Deal announces date for State of State address

ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the State address on Jan. 17.

Deal's office announced that legislative leaders issued a formal invitation Wednesday for the governor to address lawmakers in a joint session that will convene at 11 a.m.

The General Assembly opens its annual session Jan. 14.

The governor typically releases his budget proposal the same day that he addresses the House and Senate. Georgia law also gives the governor the authority to set the official revenue projections the assembly must use to write the budget.

Though Deal has not issued estimates for fiscal year 2014, revenues could be $700 million or more below what would be necessary to continue the 2013 spending plan for state government.