(Pierre, SD) — South Dakota state agencies are at a loss of 23 million dollars in federal funding. That’s mostly from COVID relief, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Finance Management. The cuts affect the Departments of Health, Social Services, Education, and Corrections. Some programs will continue at reduced levels, like crisis care and support for first-time moms. But others, including the Nexus South Dakota health resource website, will shut down. Lawmakers say they can’t restore all the cuts and must decide which programs to prioritize during a special session set for July 22nd. Agencies may need to find alternative funding or rely on state money to keep key services running.
