Kemp, Duncan, Ralston Issue Statements Following the Signing of FY2021 Budget

Atlanta, GA - Governor Brian P. Kemp, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, and Speaker David Ralston issued the following statements on the signing of the State of Georgia's Fiscal Year 2021 Budget:

Governor Brian Kemp:

"Six months ago, we began the 2020 Legislative Session with unemployment at record lows, strong job growth, and a thriving business climate. Little did we know, the unthinkable was right around the corner. As we sign the FY21 budget, it is a bittersweet moment for our state.

"This budget prioritizes education, healthcare, and public safety and funds the core services and vital missions of our state government. It also reflects the tough choices made by state leaders to adapt to these uncertain times, and I want to thank Speaker Ralston, Lieutenant Governor Duncan, Chairman Tillery, Chairman England, and Office of Planning and Budget Director Kelly Farr for their leadership and partnership to put people over politics and serve hardworking Georgians in every corner of our state. These are challenging times for our state and country, but I am confident that if we continue to work together, we can continue to protect the lives - and livelihoods - of all Georgians and ensure a safer, stronger, and healthier future for generations to come."

Find the Governor's full remarks here and the video archive of the budget signing ceremony here.

Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan:

“While the budget Gov. Kemp signed is not the one we intended, or hoped, to pass at the beginning of the legislative session, I am proud of the meticulous work of the General Assembly to produce a budget that provides us with flexibility in an uncertain economic environment. This budget, while lean, still provides funds for essential services like adoption services and extended coverage for postpartum care, as well as additional resources to strengthen our rural hospitals. This budget would not have been possible without the leadership of Appropriations Chairmen Blake Tillery and Terry England, and the countless hours invested by General Assembly staff. I am grateful for Gov. Kemp’s leadership throughout the budget process and I look forward to working together as Georgia continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.”

Speaker David Ralston:

“With no furlough days for state employees and strategic investments to curb maternal mortality, our FY 2021 state budget is a testament to our priorities. Working with Governor Kemp and Lt. Governor Duncan, we have arrived at a conservative, balanced state budget that takes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic into account and still protects the most vulnerable among us. I want to thank Chairman Terry England and Chairman Blake Tillery and their respective Appropriations Committee members for their good work to keep Georgia moving forward.”