PIERRE, S.D.(KMIT & WNAX)- After starting the final week of the legislative session far apart, the South Dakota House and Senate came together and passed a budget on Thursday. The negotiating process included adding House Bill 1281, which changes the way some spending decisions are made. District 20 Senator Josh Klumb says HB 1281, which was strongly opposed by Governor Noem, was essential in passing the budget.
Klumb says he believes House Bill 1281 will be vetoed by the governor.
Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says it took a long time to get there.
Hunhoff, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Appropriations, says there were differences of opinion between the Senate and House over policy and spending.
Hunhoff says the Governor was also involved in the final budget work.
Hunhoff says the Governor can make line-item vetoes to the spending bills.
Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says deadlines help.
Stevens says they made some adjustments to make sure all state employees were covered by the six percent raise.
Stevens says with over five hundred seventy bills introduced, they had a full slate from start to finish.
Representative Ryan Cwach of Yankton says despite all the noise about the budget, they were able to find a compromise.
Cwach says there is good and bad in any budget.
Cwach says it was important to hold onto the six percent increase for workers and schools.
The final day or days of the session will start on March 28th.