Democrats, Republicans exchange budget barbs

ATLANTA - Democrats in the Georgia House are accusing Republican Governor Perdue of risking the health and safety of senior citizens through cuts he&#39;s proposed to state spending. <br> <br> In turn, the Senate Republicans are blaming Democrats for the state&#39;s fiscal problems. <br> <br> Perdue has proposed a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to offset an expected $620 million shortfall in tax collections. <br> <br> House Democrats released a statement today saying nursing homes in particular would be hurt by the cutbacks. <br> <br> Minutes later, Senate Republican Leader Tom Price of Roswell said the budgets that Democrats pushed through the Legislature during the past four years were ``the most fiscally irresponsible budgets in Georgia&#39;s history.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> He said budgets proposed by former Governor Roy Barnes increased state debt by $1.7 billion over the past four years. <br> <br> Price added that Republicans hope the cuts will be temporary and can be offset in the future with money found from improved efficiency. <br> <br> The Legislature has been in recess for most of the week to allow House and Senate budget committees to meet. The budget is expected to be up for approval by the House next Thursday.