The South Dakota legislature approved the budget bill as the last scheduled issue on their agenda.
The Senate went first, passing the bill on a twenty nine to six vote.
Senator Deb Peters, of Hartford, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, says they were able to overcome a number of obstacles….

Republican Senator Brock Greenfield of Clark says he was disappointed they could not do more for direct care health providers…

Democratic Senator Bernie Hunhoff of Yankton voted “no” on the budget…………

The bill then moved to the House.
During the discussion, democratic Representative Ray Ring of Vermillion says while the made progress in funding education, there is still more to go….

Democratic Representative Spence Hawley of Brookings says it was a historic session, for more than education…..

Republican Majority Leader Brian Gosch of Rapid City says they did the best they could with the money available….

The bill passed the House on a vote of fifty three to twelve.

Legislators will return for one final day on March 29th.