South Dakota GOP lawmakers want to wait to use COVID-19 funds

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Top South Dakota Republican lawmakers say they would rather wait until the legislative session in January to decide how to use the bulk of federal funds for addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Kristi Noem held a conference call with legislators to discuss how the state is using $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus aid. Republican legislative leaders say they hope Congress extends the deadline beyond the end of the year to allocate money. If that happens, they say there may not be a special session this fall. But House Majority Leader Lee Qualm says, “There’s still some things up in the air.”