs. The budget maintains a $1 billion provision for tax rebates to individuals and couples, as promised by Kemp. The Senate will review the proposal, and final adjustments are anticipated through negotiations with Kemp and legislative leaders. The state plans to draw from increased revenues and its substantial surplus to accommodate these changes.