Lawmakers Day 38: Senate passes plan for major budget cuts to higher education

The Georgia Senate Appropriations committee approved a spending plan this week that would cut more than $100 million from the state’s higher education budget.

The committee's substitute version of the fiscal year 2024 budget would cut $87 million from the state’s college and university teaching budget, rejects an $18 million health insurance increase requested by the university system and cuts 26% of state funding for Georgia Public Broadcasting.

The Senate passed its plan Thursday in a 51-to1 vote, but House Bill 19 was rejected by the House.

With only two days left in the session, their differences must be settled in a conference committee. However, the House was not free from debate due to Senate Bill 1, repealing the COVID-19 vaccination proof for government services requirement.