PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – After getting a two and a half percent raise this year, state employees in South Dakota are facing a wage freeze next year due to lower than expected growth in sales taxes.

Eric Olilla, Executive Director of the South Dakota State Employees Organization, says that pattern shows the importance of legislators taking a longer look at state worker pay and benefits.

Olilla says legislators have not wanted to study the issue in the past.

Olilla says it will be a priority for them in the 2020 session.

Sales tax trends have improved since Governor Kristi Noem gave her budget address in early December.