SD governor wants to close SD School f/t Deaf as part of new budget proposal

[Jolie77]

PIERRE, S.D. (KTIV) - South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds wants to close the School for the Deaf and end financial support for the State Fair as part of a plan to balance the state budget next year.

He gave a revised budget to lawmakers Thursday. He withdrew his first one after it became apparent that state tax collections are falling faster than expected because of the recession.

Rounds proposes cutting $44-million in state spending in the next budget. Program changes would eliminate nearly 77 jobs in state government and there would be no pay raise for state workers. "So what we're trying to do is to continue with the programs that build our economy and that we can show clear proof they get us through these tough times," said Rounds.

Rounds proposes keeping a 3% boost in state aid to school districts next year.

KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports-Rounds' budget cuts will close state school for deaf

TRANSCRIPT OF LIVE NEWS PROGRAM, KTIV-TV, Pierre, South Dakota:


ANCHOR: South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds wants to close the School for the Deaf in the state and end financial support for the South Dakota State Fair as part of a plan to balance the state budget next year. He gave a revised budget to lawmakers today. He withdrew his first one after it became apparent that state tax collections are falling faster than expected because of the recession. Governor Rounds proposes cutting $44 million in state spending in the next budget. Program changes would eliminate nearly 77 jobs in state government and there would be no pay raise for state workers.

GOVERNOR MIKE ROUNDS: So what we're gonna try to do is to continue with the programs that actually build our economy and that we can show clear proof that are successful in helping us get by the tough times."

ANCHOR: Rounds proposes keeping a 3% boost in state aid to school districts next year, but he wants to cut extra state aid that has gone to "sparse school districts."