Noem wants $106M more for men's prison, 'school choice' for low-income families, public broadcasting funding cut

South Dakota governor calls for belt-tightening in budget address ahead of South Dakota's 100th Legislative Session

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly quoted Gov. Noem regarding a budget reduction for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The Dakota Scout strives for fairness and accuracy and regrets the error. Please bring corrections to the attention of editor@thedakotascout.com.

If Kristi Noem’s days as South Dakota governor are numbered, she’s going out swinging.

The second-term Republican delivered what’s expected to be her final budget address to state lawmakers Tuesday, warning of a lean year for tax revenues while calling for the creation of a school voucher program, a major reduction in public funding for state-supported media, and the final piece of funding for a new men’s prison.

“Every dollar that we invest, every policy that we support – every vote that you take in these legislative chambers – should be focused on our people, on making them safer, stronger, and freer,” the 53-year-old Castlewood native told a packed House chamber of returning and incoming legislators, lobbyists, state employees, and constituents.

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