Conference committee agrees to big increase in arts funding

House plan adopted for FY23, faces vote this week

In attempting to reconcile differences between the two bodies in the state’s FY23 budget, a six-member conference committee of House and Senate members approved the House’s plan late last week.

The House plan was more generous and longer lasting, doubling the Senate’s plan of $1 million in recurring funding. Now, the conference committee’s budget plan faces has two more hurdles to clear. This year’s legislative session was to came to a close exactly one month ago, but a Senate sine die resolution specifies the General Assembly will reconvene at noon, June 15 to take up unresolved items like the budget. If passed, and it is expected to, the budget will then move to the executive branch for Gov. Henry McMaster’s signature or (line-item) vetoes. The Hub will keep you updated.

Here’s how the SCAC’s portion of the budget will shake out:

• $2 million increase in recurring funds for grants
• $3 million of one-time funding for grants
• $500,000 in one-time funding for rural pilot programs

As noted previously, the SCAC budget request did include a $5.5 million increase. However, there was a difference as far as recurring/non-recurring funding.

• • $5 million increase in recurring funds for grants
  • $500,000 in one-time funding for rural pilot programs

Look for the next update later this week and, as always, check out more from the South Carolina Arts Alliance.

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Past updates

• May 13: Conference committee to take up state budget
• April 29: State budget (arts funding!) heads back to House
• April 20: S.C. Senate votes for increased arts funding
• March 15: S.C. House passes increased arts funding
• Feb. 25: FY23 state arts funding update
• Feb. 10: SCAC seeking $5 million in FY23 state budget

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