3/10/08-A provision to ensure funding for the South Dakota Highway Patrol was stripped from a Senate bill.
Sponsored by Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls, SB172 sought to reverse Gov. Mike Rounds’ proposal to cut $2 million next year from the patrol’s budget.
The bill called for replacing the $2 million cut from the patrol’s budget with money from the state’s general fund. The fund contains revenue from general state tax collections.
The Senate approved the funding protection but it was whittled down to $1 in the House. Efforts failed in a conference committee to authorize between $242,000 and $2 million for the patrol during the next fiscal year.  All 12 amendments offered were turned down by the select group of lawmakers from both chambers.

2/19/08-The Senate voted 31-2 to approve a bill to ensure funding for the South Dakota Highway Patrol. It now moves to the House.
Sponsored by Sen. Gene Abdallah, R-Sioux Falls, SB172 would reverse Gov. Mike Rounds’ proposal to cut $2 million next year from the patrol’s budget.
The bill would replace the $2 million cut from the patrol’s budget with money from the state’s general fund. The fund contains revenue from general state tax collections.
The measure is in the House Appropriations Committee.
For bill status, call (605) 773-3251.