Georgia Lawmakers Approve $38.5B Budget on Final Legislative Day

The budget includes funding for literacy coaches, student mental health, and retirement programs.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:22pm

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A photorealistic painting of the Georgia State Capitol building in warm, golden sunlight, with deep shadows across the facade, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and civic duty.The Georgia State Capitol stands as a symbol of the state government's efforts to address education, healthcare, and employee benefits through the annual budget process.Atlanta Today

In the final hours of their legislative session, Georgia lawmakers passed a $38.5 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year. The budget includes over $70 million to place a literacy coach in every K-3 elementary school, nearly $15 billion for basic education, and $4 million for student mental health support services. Lawmakers also allocated $100 million for state employee retirement funding and over $70 million for Medicaid waiver programs.

Why it matters

The passage of the state budget is the only constitutionally mandated duty for Georgia's legislature each year. This year's budget reflects legislative priorities around education, healthcare, and state employee benefits as the state continues to grapple with challenges like low student literacy rates and rising healthcare costs.

The details

The $38.5 billion budget was passed by the Georgia House around 11:40 pm on the final day of the legislative session. Key allocations include over $70 million for elementary school literacy coaches, nearly $15 billion for basic K-12 education funding, and $4 million for student mental health services. The budget also sets aside $100 million for state employee retirement funding and over $70 million for Medicaid waiver programs that provide in-home and community-based services.

  • The Georgia House passed the 2027 budget around 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The budget was passed on Sine Die, the final day of the 2025-2026 legislative session.

The players

Brian Kemp

The Governor of Georgia, who delivered an address to the legislature on the final day of the session.

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What they’re saying

“I hope you'll continue to put hardworking Georgians first. Because as I've said to this body before, while recalling the words of Nehemiah, 'We must finish the great work that we have started.'”

— Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia

The takeaway

The passage of Georgia's $38.5 billion state budget on the final day of the legislative session reflects the legislature's priorities around education, healthcare, and state employee benefits as the state continues to address challenges like low student literacy rates and rising healthcare costs.