(Pierre, SD) — Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen is urging lawmakers to approve a new men’s prison in Sioux Falls. In an unusual move, Governor Rhoden handed over his weekly column to Venhuizen at the end of last week to make his case. Venhuizen, who chaired the Project Prison Reset task force, emphasized that the 650-million-dollar capped facility is a necessary compromise and warns that delays will only increase costs. Governor Rhoden plans to call a special legislative session on September 23 to vote on the plan, stressing that South Dakota can fund the project without new taxes or debt and must act now for public safety and fiscal responsibility.
