Gov. Deal Flies Into Hall County to Sign 2017 Budget
Gov. Nathan Deal flew into Hall County by helicopter this Monday morning to sign the $23.7 billion state budget for the 2017 fiscal year, which begins July 1, landing at the site where Lanier Technical College will relocate in the coming years.
“It only takes one signature,” Deal joked, before adding that he wished to emphasize what the budget does specifically for Hall.
The big-ticket local item in the budget is $48.3 million in bonds earmarked for construction of the new Lanier Tech campus on Howard Road off Ga. 365 north. Lanier Tech President Ray Perren said the campus is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.
But that’s only about half the funding needed to complete the project.
State Rep. Emory Dunahoo, R-Gainesville, said he is confident lawmakers will pony up more money next year.