Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--February 24, 2014
Story Date: 2/24/2014

February 24, 2014 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA S.93 (GI Bill In-State Tuition) and H.3086 (Military In-State Tuition) were both carried over by the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee this week. Ethics Reform (H.3945) received second reading by the Senate and is on the calendar for third reading on Tuesday, February 25. BUDGET The House Ways and Means committee completed their work on the state budget on Thursday, February 20. The Committee’s version of the budget includes the following specifically for Clemson University: Clemson E&G  •      $1 million in nonrecurring funding for Student Career Opportunity Programs (on-campus internships) Clemson PSA  •      $3 million in nonrecurring funding for Agriculture and Natural Resources Equipment The committee included a 1.5% cost of living pay increase for state employees in their version of the budget. The committee’s version of the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance for state employees, which will be paid by the state.  Under this plan, state employees would see a small co-pay increase. The budget now goes to the full House of Representatives for deliberation.  The House is expected to begin work on the budget the week of March 10.   On Wednesday, February 26, President Jim Clements and Dr. George Askew will present Clemson PSA’s legislative and budget priorities at a hearing before the Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources. 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 Services Activities (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. Detailed information on Clemson’s 2014 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2014-15 may be found at these links: Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities Clemson Public Service Activities (PSA) Priorities THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE ACT The Clemson University Enterprise Act (S.535) was passed by the Senate in May and sent to the House and referred to House Ways and Means Committee.  The Committee has not yet taken action on the bill. 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 FFA (originally Future Farmers of America) members from across South Carolina   traveled to Columbia for their annual Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 19.   "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.