Author: Meredith White

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

This week, the House of Representatives passed H.3516 (South Carolina Infrastructure and Economic Development Reform Act) in a vote of 97-18. This bill would provide for roads and bridges repairs and would generate approximately $600 million per year. The bill also includes a two-cents-per-gallon user fee each year for five years. The bill would increase the vehicle sales tax cap to $500.

The House and Senate overwhelmingly approved similar bills that address the state’s unfunded pension liability. Both bills would increase employee and employer contributions to the state’s pension fund.

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BUDGET

The State Budget Process

Last week, President Jim Clements delivered Clemson’s E&G budget presentation to the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee. Members of that Subcommittee include Senator John Courson, Chairman (R-Richland), Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland), Senator Paul Campbell Clemson ’68 (R-Berkeley), Senator Shane Martin Clemson ’94 (R-Spartanburg), and Senator John Scott (D-Richland).

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 may be found at these links:

Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities

Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) Priorities

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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.

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FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The Presidents of South Carolina’s three research universities, Dr. Jim Clements, Dr. David Cole (MUSC) and Dr. Harris Pastides (USC) delivered a joint presentation before the Senate Education Committee last week. The presentation highlighted collaborative initiatives between the three institutions as well as their collective impact on the state and an update on the state’s investments at each university.

BUDGET

The State Budget Process

The House Ways and Means Committee completed their work on the state budget last week.

The Ways and Means version of the budget contains the following specifically for Clemson University:

Clemson E&G

–      No new recurring funding

Clemson PSA

–      $700,000 in recurring funding for Agriculture and Natural Resources Programming

–      $600,000 in recurring funding for Statewide Extension Programming

The Committee’s version of the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both the health insurance and retirement contribution increases will be paid by the state.

The budget now goes to the full South Carolina House of Representatives.

Last week, President Jim Clements and Dr. George Askew, Vice President for PSA presented Clemson PSA’s budget request before the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee. Members of the subcommittee include Senator Nikki Setzler, Chairman (D-Lexington), Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion), Senator Paul Campbell Clemson ’68 (R-Berkeley), and Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville).

President Clements will deliver Clemson’s E&G budget presentation to the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee on March 1. Members of that Subcommittee include Senator John Courson, Chairman (R-Richland), Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland), Senator Paul Campbell Clemson ’68 (R-Berkeley), Senator Shane Martin Clemson ’94 (R-Spartanburg), and Senator John Scott (D-Richland).

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 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.

FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.

Clemson mourns the passing of Representative Joe Neal who died last week. Representative Neal was a strong supporter of Clemson University and Clemson PSA. We are grateful for his leadership and service. Representative Neal was a dear friend to Clemson and we join his family and the entire state in grieving this tremendous loss.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The House Ways and Means Committee approved H.3726 (Retirement System Funding and Administration Act) which requires state employees to pay 9 percent of their paychecks into the state pension plan. This number is up from 8.7 percent this year. Under the current version of this bill, state agencies, including Clemson University, would contribute 13.6 percent of each employee’s pay toward their retirement costs starting on July 1. That rate is now 11.6 percent and if the measure passes, it would increase to 18.6 percent over the next six years.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Last week, the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Education Committee gave approval to S.262 (Higher Ed Textbook Policy), a bill that would help minimize college textbook costs.

The House Ways and Means Committee approved H.3516 (Motor Vehicle User Fee) which would raise the gas tax by ten cents per gallon and create a dedicated source of funding for repairs to the state’s roads and transportation infrastructure. The full House of Representative is expected to vote on the measure this week.

BUDGET

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 early February.  

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) returned to make an additional presentation to the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee last week. The subcommittee has completed budget hearings and provisos. It is expected that the full House Ways and Means Committee will deliberate the budget the week of February 20.

House Ways and Means Subcommittees that deliberate Clemson’s budget requests

Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Brian White (serving as Interim Chair) (R-Anderson)
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)
Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)
Staff:  Kara Brurok

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Representative Gary Simrill, Chairman (R-York)
Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington
Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)
Staff:  AJ Newton 

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 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.

FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.

The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Last week, the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Education Committee gave approval to H.3583, a bill that would allow students eligible for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship to elect to defer enrollment in an eligible four-year institution for two academic years after graduation, without declining the award.

BUDGET

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 early February. 

South Carolina State University, the University of South Carolina and MUSC made their budget presentations before the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee last week.

House Ways and Means Subcommittees that deliberate Clemson’s budget requests:

Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Brian White (serving as Interim Chair) (R-Anderson)
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)
Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)
Staff:  Kara Brurok

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Representative Gary Simrill, Chairman (R-York)
Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington
Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)
Staff:  AJ Newton

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 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.

FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.

The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Last week, the House Education Committee gave approval to H.3035, a bill that would expand in-state tuition opportunities for veterans and their dependents. H.3034, a similar bill, was referred back to the Higher Education Subcommittee.

Former Governor Nikki Haley (Clemson ’94) was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday, January 25. Upon her approval vote in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, January 24, Ambassador Haley resigned as Governor and Lt. Governor Henry McMaster was sworn in as Governor. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) resigned on Tuesday afternoon, January 24. On Wednesday, January 25, Senator Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and subsequently ascended to the office of Lt. Governor. Senator Hugh Leatherman was then elected Senate President Pro Tempore.

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) Chairman Tim Hofferth testified before the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Education Committee on Wednesday, January 25. Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) chairs the subcommittee. Other members include Rep. Terry Alexander (D-Florence), Rep. William Cogswell (R-Charleston), Rep. Jason Elliott (Clemson ’93) (R-Greenville), and Rep. Jay West (R-Anderson).

BUDGET

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 early February. 

President Jim Clements and Brett Dalton (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) delivered Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation before the House Ways and Means Higher Education Budget Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 24.  

The Citadel and Coastal Carolina University also made their budget presentations before the Subcommittee last week.

House Ways and Means Subcommittees that deliberate Clemson’s budget requests

Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Brian White (serving as Interim Chair) (R-Anderson)
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)
Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)
Staff:  Kara Brurok

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Representative Gary Simrill, Chairman (R-York)
Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington
Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)
Staff:  AJ Newton 

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 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.

FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. 

The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Last week, the House Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Education Committee gave approval to two bills (H.3034 and H.3035), both introduced by Representative Joe Daning (R-Berkeley), that would expand in-state tuition opportunities for veterans and their dependents.

Governor Nikki Haley (Clemson ’94) was in Washington, DC for her Senate confirmation hearing last Wednesday. The Governor has been nominated by President Donald Trump as Ambassador to the United Nations. It is expected that, once confirmed, Governor Haley will resign as Governor and Lt. Governor Henry McMaster will be sworn in as Governor. The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled this week that the Senate President Pro Tempore will ascend to the office of Lt. Governor in the event Governor Haley resigns to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

BUDGET

The State Budget Process

Clemson PSA’s budget hearing took place on Wednesday, January 18 before the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee.  President Clements, along with Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) presented Clemson PSA’s budget request before the Subcommittee. 

 The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) began agency budget subcommittee hearings this week and will continue this process through January. This week, the Subcommittee heard budget presentations from the South Carolina Technical College System and individual campuses.

President Jim Clements is scheduled to give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 24.  

House Ways and Means Subcommittees that are hearing Clemson’s budget requests

Higher Education Subcommittee:

Chairman Brian White (serving as Interim Chair) (R-Anderson)

Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)

Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)

Staff:  Kara Brurok

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:

Representative Gary Simrill, Chairman (R-York)

Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington

Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)

Staff:  AJ Newton

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 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.

CLEMSON ON CAPITOL HILL

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has postponed the vote on President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. The committee vote, originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 24 has been rescheduled for Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. DeVos is a philanthropist, education activist and former Chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party. 

Ending weeks of speculation, President Trump has asked National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins to remain in his position. Collins is a geneticist who has headed the $32 billion NIH for the past eight years.

FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.

The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The first session of the 121st General Assembly convened on Tuesday, January 10 with a Tiger Paw flag flying high atop the State House dome!

This is the first year of a two year session which means those bills introduced during this legislative session will carry over until next year as well.  Each legislative session is held from the second Tuesday in January until the second Thursday in May.

The House of Representatives held their organizational session December 6-7.  During that session, Rep. Jay Lucas (R-Darlington) was re-elected Speaker of the House.  The House also received committee assignments, and met as standing committees to elect officers.

Three new committee members were named to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Those new members include Representative Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington), Representative Kirkman Finlay (R-Richland) and Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)

The House pre-filed legislation on December 15.

The Senate organized on December 6. Four new committee members were appointed to the Senate Finance Committee.  Those new members include Senator Karl Allen (D-Greenville), Senator Sean Bennett (R-Dorchester), Senator Tom Corbin (Clemson ’87) (R-Greenville) and Senator Greg Gregory (R-Lancaster).

The Senate pre-filed legislation on December 13.

Governor Nikki Haley (Clemson ’94) has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as Ambassador to the United Nations. Her Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for January 18. It is expected that, once confirmed, Governor Haley will resign as Governor and Lt. Governor Henry McMaster will be sworn in as Governor. The succession plan for the naming of a new Lt. Governor is currently before the South Carolina Supreme Court for clarification.

