THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The second session of the 123rd General Assembly convened on Tuesday, January 14.
Governor McMaster will deliver his State of the State address on Wednesday, January 22 at 7pm.
This is the second year of a two-year session which means those bills introduced in 2019 retain their places on the calendar and in committee and are carried over to this year. Each legislative session is held from the second Tuesday in January until the second Thursday in May.
2020 is an election year for the entire General Assembly.
The House pre-filed legislation on November 20 and December 11, 2019.
The Senate pre-filed legislation on December 11, 2019.
As a reminder, below are some bills of interest to Clemson that remain on the calendar.
State Institutions of Higher Education Enterprise Act (S.283) Is contested on the Senate calendar for second reading. This legislation would allow Clemson and other universities in the state the necessary flexibility to operate in the areas of capital projects, procurement and human resources. The bill would allow auxiliary divisions to be free of some of the current layers of state oversight, while still being accountable to the General Assembly. Clemson testified twice while the bill was in Subcommittee. A similar bill, H.4453, was introduced in the House by Representatives Jason Elliott, Bruce Bannister and Gary Clary and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
Higher Education Opportunity Act (S.298) Remains on the Senate contested calendar. This legislation is designed to increase accessibility & affordability for in-state students by providing predictable source of state revenue in order to slow rising tuition costs. 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 Thomas Green Clemson’s Will. The amendment also includes regulatory relief.
The State Budget Process
Governor McMaster released his Executive Budget on Monday, January 14. The Governor’s budget contains the following recommendations for Clemson E&G and PSA:
CLEMSON EDUCATION AND GENERAL
– $4,764,109 increase for in-state tuition mitigation, representing a 5 percent General Fund base increase
– $1,300,000 (recurring) for Health Innovation Extension Programming
– $3,000,000 (recurring) for the Clemson University Center for Advanced Manufacturing
– $15,956,246 (nonrecurring) from the Capital Reserve Fund for Maintenance and Care of State-Owned Assets
CLEMSON PSA
– $1,127,250 (recurring) to support the Statewide Comprehensive Extension Program
– $1,448,400 (recurring) for critical fruit and vegetable research
– $767,800 (recurring) for statewide forestry and wildlife extension
– $4,000,000 (nonrecurring) for Research and Education Center Graduate Housing
– $2,000,000 (nonrecurring) for Pee Dee Research and Education Center Greenhouses
– $990,000 (nonrecurring) for the Sandhill Research and Education Center Research and Extension Building Repairs
The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) began agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January.
President Jim Clements, along with Tony Wagner (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) will give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation before the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Wednesday, January 22.
Clemson PSA’s budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22 before the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. President Clements, along with Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) will be presenting before the Subcommittee.
House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests
Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Gary Simrill (R-York)
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)
Representative Kirkman Finlay (R-Richland)
Staff: AJ Newton
Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)
Representative Alan Clemmons (R-Horry)
Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter)
Staff: Alyssa Weeks
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 20-21 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.