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Legislators press pause, await governors prison plan amid funding dispute
Summary
Lawmakers on both sides said a new state prison is needed but disagreed on the plan, site and financing; leaders said they would review the governors announcement before committing funds.
Lawmakers said a new state penitentiary is necessary but disagreed about the plan, site and how to pay for it as they awaited an announcement from Governor Roden.
The split came into focus after a vote this week to withhold money for the previously proposed project. "I hate the fact that that we're having to do this," a Republican press-conference speaker said. "I think it's gonna cost the taxpayers probably upwards of $50,000,000 to start over again." Several other legislators said the existing plan, developed under the prior administration, lacked the transparency they wanted and deserved a pause for additional legislative input.
Why it matters: Lawmakers across parties said South Dakota's penitentiary, built in 1881, needs…
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