ATLANTA (AP) — Tax collection growth in Georgia grew by more than 10 percent last month, potentially improving the state's budget situation.

Gov. Nathan Deal's administration said Monday that tax and other collections stood at roughly $1.7 billion in January, up roughly 10.4 percent compared to same period last year.

State lawmakers crafting Georgia's state budget have said they hoped for several months of growth to meet estimates.

Personal income tax collections increased 16.3 percent to just over $1 billion. Growth in sales and use taxes was relatively flat.