BUDGET

Governor Haley Releases FY 2017-18 Executive Budget Proposal

On Tuesday, January 10, Governor Nikki Haley (Clemson ’94) released her Executive Budget proposal for 2017-18.

The State Budget Process

The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) began agency budget subcommittee hearings this week and will continue this process through January. This week, the Subcommittee heard budget presentations from the Commission on Higher Education, Frances Marion University, Lander University and Winthrop University.

Clemson PSA’s budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18 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.

President Jim Clements is scheduled to give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 24.

House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests

Higher Education Subcommittee:

Chairman Brian White (serving as Interim Chair) (R-Anderson)

Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg)

Representative Mike Sottile (R-Charleston)

Staff:  Kara Brurok

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:

Representative Gary Simrill, Chairman (R-York)

Representative Chip Huggins (R-Lexington

Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston)

Staff:  AJ Newton

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 2017 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2017-18 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.

FYI

Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter.

The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

State primary elections are tomorrow, June 14 and the General Election is November 1. The entire South Carolina General Assembly is up for re-election this year.

On Thursday, June 9, Governor Nikki Haley Clemson ’94 issued her vetoes for H.5001 (The State Appropriations Bill)and H.5002 (The Capital Reserve Fund).

Only one of these vetoes, Veto 3 in H.5002 (The Capital Reserve Fund), impacts Clemson University.

Veto 3 – Clemson PSA – T. Ed Garrison Arena Education/Conference Center – $1 million
The T. Ed Garrison Arena is an exceptional event venue for livestock and equine events that draw participants and spectators from throughout the Southeast and increases the national reputation of South Carolina’s cattle, equine and other agriculture-based industries. The proposed center and facility improvements will enable Clemson to recruit more regional and national events to the arena and provide an excellent meeting and instructional facility and exhibition space that is not currently available in the upstate. The facility will also allow Clemson to expand its ability to provide educational youth events for 4-H and FFA.  

The House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Columbia to take up gubernatorial budget vetoes on Wednesday, June 15. The Senate will return on Thursday, June 16.

H.4521 (Tucker Hipps Transparency Act) was signed into law by Governor Haley on Thursday, June 9. This legislation requires South Carolina colleges and universities to post online student organization conduct violations by fraternities and sororities involving alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, physical assault or hazing. No students’ names or personal identifying information will be included in the online reports.

S.1258 (Transportation Infrastructure) was signed into law by Governor Haley. The bill includes a 10-year $4.5 billion dollar transportation plan for major highways and bridges along with SCDOT governance changes. These changes allow the governor to appoint all highway commissioners with the advice and consent of the Legislature, allow the board elect a transportation secretary, and limit commissioners to two four-year terms. From a funding perspective, the bill includes new recurring dollars from DMV fees and fines as well as the vehicle sales tax.

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The Clemson Advocates website is constantly updated with news and information.

To view the FEDERAL UPDATE for June 13, 2016 click here.

CLEMSON ON CAPITOL HILL

This Week
Both Chambers will be in session this week and return today. The Senate will convene at 4:00pm. The House will meet at 12:00pm for morning hour and at 2:00pm for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30pm.

Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Advances in the Senate
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved their bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education (LHHS-ED) funding bill by a vote of 29-1.

The bill would fund the National Institutes of Health at $34.084 billion, a $2 billion (6.2%) increase from FY2016 enacted. Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII and Title VIII programs would be funded at $527 million, a $35 million (7.1%) increase from FY2016. The Senate FY17 LHHS-ED appropriations bill funds Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $324 million, a $10 million (-2.9%) cut from FY2016.

Under the bill, the maximum Pell Grant for FY2017 would be $5,935, a $120 increase from FY2016.  In addition, the Senate LHHS-ED bill reinstates year-round Pell Grants. The reinstated year-round Pell program is modeled after the program included in S.1062, the “Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act,“ which does not have a minimum credit requirement or acceleration clause for eligibility.

Reinstating year-round Pell in FY2017 would cost $1.2 billion ($950 million in discretionary funding and $250 million in mandatory funding).  Funding year-round Pell would not require a rescission from the Pell surplus, it simply would increase the cost of the Pell program and deplete the surplus more quickly.

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work Study, TRIO, and GEARUP are all level funded.

The LHHS-ED bill language and the report may be found here.

Senate Consideration of FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
On Friday, June 10, the Senate voted to invoke cloture and limit debate on the NDAA. Senators have filed over 500 amendments.

Click here to see the STATE UPDATE for June 13, 2016.