Gov. Dennis Daugaard signs $4.3 billion state budget plan

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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed 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.

Daugaard signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Thursday. The Legislature voted last week to pass the measure, which includes roughly $1.4 billion in general state spending, as the main run of this year's legislative session came to an end.

Republicans have praised modest spending hikes in essential areas despite less revenue than expected when the governor outlined his budget in December. Daugaard says the budget is fiscally sound while also funding key spending increases.

Democrats have said they would've liked to see more for education funding and a greater emphasis on higher education affordability.