June 9, 2014
THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA In accordance with state law, the South Carolina General Assembly adjourned sine die at 5 o'clock pm on Thursday, June 5.
The Sine Die Resolution (H.5282) was adopted by the House and Senate. This resolution enables the General Assembly to return after sine die adjournment on June 5 to work on the state budget, conference committee reports, gubernatorial vetoes, and other items agreed on by both bodies. The General Assembly will reconvene in statewide session on Tuesday, June 17.
The Clemson University Enterprise Act (S.535) was returned to the Senate as amended by the House. The Senate voted to non-concur in the House amendments. The bill now goes to a Conference Committee to negotiate the differences in the two versions. House conferees are Rep. Brian White (R-Anderson), Rep. Jim Merrill (R-Charleston), and Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg). Senate conferees are Senator Thomas Alexander '78 (R-Oconee), Senator Harvey Peeler '70 (R-Cherokee), and Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland).
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.
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 will be held tomorrow 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
Both bills were ratified on June 5 and sent to Governor Haley with five days (excluding Sunday) to issue vetoes.
Specifically, the budget includes the following for Clemson and Clemson PSA:
Clemson E&G - $1 million in recurring funding for Student Career Opportunity Programs (on-campus internships) - $200,000 in recurring funding for Focus on Student Success (increasing 4-year graduation rates) - $1,118,674 million in nonrecurring funding for critical electrical upgrades
Clemson PSA - $500,000 in recurring funding for the Agribusiness and Emerging Farmers Extension program - $250,000 in recurring funding for Precision Agriculture and Environmental Technology Research - $3 million in nonrecurring funding for Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Equipment
This version of the budget funded additional dollars for critical equipment repair and replacement for higher education institutions. Each institution's specific allocation will be distributed on a pro rata basis and will require match dollars. Clemson's share of this funding is projected to be $1,630,142.
Also included is a 2% cost of living pay increase for state employees. 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. 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 Veterans' Education Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and John McCain (R-AZ) have announced a bipartisan deal on a bill to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand and improve veterans' access to health care. While details of the legislation continue to be negotiated, the draft currently includes a provision to require in-state tuition for all veterans at public colleges and universities, which was included in previous versions of Sen. Sanders' veterans' omnibus package.
Senate Action on Student Loan Debt Senate Democratic leaders will continue to press for a floor vote this week on legislation introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to refinance rates on high-interest and private student loans, after holding three events last week on the topic.
Upcoming Hearings: - Today, President Obama will host an event at the White House on college affordability and student loan debt. - Tuesday, June 10: The Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee will mark up the FY 2015 Appropriations Bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies.
FYI
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