[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6371347,"mediaKeyId","2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0","parentId",2150070,"title","Lawmakers debate education savings accounts and school choice amid large projected cost","audioSeconds",407,"startMs",870000,"endMs",1277000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0&start=870&end=1277","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0/thumbnail_870000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371347/South-Dakota/Lawmakers-debate-education-savings-accounts-and-school-choice-amid-large-projected-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371347-e7a106c910f85a64f6f829f569cc74ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159113&Signature=UxNNiHwfyslyDXBspmlap37B3Hn8xY1o-fm6wxKLG42cpkLbTdz0lSCjZRIKCaLgCA~fqP2A8TWG8Rx~pQ~-9WUU0EFcfT5lUt-nr48FyK707xOZ8gjeO1-YNmBD~oaqoU5Wjnljd3cRm6XyxGKlom88xrGrt2dCAX5l5bmHTwAf671eyrsylmTP8kOMxCamZQIdhdT2SkejIRaZue9KlnhQmzV8ojXqzZM4wemG4p2KhB74jR~L5Tqk30kZQCKPSbCBBoadFczpZHXtznIlmoRV7DYQ1ISA8q8rVivr-Nm1oa7-kZjoW9ajksW~uB3qvTAplBb7vG6oZdyxRJP6jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of South Dakota","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","Rep. Scott Odenbach, House majority leader, said Republicans are pressing proposals this session to create education savings accounts (ESAs) and other school‑choice measures and that one vehicle, HB 1020, would tie an ESA to the state per‑student funding amount. “We\u0000are talking about a $150,000,000 annual impact from that bill,” Odenbach said, and he described provisions he said would include guardrails and either the Department of Education or a third‑party vendor administering roughly $3,000 per participating student.

Why it matters: Lawmakers framed the measures as both an expansion of parental choice and a possible long‑term tool to restrain property‑tax growth tied to school spending. Opponents from the Democratic caucus said the proposals would siphon money from public schools, harm extracurricular programs and rural districts, and lack adequate academic and financial accountability.

Odenbach said HB 1020 differs from another ESA bill that the House education committee deferred for a week pending a fiscal note; he said his bill was developed with the governor's office and the Department of Education to add accountability measures. He described the governor's budget request for an initial ESA appropriation as $4,000,000 and said sponsors expect the program would prioritize students if funding is limited.

Democratic caucus leader Rep. Erin Healy said her members oppose voucher and ESA proposals because they reduce money available to the general fund and public schools. \"If you take money away from the general fund, you are taking money away from public education,\" Healy said, adding Democrats fear repeated requests to increase ESA funding over time.

Both sides said the committee process will be central to shaping any final proposal: one ESA bill previously faced a 9‑5 committee tally to defer pending fiscal review. Lawmakers also noted differences among bills: some would create an ESA debit card for parents, while others would route funds through the Department of Education to add oversight.

Background and details: Sponsors said guardrails would include ties to the per‑student equivalent and reporting requirements; opponents pointed to gaps in academic accountability and the potential for gradual increases in program cost once established. Proponents argued ESAs could make private or micro‑schools accessible to lower‑income families who otherwise could not afford them.

What comes next: Multiple ESA and voucher bills were filed; lawmakers said the measures will move through education and appropriations committees this spring. Fiscal notes and committee hearings were cited repeatedly as decisive next steps.

Votes at a glance: No formal floor votes on these bills were recorded in the press sessions covered by the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 Legislative Leadership Press Conferences L.D. 7","oneSentenceSummary","Rep. Scott Odenbach, House majority leader, said Republicans are pursuing education savings accounts this session and estimated one proposal could cost about $150 million a year, while Democrats warned the measures would divert funds from public schools and extracurricular programs.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative SD, South Dakota","taxId",77845,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371326,"Legislature readies procedural steps as Lt. Gov. Roden prepares to assume governorship, leaders say",1309,521000,1830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0&start=521&end=1830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6371326/South-Dakota/Legislature-readies-procedural-steps-as-Lt-Gov-Roden-prepares-to-assume-governorship-leaders-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371326-dfa8298135a78adc62fc530aa83c149a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159113&Signature=Cup5nEYBNuTn9vSYCaeRiIDN6iu9g8f39DrvRPziDjpgKP29YMYI~dqIIhclpHawfqhPs0D0vw9cokZT619kTp8ewGZ1re7D4GWSfILW5RMRQcCFVQ3I6u1F0FM7ePPIYQzKMa5OeVfc-Z3IQ4r~cO-eFXfghtmQWFMqlyEPhjW2LwVxawJajwV4xbUbgNw1T-Jz0v55YjTXjXVtyJ2e8pMMVtk1NksHXQWxMnWZFa8v36PA6MMoFZOOFRh6qx2zTkuEwoqCpX0FL9CAozNJ~cdKEw0y44cc7cwWjet5N8WG~NZSzqtN52Xo~4zzQoz6bOdn3pbkJh78xGtl-U6TgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Republican leaders said they have met with Lieutenant Governor Larry Roden in recent days and expect a smooth transition if he is sworn in as governor. \"He's shown deep roots in the legislative branch and he loves this process,\" a Republican leader said, adding that they expect a higher level of engagement by the new governor and that leadership has coordinated to ensure continuity.

Both parties called the possible transition historic and said legislative procedures — including any necessary Senate confirmation and timing questions — will determine exact next steps. Democratic leaders echoed the desire for a smooth process and said the legislature's work will continue regardless of the change in office.

