ATLANTA — The Board of Regents, hoping for an improved economic picture next year, asked the governor and state lawmakers Tuesday for a 4.6 percent increase in spending for university system operations next year, plus $390 million for new construction projects on campuses across the state.

The proposed budget, adopted informally by the board during the first two of its two-day monthly session, will go to Gov. Sonny Perdue after the action is ratified today.

Perdue then will consider it along with the requests of other state agencies in making his budget recommendations to the Legislature next year.

The proposal would boost state spending on the university system from $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion in the year beginning July 1.

The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, state Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Evans, who observed the meeting, said, “We’re going to give it a very good look and see what we can do.”

Most state agencies, including the university system, have had to endure budget restraints during the past several years