Georgia’s $37.7 Billion 2026 Budget: Healthcare, Education, and Political Firestorms

Georgia’s House of Representatives greenlit a $37.7 billion 2026 budget, boosting healthcare, schools, and transportation with a 4.4% increase over 2025, driven by a 23% spending surge over three years. Republican-led, the state leverages a post-COVID economic boom, federal funds, and inflation-fueled sales tax revenue—hitting 8% in some counties—amassing $16.5 billion in state reserves while cutting taxes. SB144 sparks a showdown between South Georgia farmers and moms over pesticide lawsuits, potentially shaping 2026 elections as maternal health concerns rise. Meanwhile, SB154 preempts a possible Department of Education closure, adding “or its successor” to state laws. Tune in to unpack how these billion-dollar moves and legislative battles could redefine Georgia’s future.
Georgia is making billion dollar decisions about health care, schools and transportation. The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a $37.7 billion dollar 2026 budget. Your counties, cities, states should be flushed with cash because of inflation. Now in GA we have republican leadership and the budget is up by $1.6B that is 4.4% over the original 2025 budget. Proposed spending is up 23% over the last 3 years. Most of the spending has been fueled by a post-COVID economic boom (printed money that bolstered the states enormously while the families suffered and they want to pat you on the head and send you $500), big increases in federal spending and inflation which raised sales tax revenue along with the cost of goods and services. Which has allowed the state to cut tax and increase spending. And somehow accumulated $16.5B in budget reserves. Now some counties are up to 8% sales tax, that is a boom for the tax man.
The pesticide fights with roundup. This is pretty much south GA farmers vs moms, SB144. This is a protection bill for companies from lawsuits as long as the label includes the seal from the EPA. The bill is detailed. This could lead the way for mothers to be one of the largest political issues in the 2026 campaign. MAHA pushed RFK Jr into HHS. There are mothers that are concerned with food, health, and vaccines for their children. It was a big deal for the 2024 election. It could be a big deal for 2026.
GA wants to get ahead of possible Department of Education closers. The GA House advanced legislation by republican state Senator Bo Hatchett SB154. It is a Christmas Tree ornament bill. It has moved over to the house. Everywhere in the bill into law where it says federal agency in Georgia the bill adds “or its successor.” You want to pay attention to this bill. The AJC will write the upside to everything for the benefit of the democrat side of the republican party.