ATLANTA (AP) — Forecasting a major blow to the state’s economy and revenue collections due to the coronavirus pandemic, Georgia lawmakers in charge of the state budget sent a memo on Friday asking agencies to prepare for cuts of 14% across the board, totaling nearly $4 billion.
The call for reductions comes as some retail stores and malls in Georgia began to reopen on the first day after Gov. Brian Kemp lifted a statewide stay-at-home order, part of one of the most aggressive pushes of any state in the nation to reopen. Businesses like restaurants, tattoo parlors and movie theaters were already able to allow customers back in with restrictions.
Total confirmed infections in Georgia surpassed 27,000 on Friday, according to the latest data from the state’s Department of Public Health. The state has counted at least 1,140 deaths caused by the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that 14 Georgia meat processing plants had reported virus outbreaks through Monday.
The memo was sent by state House Appropriations Chair Terry England, Senate House Appropriations Chair Blake Tillery and Kelly Farr, director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. It made clear that no areas would be spared, including funding for education and public health.
“While the Great Recession of 2008 was considered then to be a ‘once in a lifetime’ event, our current situation will certainly overshadow it,” the memo says. “That is why this request is being made to ALL areas of the state budget with no exceptions.”