THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Governor Henry McMaster delivered his State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 19. The Governor highlighted college transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities like ClemsonLIFE during his remarks. Hunter Hopkins, a current ClemsonLIFE student from Saluda, South Carolina, was present in the gallery for the State of the State and was recognized by the Governor during the address.
As a reminder, the Governor recommended $4,377,100 in lottery dollars for scholarships for these programs in his Executive Budget for 2022-23. This represents an increase of $3,627,100 from last year’s recommendation of $750,000.
The House and Senate completed their work on redistricting last week. The Senate is expected to begin debate on legalizing medical marijuana this week.
BUDGET
The State Budget Process
The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) held agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January.
Clemson E&G’s budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, 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 is scheduled 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.