PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – This week, Governor Kristi Noem signed final appropriations bills for FY2020.

“When I took office in January, I promised South Dakota that my administration would remain rooted in fiscal integrity,” said Noem. “This week, I signed budget legislation that is balanced, addresses critical needs, and invests in the next generation. This budget does not spend money we don’t have, and it doesn’t increase taxes.”

“In South Dakota, our system of budgeting works,” said Liza Clark, South Dakota’s Chief Financial Officer. “The three branches of government work together to prioritize our citizens while responsibly using the resources available to us. South Dakota is on the right track, and this budget positions us well for the future. We should be proud of our hard work.”

The final appropriations bills Noem signed this week include:

• 10% inflation for nursing homes. This equates to nearly $18.1 million in total ongoing funds for nursing homes.
• 6.5% inflation for community support providers (CSPs). This equates to over $9.0 million in total ongoing funds for the CSPs.
• Other community-based providers will get 3-4%. Non-community-based providers will get an average of 1.5%.
• A 2.5% increase to the target teacher salary for K-12 general education and special education.
• 2.5% for technical institutes.
• 2.5% increase in salaries for our state employee workforce, plus funding to structurally balance the state’s health plan.
• Funding to confront the meth epidemic, including: education, enforcement, and treatment.
• Match funding for Statewide 211.

“After months of committee meetings with state agencies, meeting directly with agency staff to dive deep into the budget details, and a thorough review of our available revenues, we created a balanced budget. Our state constitution requires a budget that is balanced, and SB191 accomplishes this for the 130th consecutive year,” Noem concluded.