Gov's office: HTRG checks nearly in the mail UPDATE: But big new cuts for state agencies

UPDATE: It looks like I was sniffing around the wrong rumored cut. From Aaron Gould Sheinin at The AJC:

Perdue, in a letter to top state lawmakers, said he is being forced to lower the state revenue estimate by more than $274 million for the 2009 fiscal year that ends June 30.

Original post below.
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There's been some concern lately among local government types that the state wouldn't send them funding for the Homeowner's Tax Relief Grant.

That, despite the $428 million or so being included in the budget, Gov. Sonny Perdue would hold back on the money due to diminishing state revenues. With the state's budget year ending June 30, and no checks received yet by local governments counting on them to balance their budgets, you can understand their worry.

But this does not appear to be the case. From Bert Brantley, the governor's communications director: "OPB has approved the allotment for the 09 HTRG, which means the money has been released and checks will be issued soon."

The HTRG is a state payment to local city, county and school board governments, which allows those governments to give homeowners a tax break on their primary home. It's basically an expanded homestead exemption.

It will be funded this year, but not in fiscal 2010, which means property taxes will probably go up in many jurisdictions this fall.

UPDATE: More from Mr. Brantley:

It goes through a process -- OPB releases the allotment, it goes through the Comptroller to ensure there are funds in the Treasury to cover the allotment, then to the Dept. of Revenue to get the individual amount that each government will receive, then the checks are cut.

So, I can say its in process, I don’t think anyone should be waiting by the mailbox, but they will come soon.