Clemson asks lawmakers to reject Sanford's proposed PSA cuts

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They asked for $54 million in new funding instead of cuts in Clemson's Public Service Activities.

The PSA, which offers programs ranging from its agricultural extension service to youth development programs, radio programs and pesticide regulation, has lost a third of its state funding since 2001 and eliminated 212 jobs because of budget cuts, officials told lawmakers.

It's also cut 73 research projects and been unable to study agriculture biosecurity issues due to a lack of funding, they said.

Sanford asked for $15 million in PSA cuts last year and about $5 million this year, arguing that the school needs to focus on agriculture and trim unrelated programs.

Clemson student body president Adam Hammond, a 22-year-old finance major from Greenville, told lawmakers that public service is at the core of the university and its students.

"Public service is extremely important to us," he said. "There are so many different ways that we serve the state."

Clemson President James F. Barker agreed. "Clemson wouldn't be Clemson without the PSA," he said.

Barker asked lawmakers to add $5.8 million in recurring funds to the PSA's budget to maintain research, extension service and regulatory activities, as well as to fill critical staffing needs and hire biotechnology faculty.

He also asked for $49 million in one-time money: $5 million to build a new research facility at the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology, $10 million for construction of facilities for farm animal research, $28 million to develop a bioprocessing facility to lure biotechnology industries to the state and $6 million to build a turfgrass research center.

Sanford wants to eliminate the PSA's turfgrass activities, arguing the golf course industry should fund such research.

He also wants PSA's pesticide regulation to be self-sufficient and wants to axe PSA radio shows like "Your Day," require Master Gardener candidates to make that program self-sufficient, and to end urban wildlife and forestry programs, arguing other local or state agencies should be doing them.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, an Orangeburg Democrat who sits on the full House budget committee, said she didn't think Sanford had much House support for cutting PSA.

"I am very supportive of Clemson's PSA," she said. "I don't think House members will go along with those cuts."

Rep. Jim McGee, a Florence Republican who chairs the budget subcommittee examining PSA's budget, said it was likely lawmakers wouldn't fully agree with Sanford's PSA recommendations.

"What we heard from legislators from all the different communities is that Clemson PSA is very important to this state in a number of ways," he said. "While we respect the governor's view of it and we think he's right to take a look at some things, we think this is one we might respectfully disagree."

McGee, however, said that he did not know how much of Clemson's request for added funds would be approved because lawmakers have already been asked to pay for $200 million more in programs than the state will have in funds next year.

"We'll have to decide what to fund and what's important and what we can do without," he said. "And I'm not sure where we're going to fall with Clemson's PSA on that. My job is to be sure (members of the full budget committee) at least hear a good argument from us."

Barker told lawmakers that Clemson is redesigning the PSA to make it more efficient and focused. He said it remains a key part of the state's economic growth.

"We are the economic engine that will propel the agribusiness cluster," he said.

John Kelly, Clemson's vice president of public service, said the PSA's focus on biotechnology research will become increasingly important as scientists find new ways of looking at the subjects of agriculture and human health, especially in their examination of genes.

One day, he said, grocery stores will offer a large variety of carrots, each developed with a different set of genes to apply to different human health conditions.

"You may have carrots that have been designed for people with high blood pressure or who are susceptible to colon cancer," he said.

He said the PSA has the world's largest collection of important agriculture genes but not enough scientists to study them.

The PSA wants added gene scientists to study ways to control disease susceptibility genes, to improve crop production, to improve wood and non-wood forest products and to improve tree resistance to disease and pests.

He said the proposed turfgrass facility would use private industry funds in combination with government money. Golf and turfgrass facilities in the state generate more than $4 billion annually and 15,000 jobs. The facility will allow the state to remain competitive with other of the state's golf offerings, officials said.

"The mistake I think we may make in South Carolina is to assume agriculture is part of our past," Barker said. "If we do what we're doing well, it's an important part of our future."