ATLANTA —
Gov. Sonny Perdue has signed a $17.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Budget woes plagued this year's legislative session and lawmakers were forced to hack some $300 million from the original spending plan.
On Tuesday, Perdue issued five line item vetoes which he said will save the state some $1.1 million in debt service.
The almost $12 million in bonding he struck from the budget would have paid for school and college construction.
The Republican governor - who is completing his final year in office - said that although the budget contains spending cuts the state has maintained its Triple A bond rating and has continued to fund top priorities.
