GOVERNOR PERDUE RELEASED HER $20.9 BILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL TODAY. HER PLAN IS AIMED AT INCREASING FUNDS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION FROM PRE-K TO COLLEGE STUDENTS.

PERDUE BELIEVES HER PROPOSAL TO RESTART THE EXPIRED 3/4-CENT SALES TAX WOULD RESTORE CUTS MADE TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE. THE GOVERNOR SAID, "I HAVE ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES OF THIS STATE, AND I WILL ALWAYS STAND UP FOR THEM."  PERDUE'S STAFF SAYS HER BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES $785 MILLION IN NEW DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION, A MORE THAN 7 PERCENT INCREASE FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUDGET THAN THE CURRENT BUDGET REQUIRES FOR NEXT YEAR.