On Tuesday, January 15, Gov. Henry McMaster released his FY2020 Executive Budget. Released each January, the Executive Budget lays out the priorities of the Governor for the coming year.
This was the second Executive Budget Gov. McMaster has proposed, his first coming after he was sworn in as former Gov. Nikki Haley left SC for her post as UN Ambassador. For the second time, the Governor proposed level funding for the SC Arts Commission – the third year in a row a sitting governor has made that proposal.
Read the full Executive Budget >>
The SC Arts Commission submitted their budget requests in September which included a $865,000 increase in General Fund dollars, and a $500,000 increase in Education Improvement Act (EIA) dollars. Those new funds would support grants, rural outreach, professional development, pilot programs, and arts education.
A full breakdown of the requests can be read here >>
The Governor’s budget proposal is not law however. The Executive Budget is just a proposal submitted to the people and the Legislature. The Legislature creates and passes the state’s budget ultimately, with the Governor receiving a final version in May for him to review and, if he chooses, veto certain items.
The Governor’s budget does include proposals for increased teacher salaries, school infrastructure, and other education needs.
If you would like to help the arts community raise awareness and support for increased funding, join the SC Arts Alliance during Arts Advocacy Week – including our Legislative Breakfast + Statehouse Rally on Wednesday, February 13 >>
