Gov. Kemp's budget proposal includes funds for UGA medical school, public safety upgrades

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal for the state’s 2025 budget could mean big news for Athens. The proposed budget includes hefty investments in education, as well as in public safety and public health institutions in the area.

The budget proposal, which was released last week following the governor’s State of the State address, will now be sent to the state Legislature for approval. According to the Georgia Constitution, passing the state budget is the only thing the general assembly is required to accomplish during the legislative session.

Kemp’s proposals for this year include sweeping one-time salary raises for teachers and other state employees, allocations to community and behavioral health programs, and a wide variety of funds for law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

State of the State: Kemp emphasizes education, public safety, tax cuts in 2024 address

“Instead of expanding the size and scope of government, we’re putting state dollars to work in targeted, efficient ways to recruit, retain, and thank employees in vital roles from corrections officers to case workers,” Kemp said in his State of the State address. “By doing so, we’re continuing our efforts to wisely use every penny taxpayers send us, from state agency personnel, to our schools, public safety, and the healthcare marketplace."

The proposal spans more than 400 pages and includes a few items that will directly benefit Athens. Here's a closer look at what Kemp's budget includes:

More: UGA, Augusta University presidents support new UGA medical school

Education

Residents of the Classic City can expect to see it become even bigger in the next few years. Kemp’s proposal includes a $50 million grant in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget to create a new medical school on UGA’s campus in response to the state’s growing medical needs. The current medical school in Athens is run through a partnership with the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.

The Science Hill Modernization Project, which seeks to upgrade campus lab facilities, will also receive additional funding in the upcoming year. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal includes $4.7 million to fund equipment costs for Phase II of the project, and $2.3 million to cover the cost of design for Phase III. It also allocates $8.5 million for infrastructure upgrades.

In nearby Monroe, Athens Technical College can expect to receive over $9.8 million to renovate its Walton County Campus.

Science Hill Modernization Project: Georgia lawmakers approve $49M to renovate laboratory space

Public Safety

Oconee County’s Department of Public Safety can expect to see some upgrades in 2024. The amended budget proposal includes a $115,000 grant for furniture, fixtures and equipment to create a new post in the area. The 2025 proposal includes an additional $485,000 to complete the project.

Public Health

Like many other state agencies, the Athens and Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic Labs will give employees a one-time cost-of-living adjustment this year, with an expected median salary increase of 4%. Kemp’s proposal for the laboratory, which monitors the health and safety of animals in Georgia’s food supply, totals $113,000. In addition to the cost-of-living adjustment, it also increases funds for the Teachers Retirement System and health insurance benefits for contract employees.

The proposal will now go to the state House of Representatives, who will use its recommendations to draft their appropriations bill. Once the bill passes in the House, it will go to the state Senate, who will modify it and send it back to the House for approval. After the revised bill passes in the House, it will go to the governor’s desk, and must be signed into law within 40 days.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia State Budget: What Gov. Kemp has in store for Athens in 2024