The $18.5 billion dollar supplemental budget that covers the state through the end of June has cleared yet another hurdle.

But the version the Senate approved Thursday spends more money and makes slight changes to some of the original allocations. The spending plan is some $200 million more than the original proposal.

One example of changes made by the Senate is reinstating $200,000 in cuts for the Regional Economic Business Assistance Program or REBA. Senator Jack Hill (R-Reidsville) chairs the Senate appropriation committee. He says REBA funds are necessary to attract significant economic development projects to the state.

"These are deal makers funds to provide that last mile of access road or that railroad spur or whatever we need to cut the deal and bring jobs to Georgia."

The budget will now head to a conference committee where members will work to agree on the changes before sending it to the Governor for his signature.

Tags: lawmakers, gold dome, Senator Jack Hill, sasha horne, 2012 budget, georiga senate, REBA, Regional Economic Business Assistance