House passes amended state budget that includes more hurricane relief
Hurricane-ravaged parts of Georgia could soon get some financial relief.
The Georgia House passed an amended budget on Thursday which includes billions of dollars on everything from storm relief, prisons and even the Super Bowl in 2028.
This budget helps get the state through the rest of the fiscal year.
If the Senate approves it, it will mean hundreds of millions of dollars for hurricane-damaged parts of this state.
Months after Hurricane Helene cut an ugly swath through Georgia from Valdosta to Augusta, the Georgia House voted to send close to $800 million to families, businesses and entire industries to help out.
'The news, the television didn't do it justice,' said state Rep. Karlton Howard, who represents central Augusta which took the full brunt of Helene.
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He appreciates how Republicans and Democrats set aside their issues and came together to get this relief package done.
'This is about people, and people hurting and anything that the governor has done, we appreciate it. All that we can do to co-sign off on that. We'll be doing that,' Howard said.
Mark Newton represents Augusta as well and told Channel 2's Richard Elliot that it was important for lawmakers to get help to homeowners, businesses and hospitals.
'We think it's worthy of us, slight cuts in some other areas so that we can prioritize taking care of this largest storm I know in Georgia Power history,' Newton said.
Elliot also spoke with House Speaker Jon Burns after the vote.
'It's going to give us an opportunity to rebuild and make ourselves whole again,' Burns said.
He said the House added nearly $200 million more for hurricane relief because lawmakers felt more needed to be done.
'The house actually has over $800 million that we're trying to put in place for landowners, timber owners, agriculture interests, our hospitals who stood up and fed communities,' Burns said.
Getting this done was a top priority for the speaker and House lawmakers. It will now head over to the Senate where it's expected to get a lot of support.
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