PIERRE, S.D. — Governor Kristi Noem says South Dakota heads into 2021 in one of the strongest financial situations of any state in the country.
That’s what governor indicated as she gave her annual budget address to state lawmakers Tuesday.
But the Governor also said the state must remain cautious.
“We cannot recklessly spend every taxpayer dollar that we have,” she said. “When we do invest in our state, we must invest wisely and strategically.”
Gov. Noem’s FY 2022 budget recommendations fall into three broad categories: paying off debt from 2010, restoring and reinvigorating the state’s infrastructure, and strengthening communities.
Highlights include a one-time $21 million expenditure to retire debt incurred in 2010 to expand key programs at three of the state’s four technical colleges, an additional $100 million to fund continuing efforts to expand access to broadband internet in rural areas of the state, and bolstering the state’s “rainy day” fund by increasing the state’s budget reserve by 2%.
She is also calling for inflationary adjustments of 2.4% for medical provider reimbursements, state aid to education, and per-student allocations for the technical colleges.
Acknowledging the impending arrival of the B-21 Raider at Ellsworth Air Force Base, Gov. Noem proposed $12.7 million for a new recreational facility near the base to replace the on-base facility that will have to close in order to accommodate the new B-21 squadrons.
