Gov. Deal releases budget plan

ATLANTA - A revised budget from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal would allow the state to spend about $255 million more than originally planned.

The Republican governor released his spending plans Wednesday for the current fiscal year ending in June and the following year. Lawmakers must approve those plans before they become law.

Deal's amended budget for this year would authorize nearly $18.6 billion in state spending, up from the roughly $18.3 billion in the approved budget.

Deal said his budget proposals will streamline government functions while spending on initiatives that he says will grow the economy.

His budget would increase spending to accommodate growth in the state's K-12 and higher education systems. He's also recommending money for charter schools at risk of losing half their state funding following a recent court ruling.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)