State House decides to retain automatic employer fees for governor-controlled economic fund

By: Joshua Haiar

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: February 24, 2026

Words: 452

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

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PIERRE — A proposal to change how the state collects the fee used to finance South Dakota’s governor-controlled economic development fund failed on a 31-36 vote Monday in the state House of Representatives.

The Future Fund was created in 1987 at the request of then-Gov. George Mickelson. It was placed under the governor’s exclusive control, enabling quick responses when economic opportunities arise. Republican former Gov. Kristi Noem incited bipartisan backlash with her …

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