BUDGET
The Senate completed their work on the budget last week. Senators Ryberg and Davis offered an alternative budget that did not include using the Stimulus funds but their amendment was defeated. The Senate version of the budget is much the same as the Senate Finance Committee’s budget, which appropriated the almost $350 million in Federal Stimulus funds in a separate part of the appropriations bill. Of these funds, approximately $185 million was spent on K-12 education and $99.9 million on higher education which included $14.7 million for Clemson E&G. $63 million was spent on other government services which included $2.5 million for Clemson PSA. Please keep in mind, however, that Stimulus monies are one-time dollars.
Clemson’s E&G base remained at $86 million which includes the additional 2% cut approved by the Budget and Control Board earlier in April.
The Senate also concurred with the Senate Finance Committee’s budget for Clemson PSA, proposing a $2,433,411 million base reduction. The Senate Finance Committee included additional revenues in their version of the budget from “raised revenue” to be generated by the Department of Revenue. The Clemson PSA base in the Senate version of the bill is $38.2 million.
The Senate budget includes fee increases in the Regulatory Services Division of Clemson PSA, which will allow vital services to farmers to continue. Clemson PSA’s Meat Inspection cost recovery money and proviso language was also included.
The budget now goes back to the South Carolina House of Representatives for their consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill. The House did not meet this week and it is expected that they will consider the budget next week.
HOT BILLS
H.3013 – Representative Limehouse and others – A bill to increase the penalty for removing or destroying fences or gates that enclose animals, crops or uncultivated land – given a favorable report by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.3104 – Representatives Murrell Smith and Joan Brady – A bill to create a SC College and University Board of Regents – pending in the House Education and Public Works Committee.
H.3147 – Representative Garry Smith and others – A bill to restructure state government by creating a Department of Administration – pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.3584 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to raise the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack – pending in the Senate Finance Committee.
H.3365 – Representative Cooper – This bill provides regulatory reform for the state supported research universities and the four year comprehensive institutions in SC. This bill is a collaborative effort by these institutions to propose regulatory reform in the areas of human resources, facilities, finance and procurement – sent to the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee.
H.3378 – Representative Cooper and others – A bill to provide for the terms and conditions of mandatory state agency furlough programs – ratified and signed into law by the Governor on May6, 2009.
H.3395 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to conform the SC Code of Laws to reflect any constitutional change in the amount required to be held in the General Reserve Fund – pending in the Senate Finance Committee.
H.3396 – Representative Harrell and others – A Joint Resolution to increase the General Reserve Fund from three to five percent of general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year – pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H. 3397 – Representative Garry Smith and others – A bill to set an annual spending limit on the appropriation of state general fund revenues and establish a spending limit reserve fund– pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.
H.3415 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to establish the SC Tax Realignment Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the state’s tax system – pending on the House Calendar.
H.3878 – Representative Rice and others – A Joint Resolution to establish a joint committee on the consolidation of state agencies to review the feasibility and costs savings related to the consolidation of certain state agencies – pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.3889 – Representative Jimmy Bales – A bill to change the requirement for Coggins Testing and to require testing for Strangles in horses – recommitted to the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
S.1 – Senator McConnell and others – A Joint Resolution to amend the SC Constitution to establish spending limits and establish a budget stabilization fund – given a favorable report by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
S.2 – Senator McConnell and others – This bill implements an annual limit on the appropriation of state general fund revenues – pending in the Senate Finance Committee.
S.9 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill to energy efficiency and renewable energy goals for state government – recommitted to the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
S.12 – Senator Leatherman and others – This bill creates the Taxation Realignment Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the state’s tax system – amended and given a second reading by the House.
S.84 – Senator Ford – A bill that would allow arrest warrants to be made available for public inspection and copying without a written request if the requestor appears in person – tabled by a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee.
S. 147 – Senators Campsen and Elliot – A bill to require the passage of a joint resolution prior allowing a bond authorization prior to the introduction and passage of a bill or joint resolution to authorize bonds for a given year – given an unfavorable report by the Sales and Income Taxation Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee.
S.182 – Senator Setzler and others – This bill is similar to S.12 and creates a permanent Tax Research Commission to study and make recommendations on sales tax exemptions and the state’s tax system – continued by the Senate Finance Committee.
S.268 – Senator McConnell – A bill to clarify building code inspection procedures – Senate concurred with the House amendments and enrolled for ratification.
S.351 – Senator Grooms – A bill to restructure the organization of the SC State Ports Authority – pending on the House Contested Calendar.
S.377 – Senator Scott and others – A bill to require public institutions of higher education to develop a credit card marketing and solicitation policy – passed by the Senate and referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.
S.452 – Senator Campbell and others – A bill relating to SC surface water withdrawal and reporting – pending in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
S.517 – Senator Davis and others – A Joint Resolution requiring certain fees charged by state agencies that are set by regulation to be approved by the General Assembly – pending on the Senate Contested Calendar.
S.577 – Senator Leatherman and others – A Concurrent Resolution to allow the General Assembly to accept federal stimulus funds if the Governor fails to certify in the required period of time that he will request these funds – pending on the Senate Contested Calendar.
S.593 – Senator Shane Martin – A bill to allow persons who have a concealed weapons permit to carry a weapon on school property or college campuses if the weapon remains inside an attended or locked car – passed by the Senate and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
S.711 – Senator Danny Verdin – a Joint Resolution to allow Clemson Regulatory Services Division to quarantine counties for Citrus Greening Disease – passed by the House and Senate and enrolled for ratification.
For a complete list of bills being tracked by Governmental Affairs please go to the State Relations page of the Office of Governmental Affairs Web site: http://www.clemson.edu/governmentalaffairs/.
FYI
The House of Representatives took another furlough and did not meet this week. The Senate Finance Committee debated the cigarette tax and amended the proposal to put all revenue collected over the first year from the tax increase into a health care trust fund. At the end of one year, the General Assembly would have to decide how the revenue would be allocated. The bill now goes to the full Senate for debate.
On Thursday, the Senate amended H.4000 and returned it to the House. This bill is the Sine Die Resolution that provides for the General Assembly to adjourn on May 21st. After May 21st, the General Assembly could reconvene for up to three days to take up certain matters including gubernatorial vetoes. The Sine Die adjournment date is set for January 10, 2010 in case there is some need to return to address budget shortfalls or federal stimulus matters.
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