|
(Continued from page 23)
• Republicans are insisting on spending cuts in exchange for raising the current $16.4 trillion debt ceiling.
• South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune said now is the time to reduce spending, which he said would protect programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
• "The president's insistence on raising the debt limit without putting the country on a more sustainable fiscal path is irresponsible and will risk a credit downgrade," Thune said in a statement.
• Meanwhile, Johnson said he has not made a decision about whether he will seek re-election in 2014 and will not make one until the spring.
• "We need to see if I feel like I can still do a good job. I have been elected and re-elected for 36 years without defeat and for me, that's a question of is that enough or should I go on?" he said.
• Former Republican Gov. Mike Rounds announced in November that he will seek Johnson's seat in 2014.
Official: Criminal system changes could save $162M
CHET BROKAW,Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota could save an estimated $162 million in the next decade if it adopts a plan to improve the rehabilitation of convicted criminals by treating more nonviolent offenders outside prison walls, a state official told lawmakers Tuesday.
• If nothing is done to stem a rapid increase in the number of adult inmates, the state could spend an additional $212 million to build and operate two new prisons in the next 10 years, said Jim Seward, Gov. Dennis Daugaard's legal counsel.
• Using intensive probation and parole along with special courts for drug and alcohol offenders would cost an estimated $51 million over 10 years -- nearly $162 million less than the cost of building and running two new prisons over the same time period, Seward said.
• A panel appointed by Daugaard, Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson and legislative leaders recommended the proposed changes in South Dakota's criminal justice system. The proposal was the centerpiece of Daugaard's State of the State address to the Legislature last week, and Gilbertson talked about the importance of drug and alcohol courts when he delivered his State of the Judiciary speech.
(Continued on page 25)
|
|
