April 17 , 2006
TROUBLE IS BREWING IN THE SENATE
The state budget approved by the House is now moving through the Senate Finance Committee. Unfortunately, the Grand Strand's sunny weather does not mirror the atmosphere in the Senate and some vital funding for the Grand Strand is currently being threatened . . .
New Tourism Promotion Grant
The new tourism promotion grant that would provide a 50 percent match for new private industry funds was debated yesterday. There was an effort to water down the bill and change much of its intent. Thankfully, that effort was resisted. Although it remained relatively intact, there was a reduction in the minimum amount that has to be invested in order to receive the grant money. Because tourism promotion should be on the top of the legislature’s priority list, we’re hoping the Senate will reconsider this reduction and follow the House's pro-tourism lead.
CCU Funding in Jeopardy
There is an effort in the state budget debate to reduce the funding for Coastal Carolina University, which was approved by the House, by the way. The funding for CCU would be cut by nearly 90 percent! This would prove devastating for CCU, especially in light of the huge increases for the Florence and Charleston areas’ institutions of higher learning.
Now don’t get us wrong. Education is important and we don’t mind the other entities getting added funding. The fact of the matter is CCU is already significantly under funded and reducing the proposed funding would prove dreadful for the local university – not to mention that the reduction would be quite a slap in the face to Grand Strand legislators.
