The Small Business Chamber is supporting a $40 million budget for the Technical College Lottery Tuition Assistance program. In the fall of 2003, this highly successful, lottery funded program paid approximately 75% of the tuition for 21,097 South Carolinians attending our technical colleges to prepare them with the skills our small businesses need. That is a 48% increase over the previous fall semester. To maintain this 75% tuition assistance level, $40 million in lottery funds are needed this year. The Senate Finance Committee is now starting to review this request and other budget matters.
Please contact Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Hugh Leatherman, and ask for his and his committee’s support for $40 million for the Technical College Lottery Tuition Assistance program. Tell him that small businesses need this effort to develop a well-trained workforce.
Hugh Leatherman SFI@scsenate.org (803)212-6640