Governor Signs Balanced Amended FY 2010 Budget

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today signed House Bill 947, the Amended Fiscal Year 2010 budget, delivering a functionally balanced budget that continues to invest in Georgia’s future.

“We have managed through the worst economic downturn of our generation and protected the core mission of state government,” said Governor Perdue.  “While we’ve made difficult decisions to balance the budget, we have remained focused on education, public safety and creating jobs.”

The Amended 2010 budget totals $17.1 billion, a $1.5 billion reduction from the original FY 2010 budget.

The Governor did not exercise his line-item veto authority, choosing to sign the budget as it was passed by the House and Senate.

“The leadership of the House and Senate worked very closely with our office to craft an amended budget we could all support,” Governor Perdue added. “I especially appreciate the efforts of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Speaker David Ralston and appropriations committee chairmen Sen. Jack Hill and Rep. Ben Harbin.”

The budget the Governor signed today includes additional funding of $20 million for the state’s mental health system to stabilize staffing levels in state hospitals and improve care for patients.

The Amended FY 2010 budget also includes $27 million to provide disaster assistance funding for storm damage and floods in south Georgia this spring and for September flooding in the Metro Atlanta area.

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