THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The General Assembly did not meet in statewide session today due to inclement weather.
The House and Senate continued the exercise of redrawing district lines for General Assembly and congressional seats. Maps for South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives were finalized in December. On Wednesday, the House passed S.865 sent it to the Senate. The Senate continued work on the congressional redistricting proposals late this week, taking hours of public testimony on Thursday afternoon.
The Senate also began debate on repealing state’s Certificate of Need law, which currently requires state approval before building a new hospital or expanding an existing facility. As a result, several bills, including State Institutions of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) have been carried over.
Governor Henry McMaster will deliver his State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 19 at 7pm. The Governor is expected to highlight college transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities like ClemsonLIFE during his remarks.
BUDGET
The State Budget Process
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.
Institutions presenting before the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee last week included the USC System, the College of Charleston, and the SC Technical College System.
Clemson E&G’s budget hearing, originally scheduled for today, has been rescheduled for January 26. President Jim Clements, along with Tony Wagner (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) will deliver Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee.
Clemson PSA’s budget hearing has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 25. President Clements, along with Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) will be presenting before the House Ways and Means Economic Development Budget 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 David Weeks (D-Sumter)
Representative Lee Hewitt (R-Georgetown)
Staff: Teesha Trapp
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.
2022-23 State Budget Priorities
Clemson E&G
Recurring Requests
Base Appropriations Increase (In State Tuition Mitigation) $12.6 million
Rural Health $1.3 million
Nonrecurring Requests
IT Network Infrastructure Improvements $39.7 million
Advanced Materials Innovation Complex $25 million
Planned Maintenance and Renewal Projects $17 million
Clemson PSA
Recurring Requests
Rural Health Cooperative Extension & Research $2.4 million
Laboratory Services Support $1.5 million
Integrated Agriculture Technology $1 million
Nonrecurring Requests
Critical PSA Infrastructure $3.6 million
Edisto Research & Education Center Infrastructure $8.3 million
Upgrades and Expansion
Poultry Science Research Facility $4.7 million
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.