Dear Clemson:
Although it is much to early to celebrate, the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday approved an appropriation bill that includes good news for Clemson faculty and staff. The Committee approved funding for a 4 percent pay raise for all state employees and earmarked $32 million to ensure that there will not be an increase in employee health insurance. The budget also includes $30 million for the endowed chairs program.
However, the budget did include Governor Sanford's recommendation to assess all state agencies a base reduction related to savings through "modernization of our Human Resource systems and more efficient technology." The assessment for Clemson University is a base reduction of $247,447. The budget includes $1.2M in additional funding for engineering research centers at Clemson -- $791,272 in recurring funding and $408,728 in non-recurring funding.
The Committee approved $2.7 million in additional funding for Clemson PSA as well as $5 million in one-time funds to improve research and education facilities at the Baruch Institute for Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in Georgetown.
Please remember that this is the first step in a very long process. The Ways and Means appropriation bill will go to the full S.C. House of Representatives for consideration in mid-March. I will keep you informed as budget discussions progress.
Sincerely,
James F. Barker, FAIA
President