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Agency seeks pay boosts, larger tribal grants and funding for rebrand
Summary
The commission told a House Ways and Means subcommittee it is not seeking new staff but is asking for $50,000 to raise low-end salaries, an increase of the Native American grant to $500,000, and $250,000 for a rebrand; lawmakers asked for spending details and data on vacancies and complaints.
Doctor DeCosta, the agency's presenter, told the Transportation and Regulatory Budget Subcommittee that her office is "not requesting any new FTEs" while pursuing a near-complete rebrand and a limited set of budget increases. She asked the committee to approve $50,000 to raise pay for the lowest-paid employees and $250,000 to fund the agency's rebranding rollout.
DeCosta said the agency began a $250,000 Native American grant last year and is seeking to increase that program to $500,000 total for the coming year. "Of the 250,000, about 200,000 has already been dispersed to tribal communities," she said, describing uses that include community clinics, youth programming and tourism marketing.
On small-business support, DeCosta described a proposed three-tier grant and technical-assistance pilot that would target firms by business revenue rather than race or gender. "It is a race and gender neutral proposal," she said, adding the commission plans to partner with existing statewide organizations, including SCASID, to avoid duplicating services and to provide training that helps certified contractors navigate state procurement.
Representative Long questioned staffing and a budget note labeled an "immigration hotline." DeCosta said the commission earlier operated a hotline but removed it after determining "the commission does not have the authority to deal with immigration issues" and that the attorney general's office handles such reports. She said a contractor in Alexandria had been paid to run the line "with no results."
The committee asked the agency to provide additional data on vacant positions and on grant expenditures. The subcommittee recessed after other agency presentations and will reconvene Tuesday to continue budget work.
