• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota lawmakers have a lot to tackle in Pierre this week as they head into the final week of the annual legislative session.
• Legislators are expected to vote on measures meant to spur economic development and allow schools to arm teachers. But first, the Joint Appropriations Committee will decide Monday how much revenue to expect for the rest of the current budget year and the new budget year that starts July 1.
• The committee, which includes both House and Senate members, will meet later in the week to finish the spending plan so it can move on to the full Legislature and get passed by Friday.
• Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proposed a $4.1 billion state budget, with $1.3 billion of that to come from general state tax funds.
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• MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Department of Agriculture is hosting three forums this week focusing on the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
• The sessions titled "The Next Generation of Livestock Production" are scheduled for Monday evening in Mitchell, Tuesday in Yankton and Wednesday in Worthing.
• Farmers and ranchers are invited to talk about the opportunities and challenges in livestock production and the impact of agriculture to rural communities and statewide revenues and infrastructure.
• Eight other locations will host forums through March 21.
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