The state’s new economic development bill is on its way to the governor’s desk. The House and Senate approved Senate Bill 235 after a conference committee hashed out concerns. Both parties are calling the plan a bipartisan effort that has been in the works for a few months. It promotes big project incentives, as well as local development and funding for English language learning and technical programs in secondary education. As the regular legislative session comes to an end Friday, Governor Dennis Daugaard says he plans to sign the bill into law.
“I was involved with the legislative leadership in the last week about the bill. I had some concerns about the funding that were resolved by some of the amendments. Now I’m very satisfied with the bill and I do plan to sign it,” Daugaard says.
Daugaard says he supports the $7 million from this fiscal year in one-time money appropriated to start the program in the bill. He says the money is in the budget and legislators aren’t spending money that’s not there.