THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Coach Dabo Swinney and members of the 2018 National Championship team will be honored on the House floor during a Joint Assembly tomorrow at noon. You may watch the Joint Assembly here.
Higher Education Opportunity Act (S.298) was passed as amended by the Senate Finance Committee and now goes to the Senate floor. Clemson University worked with the subcommittee to amend the bill and ensure that this legislation is consistent with the 1889 Act of Acceptance and the terms and conditions of the Clemson Will. The amendment also includes regulatory relief.
The Campus Free Expression Act (S.33) To provide that outdoor areas of campuses of public colleges and institutions of higher learning in this state shall be deemed traditional public forums. Bill was recommitted from the Senate Education Committee to the Senate Education Higher Education Subcommittee
Reinforcing College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.35) To provide that each institution of higher learning must provide instruction concerning the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers and the Declaration of Independence to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours. Bill was amended, passed by the Senate and sent to the House where it was referred to the House Education Committee.
Nurse Preceptors (S.314) To allow an income tax credit for each clinical rotation served by a physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant as a preceptor for certain programs. Bill was passed by the Senate and sent to the House where it was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
Athlete Agents (S.263) Provides that certified athlete agents may pay certain expenses incurred before the signing of agency contracts by student athletes, family members of student athletes and individuals or classes of individuals authorized to receive such payments. Bill remains in Senate Education Subcommittee.
Tucker Hipps Act (H.3398) To permanently authorize the Act and to repeal the three-year sunset provision. The bill was passed by the House and sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Education Committee.
In-State Tuition for Military Personnel and Dependents (H.3639) To amend Section 59-112-50, Code of Laws of S.C., 1976, relating to military personnel and their dependents who are entitled to pay in-state tuition and fees without regard to the length of time they have resided in this state, as to expand categories of individuals covered by these provisions to conform with certain changes in state law. The bill was passed by the House and sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Education Committee.
The State Budget Process
The House Ways and Means Committee completed their work on the state budget on Thursday, February 21, 2019.
Below is a summary of the items impacting Clemson University:
Clemson E&G
– $5.7 million in recurring funding for in-state tuition mitigation
– $5.9 million in nonrecurring funding for safety and security infrastructure and enhancements
– $4 million in nonrecurring funding for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing
– $2.1 million in nonrecurring funding for Health Innovation Extension programming
Clemson PSA
– $1 million in recurring funding for Comprehensive Statewide Extension Programs
– $250,000 in recurring funding for Critical Agriculture and Natural Resources Research
– $750,000 in recurring funding for Livestock-Poultry Health Regulatory Programs
– $2 million in nonrecurring funding for Facility Renovation for Water Research
The Committee’s version of the budget includes a 2 percent pay increase for all state employees with an exception for employees of public higher education institutions and technical colleges who earn a base salary above $100,000/year.
The budget also includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers. The employee portion of both will be paid by the state. The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.
On February 21, President Jim Clements and Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) presented Clemson PSA’s budget request before the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee. Members of the subcommittee include Chairman Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington), Senators Kent Williams (D-Marion), Paul Campbell Clemson ’68 (R-Berkeley), and Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville).
On March 7, President Jim Clements is scheduled to present Clemson E&G’s budget request before the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee. Members of the subcommittee include Chairman Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) Clemson ’70, Senators Darrell Jackson (D-Richland), Paul Campbell (R-Berkeley) Clemson ’68, Shane Martin (R-Spartanburg) Clemson ’94 and John Scott (D-Richland).
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 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2019-20 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.
NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.