SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - South Dakota legislators have five days left to craft and pass a state budget that between this fiscal year and the next is $53 million short.
Representative Jean Hunhoff of Yankton, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, says lawmakers will pour over agency budgets again.
Hunhoff says new programs will probably be off the table and then legislators will take a harder look at general funds.
Hunhoff says big agencies, including Human Services, Social Services and the Board of Regents, will probably face the stiffest cuts.
She says the programs of those departments are very important and says they're trying to do the best that they can to meet the needs of the residents they serve. Department heads are telling lawmakers that their agencies are operating at bare bones now. Hunhoff says reductions must be found and unfortunately those big programs have to provide the most.
She says legislators will have time to review the final proposed budget. She says they'll go to their caucuses, show what the proposed cuts are and then get a general bill ready that will be presented to both chambers.
Legislators return March 27th to for one day to consider any vetoes from the Governor.