Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia state offices are getting a lot of federal grant termination notices, which is making community leaders and state lawmakers nervous about what will happen with millions of dollars in suddenly terminated money. The wave of terminations is already putting programs that meant to close the state’s digital gap, make the public safer, and help people who are vulnerable at risk.
In early May, the U.S. Department of Commerce told Georgia officials that it was taking back a $22 million grant that had been given to the state in 2021. According to The Current, this was one of the biggest decreases. The goal of the award was to improve “digital equity” and “digital inclusion” by giving Georgians in rural areas better access to high-speed internet. Many people in these areas still have trouble getting online. Seniors, veterans, individuals with impairments, and families living in poverty were all supposed to benefit.
In counties like McIntosh, where the median family income is far lower than the state average and broadband access is poor, the canceled funding would have helped people buy gadgets or learn how to use them. Now, those efforts are at risk.
The digital equity grant is just one example of the many layoffs that have happened because of orders from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since President Donald Trump took office again this year, DOGE has sent out about 27,000 notifications across the country telling people to stop spending money right away. Georgia’s contribution is only a little part of the whole, but it might have effects on a lot of things, such education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
So far, officials of the state have been careful. Georgia is not yet part of the group of states that are suing over the reduction to funding. Instead, officials like House Speaker Jon Burns say they are keeping a close eye on Congress and waiting to see how the debates over the federal budget will effect the state’s finances before deciding if a special legislative session is necessary.
Georgia usually makes its budget months before the legislative session starts. In the fall, lawmakers and leaders of agencies get together to talk about how much money they will need to spend. In January, the governor sends a budget plan. But now that federal money is in doubt, state officials have to make tough choices. Some of the options being looked at are using money from the state’s rainy day reserve, moving money from tax collections, or letting some programs get smaller or terminate completely.
Read also: Voters statewide have chance to influence Georgia’s energy future in PSC Democratic runoff
Marvin Lim, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and a state representative, said that Georgians could suffer extra problems if they don’t plan ahead. Lim spoke in the Capitol in June and stressed how important it is to establish a response strategy now instead of waiting when there are funding holes. He said that state money might help pay for some important programs, especially in areas like preventing domestic violence, but that it is hard to get ready because it is unclear how big the cuts will be.
Inconsistent data on the entire breadth of DOGE’s grant terminations makes the problem even harder. DOGE.gov, the agency’s website, counts hundreds of cutbacks, but watchdogs have found mistakes in the data, and some terminations are still being appealed or sued.
Read also: Kemp picks seasoned tax commissioner Frank O’Connell to head state’s Tax Court
Georgia is getting ready for what may be a leaner federal funding picture. The effects of these terminations are likely to become evident in the coming months, especially as the new state budget starts on July 1.
More details, what agencies and type of grants are affected can be found here.
