PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) – Governor Kristi Noem is highly critical of Congress for, so far, refusing to allow states to use COVID-19 relief money to cover revenue losses.

She says that’s not the conservative approach. Noem warns of widespread cuts if South Dakota doesn’t get federal help to make up for dramatic drops in sales taxes and other revenue due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.

Some critics of the approach favored by Noem say it amounts to a “bailout.” 

Congress and the Trump Administration have approved trillions in COVID-19 relief for individuals, small businesses, hospitals, and the like, but no direct relief for state budgets struggling with dramatic drops in revenue.