• Grants (each one worth at least $150,000) to private trade associations in the automotive, construction, engineering, and hospitality industries.
  • Funds for the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to entice filmmakers to South Carolina.
  • Funding for up to 144 House pages (there are only 124 House members).
  • Directs money, not to privatize South Carolina’s oldest-in-the-nation school bus system, but to study the issue.
  • $25 million to increase teacher salaries – defining “teachers” to include librarians, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, school nurses, and others.
  • $759,000 to pay for guaranteed summer jobs for agricultural education teachers.
  • $2.4 million for a program to figure out whether students are bright enough to be in Advanced Placement classes.
  • Department of Revenue directed to withhold interest on tax refunds by as much as two percent – effectively a hidden tax increase of roughly $3 million.

And while we’re at it . . . In our effort to dispel the notion that legislators are actually cutting the budget, we wanted to point out a couple of facts:

  • No fewer than 28 agencies have an increase in Total Funds (a combination of General Fund, federal money, and “Other Funds”) for a total amount of $146.35 million.
  • And 18 agencies have an increase in General Funds for a total amount of $33.2 million.

 

By South Carolina Policy Council

Since 1986 the South Carolina Policy Council Education Foundation has advocated innovative policy ideas that advance the principles of limited government and free enterprise. The Policy Council is the state’s meeting place for business leaders, policymakers, and academics – as well as engaged citizens – who want to see South Carolina become the most free state in the nation. For questions or comments on the articles on this website, please email Research Director Jamie Murguia.

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