PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- South Dakota lawmakers are are heading into a bit of a perfect storm in just over three weeks.

Federal money is drying up, sales tax revenues are down, and a lot of new faces will be looking for answers in a tight budget year.

Like all state departments, the Board of Regents will have to get by on a smaller budget.

Executive Director Nathan Lukkes (LU-cuhs) says none of that is a surprise, and the Board of Regents is ready to do its part.

Lukkes says state colleges and universities are in a strong position after five years of freezing tuition rates, giving South Dakota schools the lowest competitive price point in the region.

A tighter budget this year is threatening a string of five straight years of freezing tuition rates at South Dakota colleges and universities.

Federal Covid relief funds are running out…and state sales tax revenues are running low.

Still, Lukkes says the system is in a strong position.

Even if tuition rates can’t be frozen again this year, Lukkes says Regents will work to maintain the system’s cost competitiveness, while delivering a quality education to students.

Governor Kristi Noem has proposed over 72-million dollars worth of budget cuts for the next fiscal year to maintain a balanced budget.

Lukkes says State colleges and universities are facing cuts as part of that process…including cuts to maintenance and repair.

Lukkes says regents officials plan to stay at the table and work with the governor’s office and legislators throughout the legislative session to work through the budgeting process.