2008-2009 Budget Highlights

Funding highlights for Fiscal Year 2008-09 Appropriations (A310, R293, H4800 )

• Full funding of the Education Finance Act with $94.5 million, for a base student cost of $2,578.
• $3.3 million for textbooks.
• Four Year Old Kindergarten Child Development Education Pilot Program is funded with $15.7 million.
• $12 million is included for summer schools.
• Full funding of the LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship programs.
• $3 million is appropriated to the Center for Accelerated Technology, which works with businesses locating in South Carolina and technical colleges in order to provide training for workers.
• $2.5 million is provided for the Hydrogen Grants program at the South Carolina Research Authority.
• $4.5 million for the LightRail broadband, high-speed optical research network at the states research universities.
• $10 million for destination specific tourism advertising grants.
• A 1% State employee pay increase is provided with $19.9 million.
• State Health Insurance Plan increases are funded from projected 2008 surpluses within the plan so as to provide for no premium increases or reductions in benefits.
• $2.9 million is appropriated for the Home and Community Based Services Program providing services for senior citizens such as Meals on Wheels.
• $39.5 million is appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for Medicaid Maintenance of Effort.
• $13 million is appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for Institutes for Mental Health Transition.
• $4.5 million is included for the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Waiver within the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs for the Early Intensive Behavior Intervention Treatment program that serves children diagnosed with such developmental disorders as Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.
• $2.4 million is appropriated to the Department of Health and Environmental Control for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to eliminate completely the waiting list for treatment.
• $2.4 million is provided for the purchase of vaccines for under-insured children.
• $2 million is appropriated to the Department of Health and Environmental Control for the Best Chance Network early detection breast and cervical cancer screenings.
• $1 million is included for the Critical Needs Nursing Initiative.
• $9 million is provided to the Dept. of Social Services for the Child Support Enforcement System.
• $3.9 million is appropriated for public defenders at the Commission on Indigent Defense.
• The Department of Corrections receives funding for the operation of the Leath Correctional Institution and additional lock-up units.