South Dakota Gov. Noem Signs Controversial Budget Bills into Law

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed a $7.4 billion state budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which includes a 7% funding increase for education and state employees, a 5% funding increase for hospitals, and full reimbursement for nursing homes and some Medicaid community service providers. The budget also accounts for future Medicaid expansion costs, helps National Guard members pay college tuition, and freezes tuition at public universities and technical colleges. Noem expressed disagreements with lawmakers over certain items in the budget but did not veto the plan to lower sales taxes from 4.5% to 4.2% until 2027.