This year, however, one would be wrong. Better-than-expected revenue projections mean (at least in the minds of Columbia?s political elite) that there?s more money to go around. So a good number of state agencies have suddenly decided that their previous budget requests understated their needs. By a lot, in some cases.
Below are the top ten examples. (Data comparison is based on FY 20011-12 budget, as ratified.)
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1. State Election Commission
FY 12: $2,360,943
Agency Request: $5,965,857
Senate Finance: $5,842,399
Dollar Increase: $3,481,456
Percent Increase: 147.5
The Senate Finance Committee added roughly $3 million dollars to the Commission?s budget for the 2012 election. The commission requested that this funding come from non-recurring revenue since presidential elections only happen every four years. Instead, the committee funded the request solely with general funds. That almost certainly means the Commission will have a lot of funding next year it doesn?t need, which creates the perverse incentive to invent the need.
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2. The Budget and Control Board ? Employee benefits
FY 12: $72,345,000
Agency Request: N/A
Senate Finance: $144,644,045
Dollar Increase: $72,299,045
Percent Increase: 99.9 %
The significant increase in this year?s appropriations include a 3 percent pay raises for state employees. In addition, funds were appropriated to increase the state?s contribution for the cost of the retirement system.
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3. Retirement System Investment Commission
FY 12: $10,152,679
Agency Request: $18,991,248
Senate Finance: $18,991,248
Dollar Increase: $8,838,569
Percent Increase: 87.1
The Commission requested the additional funds to hire 12 more full time employees. Neither the Executive budget nor the House-passed budget appropriated the funds for this request.
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4. Legislative Printing and IT Systems
FY 12: $2,992,324
Agency Request: Unknown
Senate Finance: $5,292,324
Dollar Increase: $2,300,000
Percent Increase: 76.9
It?s impossible to know whether this agency wants or needs this funding, given the fact that the office never submitted a budget request to the Governor. In October last year we highlighted numerous state agencies in violation of South Carolina law. According to the Senate Finance Committee?s budget recommendations, the additional funds are for IT upgrades.
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5. The Department of Insurance
FY 12: $11,472,544
Agency Request: $11,472,544
Senate Finance: $18,438,093
Dollar Increase: $6,965,549
Percent Increase: 60.7
The request submitted by the department does not include the additional $1.6 million the Senate Finance Committee appropriated to them. In addition, the Senate Finance Committee, the House, and the Governor provided the agency with across-the-board increases for personal service and operating expenses. The department will likely enjoy reaping the benefits of the additional funding, despite not having requested it.
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6. The Budget and Control Board ? Auditor?s Office
FY 12: $3,120,278
Agency Request: $4,675,856
Senate Finance: $4,696,535
Dollar Increase: $1,576,257
Percent Increase: 50.5
During the budget process a proviso was inserted that allows the Auditor?s office to retain funds related to audits of state agencies that receive funds subject to federal audit requirements. Essentially, state agencies will pay the Auditor?s office to perform work required to meet federal guidelines. The office did include a request for additional funding to alleviate the need for more timely and consistent audits of state agencies.
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7. Aid to Subdivisions ? The Department of Revenue
FY 12: $72,571,141
Agency Request: N/A
Senate Finance: $108,787,514
Dollar Increase: $36,215,773
Percent Increase: 49.9
Both the House and Senate Finance Committee include additional general funds to pay for Homestead Exemption tax relief. The Homestead Exemption benefits homeowners over the age of 65 and those who are disabled or blind. The program exempts the first $50,000 dollars of the value of your home from property taxes. The Governor, on the other hand, suggests paying for the tax relief through non-recurring funds.
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8. Prosecution Coordination Commission
FY 12: $14,206,168
Agency Request: $19,067,265
Senate Finance: $20,178,747
Dollar Increase: $5,972,579
Percent Increase: 42
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The commission requested the additional funding for training and various other programs related to prosecutors and victims advocates. In addition, the increased resources will be used to support the 16 judicial circuits, including salaries and benefits. The commission included justification for the additional costs, citing a backlog of cases and increased overall caseload.
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9. Commission on Indigent Defense
FY 12: $22,223,798
Agency Request: $22,223,798
SFC: $31,238,550
Dollar Increase: $9,014,752
Percent Increase: 40.6
Both the House and Senate appropriated $6.3 million to the commission to pay for private attorneys representing indigents in order to alleviate the backlog of cases. The budget submitted by the agency, however, asked for about $2.1 million for the same purpose.
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10. State Ethics Commission
?FY 12: $775,091
Agency Request: $771,904
Senate Finance: $1,074,406
Dollar Increase: $299,315
Percent Increase: 38.6
According to the Senate Finance Committee, the commission is receiving the majority of the additional $300,000 dollars to restore salaries of existing employees. For some reason, however, the agency didn?t ask for it.
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