Senate Finance budget invests in USC, higher ed statewide

The S.C. Senate Finance Committee (SFC), chaired by Sen. Harvey Peeler, has advanced its budget recommendations with support of Sen. Ronnie Cromer’s (Pharmacy ’73) Higher Education Subcommittee — marking the next important step in the state budget process.

In a tighter revenue year with significant competing demands, the SFC budget — similar to the House version — nevertheless makes strategic investments across the USC system in key areas such as affordability, civic leadership, healthcare (including the Neurological Hospital and Rehabilitation Center) as well as critical facility and capital needs across the entire system.

Notably, the committee matched the House’s tuition mitigation funding while also increasing support for the College of Pharmacy’s relocation to USC’s new Health Sciences Campus. Additional investments include restored lottery technology funding, support for the statewide nursing initiative at public colleges and funding for a new public policy institute with USC in a leadership role.

Overall, the SFC budget reflects continued confidence in USC’s statewide impact. The full Senate will take up the budget the week of April 20 before it moves back to the House and ultimately conference committee on or before June 30.