Kemp Signs 2020 Budget During South Georgia Swing

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Gov. Brian Kemp has signed the record-breaking $27.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2020, which begins July 1.

Gov. Brian Kemp has signed the record-breaking $27.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2020, which begins July 1.

This year's budget includes a 2% pay raise for state employees and a $3,000 raise for teachers and other certified school employees, and fully funds the state's education formula for the second year in a row. Kemp has called the raise a "down payment" on his campaign promise of $5,000 for teachers.

The governor signed the budget in Camilla as part of a tour through South Georgia, where he will have visited Cairo, Adel, Valdosta and Lake Park by the end of the weekend.

Also included in the budget is $150 million to replace the state's outdated touchscreen voting machines. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office is in the middle of the purchasing process to select a new vendor with hopes of the system being ready for November 2020 elections.