This past week, the SC Legislature returned for brief, socially distant, sessions. Two pressing issues were at hand: the budget and sine die.
Budget
The State’s budget ends on June 30. The Legislature’s only constitutionally-required job is to pass a budget before that date, otherwise the state government automatically shuts down July 1.
The state is expecting revenues, especially new expected revenues, to decline as a result of COVID-19, however the impact won’t be able to be measured until later this year. To fill the gap, the Legislature passed a “Continuing Resolution” (CR), which keeps the state and all of its agencies funded until September. The Legislature will return then and take up the full state budget.
Sine Die
Sine Die refers to the last day the legislature can be in session for the year. Typically, that is the second Thursday in May, but due to COVID-19, the Statehouse has been empty for over a month. If the Legislature wants to return at some point beyond that May date, it must pass a “Sine Die Resolution” which lists out the specific, and only, items the legislature can vote on when they return. This year, that list includes the budget, COVID relief (a budget issue mostly), Santee Cooper, as well as conference committee reports, and appointments.
Where the Arts Stand
Before COVID-19, the arts budget included increases of $1 million in grant funding, as well as a one-time line item of $1 million for facility improvement grants across the state. The state budget at that time had only passed the House and was on its way to the Senate before the legislature adjourned due to the coronavirus.
When the Legislature returns in September, the Senate will take up the budget. They will use the House version, paired with their own priorities, and create the Senate version of the budget. At that point, the two bodies will work out differences in a Conference Committee.
The wild card for the fall now becomes the impact of COVID-19 on state revenues. The State was expecting almost $2 billion in new revenue. That new revenue is now up in the air, as well as existing revenues.
In the meantime, the arts will be funding through September at current funding levels.
