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the House and Senate can pass the spending measure by March 8, the end of the main run of this year's legislative session.
• Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proposed a $4.1 billion budget, with $1.3 billion of that to come from general state tax funds.
• South Dakota lawmakers hope President Obama and Congress work out some kind of federal budget deal before the state budget is passed because federal cuts will likely affect the economy and reduce the amount of federal money available for spending by the state.
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• SPENDING DECISIONS
• As the Legislature puts together the next state budget, lawmakers face some decisions that have been delayed until they have a better idea of how much money they have to spend.
• Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proposed that state aid to school districts be increased next year by 3 percent to cover inflation, but many legislators want to use any available money to give schools more money for operating costs.
• And some lawmakers, particularly members of the Democratic minority, hope to amend the budget bill to allow the expansion of Medicaid so thousands more low-income people can be covered by the government health insurance program. Republicans and Democrats also have been talking about using some money to start scholarship programs.
• One proposal would award scholarships based on financial need as South Dakota is the only state in the nation without such a program. Another would give scholarships to college students who agree to teach in math, science or other critical fields after they graduate.
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• FIGHT COMMISSION
• The House Commerce and Energy Committee is scheduled to have a hearing Monday on a bill that would create a state commission to supervise boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts competitions.
• Supporters argue the commission is needed to protect the safety of athletes who take part in boxing and mixed martial arts, but Gov. Dennis Daugaard has made it clear he opposes the bill as long as it legitimizes mixed martial arts fights, which he says are so violent they don't deserve to be called sport.
• Despite the governor's comments, the Senate voted 29-6 to pass the measure and send it to the House.
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