The House recently passed its $13.2 billion budget proposal for FY2024-25. A special thank you to our Charleston Metro delegation members that serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, Rep. Lee Hewitt and Rep. Chris Murphy.

Please see below for Chamber priorities that were included: 

• $230 million to raise teacher salaries and increase teacher starting pay from $42,500 to $47,000.
  
• $57.5 million to freeze in-state tuition at public colleges and universities and relieve the tuition burden for SC students.
  
• $200 million to SCDOT to accelerate bridge infrastructure improvements throughout the state.
  
• $99.8 million to fund the second phased-in reduction of the individual income tax rate from 6.4% to 6.3%.
  
• $95 million to fund the SC Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship Program (SCWINS).  
  
• $20 million to the Charleston International Airport to help finance ongoing capital improvements.
  
• $5 million to ReadySC for Economic Development Training.
  
• $10 million to the Economic Development Closing Fund.
  
• $55 million to SC Ports Authority for land acquisition adjacent to the North Charleston Terminal for future economic development efforts.
  
• $2.3 million for Trident Technical College Electric Vehicle Institute.
  
• $50 million to SC Nexus to continue developing, testing, and deploying exportable energy technologies.
  
• $10 million to the Military Enhancement Fund which provides grants to ensure the long-term success of military installations in SC.
  
• $1 million to Veterans Trust Fund which provides grants to organizations providing Veteran’s services in SC.
  
• $182,000 to Military Child Education Coalition. Out of 73 school districts in SC, only 11 have received the Purple Star designation. This funding will help increase the number of Purple Star Districts across the state.

We expect the Senate to take up the budget next week. As always, we will keep you up to date with any changes.