PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The Joint Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature has been holding agency hearings as the first step in putting together next year’s spending plan.

Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls says the committee has set up sub-groups.

Nesiba says the needs-based scholarship proposal will get attention, too. The plan has a goal of $200 million to fund ongoing scholarships. Nesiba says that still isn’t enough.

Nesiba says the state has to fill a big gap.

Nesiba says the committee will have to juggle numerous demands for one time and ongoing money.