State budget compromise reached

ATLANTA - With the Georgia legislature entering its final day of this year's session Thursday, a compromise state budget was hashed out late Wednesday night by House and Senate negotiators.

The budget agreement was reached after nearly a week of negotiations on the $18 billion spending plan.

The accord must be approved by the full House and Senate Thursday.

Negotiations centered mainly over how deeply cuts could be made and which programs could be spared major reductions as the state continues to struggle with declining revenues.

House Speaker David Ralston told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution "We didn't have substantial differences between the House and the Senate. That's a product of the economic climate we are in."

Still waiting to be resolved bills dealing with such things as abortion, guns and teacher performance pay.

Lawmakers must conclude their business by midnight Thursday. The 40-day session is now in its fourth month.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/4/229013