House Budget Provio 90.20, or “The Slush Fund”
Each year during the budget process, state lawmakers take “left over” money from the General Fund (we’ve talked about how we feel about the idea of “left over” taxpayer money…
Funding the Arts Commission
As recently reported by The Nerve, a bill that establishes a steady source of funding for the Arts Commission, S. 1210, has passed through the Senate Education K-12 Subcommittee. The…
Education Provisos in the House Budget
Two proposed provisos – both of which failed – would have required the State Superintendent of Education to accept federal education funding. The first proviso would have required the Superintendent…
The House Budget’s Five Worst Economic Development Provisos
Next year, the state of South Carolina will receive around $25 million dollars from the National Mortgage Settlement, a joint federal-state lawsuit against loan servicers awarded to parties affected by…
The House Budget Passed Unanimously. Here’s Why.
Last week, the South Carolina House passed its budget on second reading by a vote of 117 to 0. Then members passed it on third reading by a vote of…
House Passes Largest Budget in State History
With the budget passed by the House of Representatives in hand, we’ve been able to make some early growth calculations: the total projected budget of $22, 856, 794, 900 (as…
The House Tax Plan: True Reform or Something Else?
As we’ve reported in the past, South Carolina’s tax rates are among the least competitive in the nation. Middle class families pay an inordinately high top rate, manufacturers are crippled…
House Passes Budget
On Wednesday the House passed the budget by a vote of 115-0. The bill contains, among other things, pay raises for state employees, millions of dollars for the state’s deal…
Ways and Means Budget Largest in State History – Yet Again
The House is currently debating the budget recommended by the Ways and Means committee after months of hearings. With just over $535 million in “new” recurring revenue[1], lawmakers justify spending…
Economic development for the Arts Commission?
Amazingly, now even the Arts Commission is trying to get funding for “economic development” programs. We found this tidbit in the Arts Commission’s FY12-13 budget request: Artist Development: The agency…
USC Greenville Medical School
The House appears to be set to send $17.2 million to the USC Greenville School of Medicine.
Eat Your Vegetables!
Most of us remember a time when our parents encouraged us to eat healthy things like fresh vegetables, and discouraged us from eating too much processed and otherwise “fast” food.…
The House meets today for budget debate
The House Ways and Means committee officially released their FY 12 – 13 budget on Tuesday. You can find the bill here. The bill, coming after weeks of budget hearings…
The Best and the Worst of the Executive Budget
The law stipulates the governor write the budget and that the General Assembly amend this document. Therefore, the governor is responsible for outlining the state’s spending priorities. Instead of curbing…
State Government Charges for Public Information
Despite constant proclamations from state officials about their commitment to transparency, the Policy Council and The Nerve have thoroughly documented how difficult it is in South Carolina to get state…
The Governor’s Budget – A Sign of What’s to Come?
The governor’s budget is only the first in a series of budget drafts before we arrive at the final state budget later in the spring. Generally – in fact, without…
Freedom of Information Not Quite Free
Watch The Nerve‘s Rick Brundrett discuss South Carolina’s FOIA laws on WCBD. Read his latest article on the subject here!