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South Dakota Legislature Passes Transportation Funding Hikes

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Legislature has passed a proposal to hike road and bridge funding, a plan that would immediately raise the state’s fuel taxes by 6 cents per gallon.

The House voted 55-11 to approve the bill immediately after it passed the Senate on Friday afternoon. The scope of the fuel tax hike had been the main sticking point in negotiations but lawmakers from both chambers finalized a deal Friday morning.

The bill raises tens of millions of dollars in road and bridge funding through increases in fuel taxes, fees and other assessments.

Transportation funding has arguably been the most hotly debated issue lawmakers considered during this session.

Nathan Sanderson in Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s office said Friday morning the governor would sign the bill if it passed both chambers.