The South Carolina Senate adopted H.3701, the FY 15-16 Appropriations Bill last night, Thursday, May 7.
Specifically, the budget includes the following for Clemson and Clemson PSA:
Clemson E&G
- $1.7 million in recurring funding for Clemson’s partnership with the Greenwood Genetic Center
- $750,000 in recurring funding for the Deep Orange project at CU-ICAR
Clemson PSA
- $500,000 in recurring funding for agribusiness and emerging farmers
- $750,000 in recurring funding for vegetable and fruit production
- $500,000 in recurring funding for 4-H youth leadership programs
Like the House version, the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance for state employees which will be covered by the state.
Additionally, the Senate version of the budget included an $800 bonus for each state employee who earns less than $100,000 a year. These bonuses are contingent upon a budget surplus at the end of the fiscal year.
The budget now goes to back to the South Carolina House of Representatives and then to a conference committee, which will negotiate the differences in the House and Senate versions.
The Senate is expected to begin debate on the Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) bill (H.3702) sometime next week. Currently, the CRF appropriates Clemson-specific funding for capital items to include the following:
Clemson E&G:
- $3,467,650 in nonrecurring funding for critical maintenance needs
Clemson PSA:
- $1,500,000 in nonrecurring funding for ag & natural resources field facilities
The CRF bill also contains a bond bill which includes funding for the following projects:
- $16.85 million for a new Business and Behavioral Sciences building
- $3.15 million for expansion of the T. Ed Garrison Arena education and instruction facility
