THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Last week, Governor Henry McMaster delivered his State of the State address. The prepared text of the Governor’s remarks may be found here. President Jim Clements was in Columbia for legislative meetings and attended the State of the State address as an invited guest.
Below are some bills of interest to Clemson that are 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
The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued 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) delivered Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Wednesday, January 22.
Clemson PSA’s budget hearing was also held Wednesday, January 22 before the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. President Clements, along with Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) presented before the Subcommittee.
House Ways and Means Subcommittees that 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.