Haugaard: Legislators begin work to balance SD budget

This past week was the beginning of the annual discussion about the state’s budget. Governor Noem identified those things which will be her priorities for the upcoming Session. Several items were identified as opportunities to use CARES dollars to expand infrastructure within South Dakota, including broadband and processing plants. Items like that have been points of contention in previous years.  

For example, the Governor has previously sought $5 million for broadband expansion and there was opposition to that based upon the fact that it is private industry that profits. Historically, service providers have been responsible for their own infrastructure, such as telephone lines, water lines, electric lines and gas lines. Now, with federal money available, the Governor’s proposal was for an allocation of $100 million to be made available to private industry, which will certainly enhance their profits.   

Unfortunately, the Budget Address did not include much of a discussion about the adverse business impact of our state directed shutdown. Many businesses are still suffering those effects, and many have closed their doors. Thankfully, there appears to be an extension of available business grants for any who qualify and who are still trying to survive. The ongoing business grants were the result of the Special Session. Sadly, there appears to have been limited interest in those grants, in part, due to the fact that they came so very late in the year. Many businesses reached a point of no return and there continues to be restrictions in the way in which they are encouraged to conduct their daily activities.  

It’s important to bear in mind the fact that the Governor’s Budget Address is a “proposed budget”, but the entire budget will now be considered by the Legislature. That is one of the major the roles of your elected representatives. We have tried to get a handle on spending of the past years, and we will scrutinize this budget as well. As we proceed, we will do so realizing that the federal dollars are merely federal debt. It has been a difficult thing to accept that we are supplementing private business, but that need was caused by state and national limits upon business. So, shifting those federal dollars to private businesses is not how we should expect to move ahead in the coming years. And, especially taking advantage of federal dollars to pay for a private service provider’s infrastructure (broadband companies) is not how we should operate.

The following is a statement taken directly from the Governor’s press release from this past week. It says: “Applications for the additional grant will be accepted starting Dec. 14 through Dec. 20. Additional information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, is available at https://covid.sd.gov/smallbusiness-healthcare-grants.aspx.”

This is the last effort for this year to try to save some businesses that have suffered from the state’s shutdown. If you wonder whether you qualify, please review the information on the website indicated above.  

I will serve on the Appropriations Committee this year and that Committee is among the first to have updated data as to revenue and the CARES funds distribution. As I have said before, we will try to hold the line as to any new spending and ensure that the citizens come first. Our goal will be to ensure that we do not overspend with “onetime money” (the CARES Act funds) or underspend on those things that are the state’s obligation.

It now appears that the vaccine will be available in South Dakota this week. As expected, it will take many weeks for it to become effective, but it should give comfort and immunity to those who are regularly exposed and those in nursing homes who are experiencing separation from loved ones.   

Please let me or our other District legislators know your thoughts and concerns on upcoming legislation. Go to www.sdlegislature.gov for a listing of upcoming meetings, archives and other information.