Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has instructed state agencies to begin planning for leaner budgets as the state prepares for the potential fallout from federal spending reductions.
According to new guidance from the governor’s budget office, agencies must draft amended fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 budgets without requesting any spending increases—except for enrollment-driven programs such as education and health care.
The directive also makes it clear that if agencies experience a loss in federal funding, they are expected to absorb the shortfall within their own budgets rather than turn to the state for additional support.
