Recently the Senate passed its version of the yearly budget. While many important programs were funded, I’d like to share a few highlights of this bill with you.
The Senate added $64.7 million to the EFA which raised the Base Student Cost to $2,485. This represents a $60 increase over the current fiscal year. By doing the 2% step increase is included. The 2% step increase was not funded within the House version of the bill.
Also included in our version of the appropriations bill is a fully-funded 1% pay raise for teachers. The starting salary for teachers is increased to $32,000. We added $3 million recurring for school buses and an additional $5 million in non-recurring sources to remove all “fire-prone” buses from the road. Plus we added $1 million to the Exceptional Needs Tax Credit bringing the total amount of tax credit to $12 million for scholarships while maintain the $2 million direct tax credit.
The Senate fully funded the big three scholarship programs – Palmetto Fellows, LIFE and HOPE. Plus we provided an increase of $10.5 million in need-based aid for students in public schools for a total of $28 million. We provided an increase of $1.2 million in private institutions for a total of $11.2 million. Possibly most importantly we expand the Palmetto Promise Pilot Program to include all high school graduates from schools in the Abbeville Lawsuit Districts. These student will be able to attend a technical college in the state at no cost.
In addition, we funded $950,000 for Department of Employment and Workforce “Be Pro, Be Proud” initiative which is established to drive high school and non-traditional students to apprenticeship and skill -based employment. The Senate funded rate increase to a total of $31 per hour for Autism Therapy Service. This would be almost an 80% increase over the current rate.
Plus we funded $2 million in recurring funding for DPS trooper overtime pay. $5.5 million was funded for correctional officer pay increases at Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections. The Department of Agriculture was funded an additional $1.5 million in new recurring money for infrastructure projects that would maintain and increase the number of agricultural processing facilities. We funded the Local Government Fund at the same level as last year. Finally, the Senate funded $5 million to address the worst of the National Guard facilities across the state.
However, due to the differences between the House and Senate versions of this bill it is likely that there will be a Conference Committee appointed. This means that although these highlights reflect the spending priorities of the Senate this may not reflect the final version of the budget.
It is an honor to serve you in Columbia, and I am grateful for your continued support. As with all matters concerning state government, I want to hear your opinions and suggestions concerning these issues. Please contact me in my Columbia office located at 608 Gressette Office Building. You can reach me, or a member of my staff in Columbia at (803) 212-6000 or by fax at (803) 212-6011. My district office is located at 2523 East Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571, the phone number is (843) 423-8237 and the fax number is (843) 431-6049. You may also email me at kentwilliams@scsenate.gov
As always, I also want to supply you with my business phone number so that you will able to reach me easily at any time. My business phone is (843) 423-3904. Please use this information to write, call or email me with your suggestions and concerns regarding issues before the Senate and in our community.