June 2, 2014
THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA Senate President Pro Tempore John Courson (R-Richland) and Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) placed objections on The University of Charleston Act (H.4632) after it was recalled from the Senate Education Committee. As long as an objection remains on the bill, it is unlikely that it will see action in the Senate.
The current version of the bill would keep MUSC and the College of Charleston separate, and designate a component of the College of Charleston as a research institution, The University of Charleston, which would receive a separate state appropriation and be eligible for endowed chairs. The College of Charleston would remain a liberal arts institution and the research university component would be used to offer graduate-level courses and expanded research efforts in the area. The proposal was further amended to ensure that the University of Charleston would not duplicate degree programs already offered by other higher education institutions in the Charleston region.
The Clemson University Enterprise Act (S.535) was given second reading in the House on Thursday. The bill was first amended in the House Ways and Means Committee 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 House. On the House floor, Chairman Brian White (R-Anderson) and Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) offered an amendment to include The University of Charleston Act which was also adopted by the full House.
The Sine Die Resolution (H.5282) was adopted in the Senate and returned to the House. This resolution enables the General Assembly to return after sine die adjournment on June 5 to work on the state budget, conference committee reports, and other items agreed on by both bodies.
Since this is the second year of a two year session. Bills that did not pass this session will not be carried over to the 2015 legislative session.
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
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:
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 Workforce Investment Act Compromise A deal is expected to close soon to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as Senators continue to negotiate over procedural issues. Senate leaders have other priorities to address before scheduling a vote on the compromise WIA bill, which could come the week of June 16. If the Senate approves the draft bill without major changes, House leadership has indicated it will act quickly to pass the measure.
NSF Funding Last Friday the House of Representatives approved the FY15 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill by a vote of 321 to 87. This legislation provides a 3.3% increase for NSF funding over FY14 levels. The Senate Appropriations Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Subcommittee will markup its draft FY 2015 CJS Appropriations Bill tomorrow, followed by a full committee markup on Thursday.
Upcoming Hearings: - Monday, June 2: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight will hold a roundtable discussion titled "Campus Sexual Assault: The Role of Title IX." This is the second of three roundtables on the topic planned by Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
- Wednesday, June 4: The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing titled "Student Loan Servicing: The Borrower's Experience."
- Wednesday, June 4: The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing titled "The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy."
- Thursday, June 5: The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to consider legislation related to veterans' health care, education, job-training and other benefits.
FYI
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