Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp appears ready to loosen the purse strings a little after having built a budget surplus that could top $10 billion. The money has been accumulating for three years.

Georgia lawmakers are agreeing to a state budget that will pay full tuition for all college students receiving a HOPE Scholarship while boosting pay for all state and university employees. A House-Senate agreement signed Wednesday sets a $32.5 billion state budget beginning July 1.

Final negotiations over the spending plan should finish before Wednesday.

Policy experts with the nonprofit Georgia Budget and Policy Institute are hoping lawmakers pass an equitable budget that restores cuts made during the pandemic and invests in public health and education.

Budget cuts due to the COVID-19 economic crisis have led the state’s mental health agency to lay off 200 employees.

The Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections will be appealing to the county for more money as they head into an August runoff and what could be a very...