Georgia revenues rise at start of new fiscal year

ATLANTA - Georgia's revenue is on the rise as the state enters a new fiscal year.

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Friday that revenues for July totaled $1.14 billion, compared to $1.09 billion for July 2009, an increase of more than $51 million, or 4.7 percent.

July is the first month of fiscal year 2011. Personal income collections rose 3.6 percent, and monies raised from sales and use taxes were up 2.4 percent.

Month-to-month tax collections vary, but they can be viewed as an overall indicator of economic health. Increased personal income and sales tax collections suggest more people were working or making better money and spending more on goods in June than last year.