Deal signs state budget with schools, construction funding

ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal has signed a $40 billion state spending plan for the next year.

Deal signed the budget on Monday as he began a series of events around the state.

Georgia provides about $21.8 billion of the funding. The remainder comes from federal funding.

In a statement, Deal highlighted about $280 million to restore previous cuts to public schools, funding intended to help shore up rural hospitals and the creation of an academy to train workers for the film and television industry in Georgia.

The budget also shifts about $103 million in costs for some part-time school employees' health insurance to local districts.

Lawmakers included raises for the state's top judges and about $1 billion toward construction projects around the state.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.