THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Last week, the House Education Committee gave approval to H.3035, a bill that would expand in-state tuition opportunities for veterans and their dependents. H.3034, a similar bill, was referred back to the Higher Education Subcommittee.
Former Governor Nikki Haley (Clemson ’94) was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday, January 25. Upon her approval vote in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, January 24, Ambassador Haley resigned as Governor and Lt. Governor Henry McMaster was sworn in as Governor.
Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) resigned on Tuesday afternoon, January 24. On Wednesday, January 25, Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and subsequently ascended to the office of Lt. Governor. Senator Hugh Leatherman was then elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) Chairman Tim Hofferth testified before the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Education Committee on Wednesday, January 25. Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) chairs the subcommittee. Other members include Rep. Terry Alexander (D-Florence), Rep. William Cogswell (R-Charleston), Rep. Jason Elliott (Clemson ’93) (R-Greenville), and Rep. Jay West (R-Anderson).
BUDGET
The State Budget Process
The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through early February.
President Jim Clements and Brett Dalton (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) delivered Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation before the House Ways and Means Higher Education Budget Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 24.
The Citadel and Coastal Carolina University also made their budget presentations before the Subcommittee last week.
House Ways and Means Subcommittees that deliberate Clemson’s budget requests
Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Brian White (serving as Interim Chair) (R-Anderson)
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)
Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)
Staff: Kara Brurok
Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Representative Gary Simrill, Chairman (R-York)
Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington
Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)
Staff: AJ Newton
From a state budgeting standpoint, Clemson is considered two separate state agencies: a research university that receives an educational and general (E&G) state appropriation for teaching and student support, and a land-grant Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs.
The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue.
Detailed information on Clemson’s 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 may be found at these links:
Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities
Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) Priorities
BILLS OF INTEREST
The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here. Click on the bill number for a description of the legislation, along with the bill’s current status.
FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.
The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.