 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA On Wednesday, President Jim Clements delivered a presentation on Clemson University before the House Higher Education Subcommittee as part of an overall update on the state’s public higher education institutions. H. 3247 was passed unanimously last week by the Senate. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H. The Senate amended the bill slightly, but the House is expected to concur in the Senate amendments. As a result, the bill could be sent to the Governor for his signature as soon as this week. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House of Representatives will begin work on the budget this afternoon. The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings. On Thursday, President Jim Clements will present Clemson E&G’s budget request before the Senate Finance Higher Education Budget Subcommittee. Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken) Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) 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. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Wednesday, March 5 was the annual Clemson Day at the State House legislative day. Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
