By Todd Epp, South Dakota Broadcasters Association
PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — Despite the anticipated budget of $130 million for constructing a new men’s prison in Lincoln County, its financial repercussions are reverberating across the state.
While acknowledging the commendable community work, members of the House Local Government Committee today (Jan. 25, 2024) expressed reservations about diverting funds to assist Whitewood and Lead in the northern Black Hills with their new community centers.
The committee opted to shelve HB1102, a request for $6 million for the Whitewood community center, with a vote of 11 to 1, sending it to the 41st day. Similarly, HB1103, seeking $10 million for the Lead community center, faced the same fate with a 9 to 4 vote against it.
Duncan Koch from the Bureau of Finance and Management argued against funding specific community centers, citing the need to save for the new prison and the potential establishment of a risky precedent.
Republican Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, the sponsor of the bills, challenged this stance, questioning whether small communities held the same importance as larger ones.
Koch reiterated the importance of saving for the men’s prison, emphasizing that each state-funded project should be weighed against the necessity to set aside at least $130 million for the prison. He highlighted potential savings of $4.1 million in interest and fees for every $6 million not bonded for community centers.
In response, Whitewood proponent Marvin Mutchler argued that investing in numerous community centers might obviate the need for constructing expensive prisons.
Residents of Whitewood and Lead stressed the need for community centers, particularly for working parents facing daycare challenges and latchkey kids in need of after-school programs.
Lead, still recovering from the departure of Homestake Mining Company in 2001, emphasized the dire need to reconstruct its community center. Proponents argued that investing in community centers, such as HB1103, was crucial for workforce development through childcare opportunities.
While sympathetic to the community center proponents, legislators expressed concerns about setting a precedent for funding such projects. Republican Rep. Marty Overweg emphasized financial constraints, stating fears that funding community centers might lead to requests from every community in South Dakota.
Committing bills to the 41st legislative day is how committees kill bills at the Capitol.
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