State healthcare officials told lawmakers Thursday they’re doing their best to keep ballooning medical costs down. But as they say Georgia’s aging population isn’t helping matters.

A veteran Georgia Public Broadcasting producer has handed in a letter of resignation following the hiring of former Republican state Sen. Chip Rogers. Ashlie Wilson Pendley, who has been employed with the network for 15 years, is quitting her job in protest after it was revealed that Rogers, of Woodstock, will be paid $150,000 annually — nearly three times her salary.

After cracking down on illegal immigrants, Georgia may eliminate a program meant to help farmers navigate the complicated process for getting visas for migrant laborers.

Gov. Nathan Deal has included $50 million in this year’s state budget for the Savannah harbor deepening project. Port officials told lawmakers Wednesday the port’s strong performance in 2012 reaffirms the need for the project. State officials want to deepen the port so it can accommodate larger ships coming through the Panama Canal.

Georgia judges said the state doesn't invest enough money to make its judicial system operate effectively and efficiently. During budget hearings, Justice Hugh Thompson of the Georgia Supreme Court said courts are struggling to keep up with their dockets. Thompson told lawmakers the state Supreme Court’s case load is up nearly 30 percent and the lower courts are also seeing more cases.