Despite the prospect of a tight ongoing state budget, South Dakota is in a good financial situation.
Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton says the budget is balanced, the state has a triple A bond rating, and the retirement system is fully funded…..

Stevens says there have been deliberate steps taken by Governor Dennis Daugaard and his administration…..

Stevens says the triple A bond rating has helped local governments and schools across the state……

Stevens says for example, the bond rating helped save about seven million dollars in financing costs for construction of the new animal diagnostic lab at SDSU.