BIG STONE CITY, S.D. (WNAX) – The Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature met Thursday to get an update on the use and availability of federal funds.

Committee Co-chair, Senator John Wiik of Big Stone City, says they have had some time to review the funding and spending.

Wiik says the guidance attached to the money gave Governors a lot of authority to spend the dollars.

The state got just over $1.2 billion from the federal government.

Wiik says he agrees with the Governor’s proposal to help small businesses.

Governor Kristi Noem announced a plan to use up to $400 million to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic.