Special Edition March 14, 2008
This GovNET special edition focuses on the FY 08-09 state budget, the sole emphasis of House members in the tenth week (March 9-15) of the session. The House gave the $7.2 billion budget a third and final vote on Thursday (March 13) before sending it to the Senate. Due to the economic slowdown, the spending plan relies heavily on reserve accounts ($300 million) and spending cuts, representing a reduction of 4.9 percent from last year’s budget.
“We had to dip into the reserve accounts to sustain a lot of necessary programs in health care, education and tourism,” said Rep. Tracy R. Edge. “The state’s tourism department was fortunate to get the same dollars for marketing destinations such as Myrtle Beach. We were also successful in protecting and furthering Interstate I-73, another high priority for the Myrtle Beach area.”
“I’m pleased that the General Assembly is becoming more acutely aware of the importance of funding the infrastructure and marketing requirements to fuel the state’s economic engine centered in the Grand Strand,” said Rep. Alan D. Clemmons. “The state’s investment in I-73 and the 2-for-1 matching program is evidence of that commitment.”
Highlights include:
- Interstate 73/74 will receive $1 million in funding.
- The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) will receive $12 million in nonrecurring dollars for tourism advertising, including $10 million for the 2-1 promotional grant program for destination-specific marketing. The $10 million would translate to $30 million under the matching program.
- SCPRT’s current marketing budget is $26.6 million, which includes advertising, creative and production, public relations, trade show participation and the welcome center program. This excludes the $10 million in the destination-specific marketing program. The agency’s FY 08-09 appropriated budget is expected to be cut 2.36 percent.
- Coastal Carolina University (CCU) has been denied the requested $5 million for new science labs and new faculty members. However, the delegation, led by House Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Daniel T. Cooper, has assigned $500,000 in nonrecurring funds for operational expenses and allocated 79 new positions (faculty, staff, administrative). The new positions would have to be funded without additional state dollars. Overall, the CCU budget represents a 3 percent cut in operating funds from the previous year.
- The health programs of statewide technical colleges, including Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC), also took a hit, reduced from $15 million to $10 million in state funding. However, approximately $700,000 has been identified for allied health care, of which HGTC would receive a percentage.
On the Net
MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com
SCStateHouse.net
House.gov
Senate.gov
USA.gov
SCChamber.net
USChamber.com
I-73.com
