Legislators press pause, await governors prison plan amid funding dispute

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 replacement or major upgrades. But disagreement over the project's details and the process for choosing a site have delayed moving forward. That delay affects budgeting this year and creates uncertainty for any communities under consideration as a host site.

Lawmakerspositions and context Senate Minority Leader Liz Larson (District 10) said Democrats support building a new facility focused on rehabilitation, job training, education and expanded substance-abuse and mental-health services, but emphasized the need for legislative input on site selection and the plan: "We don't know about the location until we are able to, I think, get together and maybe try to make a decision altogether." Representative Erin Healy (House minority leader, District 10) also underscored rehabilitation priorities and described the process as likely multi-year.

Several House Republican leaders said they trust Governor Roden but acknowledged frustration over past transparency. One Republican leader said the legislature and governor were working to "separate the past from the future" and reach "constructive spending priorities." Others urged patience until the governor's press conference, saying they would evaluate his plan before taking further action.

Budget and timing Lawmakers noted the governor's $7.29 billion budget and said appropriators are narrowing numbers as the session progresses. Multiple speakers said the prison question will factor into final budget decisions, and that restarting a planning process could add tens of millions in additional costs.

Discussion vs. decision At the press conference lawmakers described the current stance as a pause for further legislative review rather than a final rejection of a new prison. No formal new appropriation or site selection occurred during the session covered by the transcript. Several legislators repeatedly distinguished discussion-only remarks from any formal action, and said they would comment on specifics after the governor's announcement.

Ending Legislative leaders across the aisle said they will review the governor's plan when it is released and continue talks to find a path forward that combines rehabilitation priorities with fiscal oversight.