TAKE THE QUIZ … AFTER ALL, IT’S YOUR MONEY

1) How large is the total state budget?

a. $6.5 billion
b. $16.5 billion
c. $22.8 billion
d. $24.3 billion

2) Which type of government funding grew the most from last year’s approved budget (by roughly $450 million)?

a. General Funds (Income Taxes, Sales Taxes, etc.)
b. Other Funds (Fines and Fees)
c. Federal Funds
d. Reserve Fund for Idiotic Boondoggles

3) Given that the General Assembly opted not to expand Medicaid per the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the budget for the Department of Health and Human Services

a. still increased by $540 million.
b. decreased by $90 million.
c. still increased by $120 million.
d. stayed about the same.

4) Which state university had a decrease in total funding?

a. Lander University
b. Clemson University
c. SC State University
d. No state universities had a decrease in total funding

5) In response to Obamacare, this year’s budget includes

a. nullification of Obamacare.
b. implementation of a State Healthcare Exchange program.
c. over $80 million in increased funds for hospitals and clinics.
d. nothing in response to Obamacare.

6) After “over-budgeting” $50 million in the budget, budget-writers offset this deficit by

a. cutting advertising/marketing funds for the Department of Agriculture.
b. cutting public employee salaries.
c. cutting $50 million in various local “pork projects.”
d. transferring $50 in non-recurring funds to the General Fund.

7) Which of the following non-capital projects was included in the Capital Reserve Fund?

a. $1.5 million for The Citadel “Cadet Accountability System”
b. $20.1 million repayment of Budget and Control Board loan from the DoR hacking incident
c. $3.3 million for the “Deal Closing Fund”
d. All of the above

8) The governor’s vetoes were worth approximately

a. $5 million.
b. $95 million.
c. $230 million.
d. $1.4 billion.

9) Approximately what percentage of the entire budget did sustained vetoes add up to?

a. .024 percent
b. .5 percent
c. 1 percent
d. 5 percent

10) Which law did the legislature refuse to follow during the budget process?

a. Section 11-11-90 (Joint open hearings of on the executive budget)
b. Section 2-7-125 (Roll call vote of each section of the budget prior to 3rd reading)
c. Both a) and b)
d. All of them

11) According to state budget documents, this year’s total budget appears to be smaller than last year’s because of

a) a decrease in funds to the Department of Education.
b) a cut in legislator salaries.
c) less funding for the Department of Natural Resources.
d) the omission of $1.5 billion in federal food stamp funds they transferred to an “unbudgeted account.”

 

[Answers: 1 = d; 2 = c; 3 = a; 4 = d; 5 = c; 6 = d; 7 = d; 8 = b; 9 = a; 10 = c; 11 = d.]

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.