Governor Asks SD State Agencies To Consider Cuts

PIERRE, SD - Gov. Mike Rounds has asked state agencies in South Dakota to consider requesting budgets for next year that are 10 percent below the amount they are authorized to spend this year. 

Jason Dilges, the governor's budget director, says the agencies have not been asked to propose across-the-board cuts.  He says all state departments have been asked to look for programs they could streamline or do away with while still providing the services needed by South Dakota citizens.

Dilges says state tax collections are not growing much so far this year and South Dakota will lose a lot of federal stimulus funds during the budget year that begins next July. Rounds will consider the agencies' suggested cuts when he proposes a budget in December.