In his first public appearances since his budget address, Governor Larry Rhoden said his investments are pushing South Dakota in the right direction.
That includes the long-embattled prison project, which he said represents a shift in mindset for the state.
“The investments we’re making in this state – the women’s prison here and the men’s prison – the recidivism and rehabilitation task force and the emphasis we put on that," Rhoden said. "For our entire history we’ve focused on housing prisoners rather than rehabilitating them. We’re bringing a lot of resources to bear and a lot of deliberate planning.”
One of the most-discussed items in Rhoden’s budget was a zero percent raise to the so-called “Big Three” – educators, healthcare, and state employees.
Meanwhile, Rhoden recommended adding 12.5 percent of the budget to the state rainy day fund.
Rhoden, speaking in an press briefing in Rapid City, said this decision is part of the “normalizing” curve.
“We’ve had back-to-back-to-back record setting years in the post-COVID era and we’re coming down off it," Rhoden said. "So, it’s not to say it’s any less disappointing we weren’t able to increase the back-end, but, you know, we don’t spend what we don’t have.”
As a state agency, SDPB would be subject to any financial adjustments, including raises, impacting the Big Three.
This budget represents Rhoden’s first crack at a state budget. Proposal after serving six years as Lt. Governor.
