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AARP AARP States South Dakota Advocacy

South Dakota 2020 Legislative Session: Week One Update

SD State House.jpeg

The 2020 South Dakota legislative session is off and running and AARP SD is already in Pierre - busy working on your behalf!

At the end of 2019, Governor Noem presented her annual budget address, which included her plans and priorities for the coming year.

  • The budget proposes $450,000 for elderly tax refunds as a special appropriation, as it has been in past years. AARP SD supports this refund because it helps low income South Dakotans afford the necessities while remaining in their homes and communities.
  • In 2019, South Dakota’s investment in high speed internet brought internet access to 4,800 households and more than 100 businesses in underserved parts of South Dakota. Governor Noem’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 allocates $5 million to continue expanding internet access throughout the state. Last week AARP South Dakota released the results of our Broadband survey and look forward to continuing to work with Governor Noem on this important issue.
  • Finally, Governor Noem’s budget did not include any funding increases for health care providers, teachers and state employees.

As always, to kick off the legislative session the Governor gave the State of the State address on Tuesday.

  • Since the budget address, state revenue has been higher than projected and Governor Noem indicated that there may be an opportunity to provide on-going funding for health care providers, teachers and state employees.
  • Governor Noem also noted that tourism, agriculture and cyber security are the pillars for future economic growth in the state.

As we move forward with the 2020 legislative session, here are some of the issues/bills AARP South Dakota will be working on:

  • Broadband (high speed internet)
  • Healthcare access
  • Uniform Power of Attorney Act
  • Healthcare funding

Keep reading every week to learn more about these and many other issues that could affect you, your families and communities in 2020 and beyond.