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South Dakota Lawmakers Finalize $4.3 Billion State Budget

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Legislature has passed a $4.3 billion budget that gives extra state funding increases to education, state employees and health care providers despite having less money available to spend than previously expected.

The House voted 55-9 to approve the budget put together earlier in the day by the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee. The Senate followed with a 30-2 vote to pass the budget as the main run of this year’s legislative session came to an end.

Republicans praised modest spending hikes in essential areas despite less revenue than expected. Senate Majority Leader Tim Rave said the budget makes incremental improvements even if it doesn’t solve all problems.

Democrats said they would’ve liked to see more increases in education funding and a greater emphasis on higher education affordability.