Spenders in style, as expenditure bills pile up in notoriously thrifty South Dakota Legislature
An unprecedented $250 million in one-time funds, thanks largely to federal coronavirus payments, is up-for-grabs at the Statehouse in Pierre, S.D., and has enticed a range of spending proposals from lawmakers and the governor, from a $19 million beef barn to $6 million to pave a gravel road out west. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | ×
Legislative pages read new bills in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the statehouse in Pierre, S.D., on Thursday, Jan. 28. With between $150 to $250 million in one-time funds up for grabs, many lawmakers have introduced spenders, with many proposing new infrastructure. Christopher Vondracek / Forum News Service
In political reversal, longshot mask mandate in South Dakota heads to the full Senate
Senate Bill 125, a measure requiring masks indoors in South Dakota, overcame steep political odds by clearing a health committee and vaulting toward debate by the full Senate, albeit without recommendation from the committee. Lawmakers were pessimistic about the measure s final passage, but said a public conversation on the bill s merits could further encourage mask-use in a state rocked by the virus. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | ×
Sen. Reynold Nesiba, left, testifies in favor of Senate Bill 125, which would temporarily impose a statewide mask mandate for South Dakota to help interrupt the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The Health and Human Services Committee adopted his measure 5-2 without recommendation. (Christopher Vondracek / Forum News Service)