Senate adopts FY2027 budget with investments in health, education and retiree COLAs

The Georgia Senate on March 27 passed the FY2027 appropriations substitute (House Bill 9‑74) after a detailed presentation by the Senate Appropriations chairman. The substitute lays out spending across executive, judicial and education programs and was adopted by unanimous or near‑unanimous recorded votes on the floor.

Sen. (Appropriations Chair) summarized the Senate plan as roughly $3.04 trillion in the presentation to the chamber and highlighted targeted investments: $20 million (first tranche) to clear a portion of a waiting list for NOW waivers in developmental services, funding for a new mental‑health hospital and $70 million for statewide literacy coaches to place a coach in every K–3 classroom (roughly 1,313 coaches). The proposal also restores portions of the HOPE/Promise scholarship funding and includes a $100 million base contribution to trigger continued cost‑of‑living adjustments for state retirees.

The chair explained adjustments across agencies: increases for dental Medicaid codes, support for Morehouse and Mercer GME programs, funding for agricultural research, and targeted infrastructure projects including a study of Lake Lanier water concerns. He said the budget was designed to prioritize long‑term outcomes and accountability and noted several “true ups” and technical adjustments in the substitute.

Several senators asked technical questions about the formula changes for online instruction funding at the University System of Georgia and the methodology behind waivers and provider limitations. The chair acknowledged implementation caveats — notably provider availability for some behavioral‑health waivers — and said the funding was intended to remove financing as a barrier while provider constraints were addressed.

The committee substitute was agreed to and the budget passed in the Senate; the measure moves through remaining legislative steps and any House concurrence/conference process as required to yield final appropriations.

What happens next: The Senate substitute will be reconciled with the House position as the bills proceed. Several large line items (mental‑health hospital, waivers, literacy) will require administrative plans and vendor/provider execution in the coming months.

Sources: Appropriations presentation and floor debate recorded in the March 27 Senate session.