Legislators weigh in on what to do with $47.8 million surplus - KOTA Territory News

Legislators weigh in on what to do with $47.8 million surplus

The state of South Dakota has a little extra cash in its coffers following higher-than-expected revenues.

Now comes the task of figuring out what to do with it.
 
The state has $47.8 million more than expected this year.

Top democrats released a statement Monday accusing the governor's office of "hoarding our tax dollars in Pierre," instead of reinvesting the money into communities across the state.

Rapid City-based Republicans say that's not true, and they, too, want to give the surplus back to the people who provided it.
 
"I think we need to invest it in South Dakota into areas that the legislature as a whole determines that there is need," said Rep. Brian Gosch, R-32, "for example Medicaid, education."
 
"I'd like to see us give that money back to the folks," added Rep. Phil Jensen, R-33. "And I think how we could do that would be to rebate, as it were, $30 million that we are collecting."
 
That $30 million comes from the doubling of car registration fees.

Democrats argue for the same kinds of infrastructure spending, but say the administration has become "out of touch" with local communities.