State officials are predicting that the cost of the HOPE and pre-kindergarten programs may exceed lottery revenue in fiscal 2010, beginning on July 1.

If that happens, a 2004 law will kick in that will force the state to reduce the $300 grant for books that HOPE beneficiaries receive.

A bill that likely would preserve the book grants for a while is expected to be debated on Thursday in the Georgia House. Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed a similar bill last session.