May 12, 2014
THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA There are 12 legislative days left in the session. By law, the General Assembly must adjourn on June 5 but may return to finish work on the budget or other items agreed on by both bodies. Primaries are set for June 10th and the General Election is November 4th. The South Carolina House of Representatives and Constitutional Officers are up for election this year, as well as the entire US House of Representatives and 33 US Senate seats.
BUDGET The South Carolina Senate began budget deliberations last week. The Senate will continue their work on the state budget this week.
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:
THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE ACT
Specifically, the bill was amended to provide "regulatory relief" in the area of the capital improvement process (facilities approval) for all higher education institutions in the state. The amendment was offered by Chairman Brian White and was unanimously adopted by the Subcommittee.
The next step for the bill will be to go to the full House Ways and Means Committee.
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 Legislation to refinance rates on high-interest and private student loans was introduced in both chambers last week. According to a Congressional Research Service report, students who refinance under the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, would save thousands of dollars under three separate borrower scenarios. New rates for the 2014-2015 school year were set last week, after the 10-year Treasury note was set at 2.61 percent. As such, the following rates are expected: - Rates on new undergraduate federal Stafford loans will increase from 3.86 percent to 4.66 percent; - Rates for graduate students will increase from 5.41 percent to 6.21 percent; and - Rates for Direct PLUS loans will increase from 6.41 percent to 7.21 percent.
The legislation would allow existing borrowers with high-interest loans to refinance at current rates, while allowing borrowers with private loan debt to refinance under the Federal Direct Loan Program. The legislation enjoys leadership backing in the Senate, which has promised to bring the legislation to the floor this year, but House consideration is unlikely.
Upcoming Hearings Wednesday, May 14: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing titled "Promoting the Well-Being and Academic Success of College Athletes." The hearing will explore how the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) is integrating intercollegiate athletics into higher education and whether the commercial operation of college athletics is unfairly exploiting college athletes.
FYI
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