SD Lawmakers Ready For New Debate On School Money
by Associated Press
January 06, 2013 12:24 PM
South Dakota lawmakers are readying for another debate on funding for school district as they head to Pierre for the year's legislative session.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has recommended that state aid to school districts be increased by 3 percent next year to account for inflation. It's one of many issues lawmakers will tackle in the 2013 session, which begins Tuesday.
But the governor's proposed state budget also leaves $26.5 million uncommitted, meaning he and the Legislature might decide to give schools extra money.
House Republican Leader David Lust says most lawmakers want to give schools extra money, but federal budget woes might hurt the state budget.
House Democratic Leader Bernie Hunhoff says schools need extra money to recover from budget cuts made two years ago.
