Senate Budget Debate Underway This Week: Here's what they're ...

The Senate is set to begin debate on the budget passed by the Senate Finance Committee last week.

Here?s what you should know about it:

• The total projected budget is the largest, yet again, in state history; totaling just more than $23 billion.
• This budget is larger than the both last year?s ratified budget, and this year?s House-passed budget.

Below is a comparison[1] of the Senate Finance Committee budget and last fiscal year?s.

YEAR	GENERAL FUNDS	FEDERAL FUNDS	OTHER FUNDS	TOTAL FUNDS
FY 11 ? 12	5,454,041,109	8,435,790,809	8,011,997,736	21,901,829,654
Senate Finance	6,109,743,845	8,664,299,765	8,232,770,635	23,006,814,245
Percent Increase	12%	2.7%	2.8%	5%

?

As has been the case in previous years, the Senate learned last week they would have an additional $292 million to add to their budget. This increase comes just months after the board added $1 billion dollars in revenue.

The question is, what are the Senate?s budget priorities?? Here are some of the major topics of conversation included in both the House and Senate Finance Committee budgets regarding spending priorities:

• Charleston Harbor Deepening fund ? both bodies provide $180 million dollars to the State Ports Authority.? As we pointed out, the Senate Finance Committee went a step further to fund the project.
• Unemployment tax relief ? both bodies, although with different funds, appropriate $77 million dollars to the Department of Employment and Workforce for tax relief from the State Unemployment Tax Act.
• Marketing and Economic Development ? these dollars are scattered around among multiple agencies.? For example, the Department of Commerce receives $10 million dollars for its deal closing fund (we?ve spoken about that before) from both the Senate and House.? The Department of Agriculture received $600,000 dollars in proviso spending for marketing purposes from the House, while the Senate provided $1.1 million for that purpose.? In addition, both bodies include substantial raises in the appropriations for the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and the Jobs-Economic Development Authority.
• Raises for Law Enforcement and State Employees ? both bodies are considering raises, the question is just how much.? Some on the Senate Finance Committee suggested 5%, while the House put a 2% raise in their budget, but didn?t fully fund it through the general fund.? The Senate Finance Committee version, currently under debate, also includes a 2% raise by appropriating the total amount needed ($48.7 million) through the general fund.

We?ll keep you updated as the budget is debated this week on the Senate floor.

?

---

[1] This analysis is based on Part 1A of FY 11-12 passed budget (H.3700) and Part 1A of H.4813. Part 1B of H.4813 stipulates nonrecurring proviso spending. According to the spreadsheet used by the Senate Finance committee during budget proceedings, proviso spending totals $514.8 million, making the total budget $23.5 billion, not the $23 billion reported in part 1A. The proviso spending total reported includes only provisos the General Assembly and the Budget and Control Board reported (sections 89 and 90).

bit coin huntsman w.e. episodes idris elba kelsey grammer martin henderson