This week, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard proposed a $ 50 million plan for fixing the state’s infrastructure problems. It involves several components including raising the gas tax annually. South Dakota Farm Bureau lobbyist Mike Held says his group likes the direction the Governor is going that they’re hoping improves the state’s farm to market roads and bridges.
Held says his group has one concern with the Governor’s proposal and that lies with the funding numbers being used.
Held says the most pressing need is for funding upkeep and repair of township and county roads and bridges.
While the Governor has proposed a $ 50 million transportation plan, the legislative summer study committee recommended spending over $ 100,000. Held says he’s interested to see what the Governor’s plan looks like once its in the form a bill.