Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposed budget of nearly $1.05 billion for the state’s lottery-funded programs adds money for needed enhancements to the Pre-Kindergarten program and financial aid for technical college students but falls short of meeting many families’ needs. The nearly $358 million allotted for Pre-K provides money to raise teachers’ salaries, and the $689 million directed to the HOPE financial aid programs includes an expansion of the Strategic Industries Workforce Development grant. Yet challenges to the quality and availability of the Pre-K program remain and covering college costs is a struggle for many students.
GBPI Responds to Gov. Kemp’s Budget Instructions to Keep State Spending Flat
Daniel Kanso, PhD
July 30, 2026
Over the past eight years (Fiscal Year 2020 to Fiscal Year 2027), Georgia’s per-person state
