The House Ways and Means Committee announced late Thursday that full committee deliberations on the FY 2010-2011 state budget will be delayed by one week until February 22. House floor deliberations will be pushed back to the week of March 16.
 
After weeks of subcommittee hearings, it appears that budget leaders and staff need additional time to prepare for the budget meetings. Amid a still sluggish economy, growing demands to replace and increase reserve funds, and constitutional spending mandates, the committee is scrutinizing programs and services across-the-board for possible elimination or reduction. Even programs like the need-based tuition grants and merit-based scholarships, which have been spared from budget cuts in the past, are vulnerable. With expected state revenues at 2003-2004 levels, the face of state government could change dramatically in the next few weeks.
 
Public support for student grants and scholarships has been strong and visible. Students across the SCICU spectrum have written letters to their local legislators to thank them for their past support and encourage them to hold the line against cuts in student aid. The delay in the deliberations provides additional time for students to have their voices heard.
 
Friends of independent higher education in South Carolina can help preserve funding by writing to members of the General Assembly, especially to members of the House Ways and Means Committee, to urge them to continue investing in the future of South Carolina by supporting student grants and scholarships at the current levels.
 
Talking points, legislative contact information, and other resources are posted in the Advocacy section of SCICU's website. See related article below.