SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR LARRY RHODEN PRESENTED HIS BUDGET GOALS TO STATE LAWMAKERS IN PIERRE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
RHODEN PROPOSES THAT STATE EMPLOYEES WON’T SEE A PAY HIKE THIS COMING YEAR AS STATE REVENUES ARE DOWN, BUT 3-MILLION IN HEALTH PLAN RESERVES WILL BE USED TO KEEP THEIR HEALTH CARE COSTS FROM GOING UP:
SDBUDGET4 OC……SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS. :16
RHODEN SAYS OVERALL, STATE FINANCES ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE:
SDBUDGET5 OC……..STILL NORMALIZING. :19
THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES KEEPING THE STATE WORKFORCE FLAT, BUT ALSO WANTS TO RESTORE SOME BUDGET CUTS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR:
SDBUDGET6 OC……….OF THOSE CUTS. :16
HE ALSO WANTS TO SPEND FIVE MILLION TO REPLACE THE STATE PATROL’S PLANE, WHICH IS SHOWING ITS AGE, AND INCREASE SOUTH DAKOTA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FUNDS BY $296,000.
RHODEN SAYS AFTER THAT, THERE ARE STILL RESERVE DOLLARS THAT HE WILL LET LAWMAKERS DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH:
SDBUDGET 7 OC……SAFE AND FREE. :21
LAWMAKERS ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE WILL NOW SPEND THE NEXT MONTH PREPARING FOR THE 2026 SESSION, WHICH STARTS JANUARY 13TH.
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