Next steps: Leaders said the timing depends on the full Senate's actions and that they will follow the constitutionally prescribed votes and procedural steps. No formal confirmation votes were recorded in the press sessions captured in the transcript.","Republican and Democratic leaders said they are coordinating to ensure a smooth transition if and when Lieutenant Governor Larry Roden becomes governor; leaders described meetings with Roden and said the legislature will follow required confirmation and timing procedures.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371331,"Democrats warn that new resolutions could undermine Medicaid expansion and voter-initiated amendments",231,2586000,2817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0&start=2586&end=2817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0/thumbnail_2586000.jpg","/articles/6371331/South-Dakota/Democrats-warn-that-new-resolutions-could-undermine-Medicaid-expansion-and-voter-initiated-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371331-47e2c49b5dbcdfa0722f1f5919397673/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159113&Signature=FvJcxGq-NmjaovM4sOTxp3yMrNKqn3ircctz7JmiDJPIvPh3vEKFSwluVhOg1Hdf24UEX7RQGjxlISCDZr7wb1g1ra8Lk9ulLbuYveHeUwkekIhwDPO9AaBRfJr3eAcYluHeu10VvEqj2pXpoe1hvyx7j~V4AzHftNgR1-F1nlegpNIS9OaGp0kf9e0jW5dRd1nrt9lU88ttOa2Zk-o7Zl823G2GtvK4lN7jl8PDzhHgYTA1kK4yTho4qexRw8Whl7l49OrpHL1Si7XYInkxjPMX35nx9u5JzUByr-TXnPjokQf9kRQZUS5ZRSsCDeH7lbfRof0SD3ul8-dnXgvCQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State House Democratic leader Rep. Erin Healy criticized multiple Republican‑sponsored resolutions that she said would undermine voter‑approved Medicaid expansion and make it harder for citizens to use ballot initiatives.

Healy named House Joint Resolution 5000 and HJ5001 as measures that, in her view, would imperil Medicaid expansion by putting the matter back on the ballot and by giving the legislature authority to withdraw from federal assistance if a federal match drops below 90 percent. She told reporters the resolutions ‘‘disregard the will of the people’’ and create uncertainty for residents who rely on Medicaid.

She also called out House Joint Resolution 5003 as a proposal that would raise barriers to citizen constitutional amendments, saying proponents argued outside money motivated the change but that the resolution would instead restrict grassroots political participation.

Democrats framed the resolutions as attempts to roll back progress: Healy said voters enacted Medicaid expansion because the legislature previously failed to act, and she argued the resolutions would erode public trust in the legislature. Republican leaders in the press session defended legislative prerogatives but the transcript contains no formal floor action recorded at these press events.

Next steps: The resolutions will proceed through the legislative process; Democrats said they will oppose measures they view as undermining voter decisions and will emphasize protecting Medicaid beneficiaries.","Rep. Erin Healy and the Democratic caucus criticized several House joint resolutions (HJ5000, HJ5001, HJ5003) that they say would place new restrictions on constitutional amendments and allow the legislature to withdraw from federal assistance under certain conditions; Democrats called the measures unnecessary and a threat to voter decisions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371336,"Design work underway for proposed Lincoln County prison as lawmakers debate financing and necessity",2382,1320000,3702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0&start=1320&end=3702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0/thumbnail_1320000.jpg","/articles/6371336/South-Dakota/Design-work-underway-for-proposed-Lincoln-County-prison-as-lawmakers-debate-financing-and-necessity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371336-44717ec060f37678edeb71c8c2eb3047/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159113&Signature=lmQuwJ7LzVQIRIJHuudvAykx-Wjjgt91J3Bxs5s4J0BzzC5t-MwVGYuj6m6v6Lk9MyqtBb9fo7V80vG90lTVWZiCfQC7itCjSZvtxmhN8Q0zJnNaTNyzu8fanxV1~6FOi2ofKmPJdPcehJYaTDy-yYEa76~D6Rzt3M6Ut62yYpme1ivxO0OxB21P7S5BPWFVJxAqm5ol18pt~qWB6qrgWtnnxQt6TfCKdNl3~f0mySuAoM9qZCdfdI4VB6I-uPvtxumCKVDDYnkA3mnKKtKY9QoeiWFn34QiiwJZ~BfRg8NZrosoFd5wjLu77L1BR-sk11yHkTzvr03dbf7U~-Ddhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Republican leadership said design work is complete for a proposed new state prison in Lincoln County and that site preparation has begun. A Republican speaker told reporters that equipment was moved onto the site to clear trees and buildings and that the site includes about 160 acres being prepared for construction.

At the same time Democratic caucus members who have toured the current South Dakota State Penitentiary described the existing facility as outdated and unsafe for both incarcerated people and staff and said modern programming (substance‑use treatment, reentry services, education) requires a new building. One Democratic lawmaker who volunteers at the penitentiary described it as “not fit for human habitation” and said a new facility would better support treatment and rehabilitation.

Lawmakers disagreed on timing and financing. A Republican leader said derailing the project now would increase costs because design work and site preparation are already underway. Some Democrats and other lawmakers expressed concern about the financing plan, saying the state's approach — saving a large sum before spending — effectively concentrates the cost in a narrow period and advocated exploring financing alternatives to spread the burden.

Details discussed: Speakers referenced prior appropriations: \"the legislature has passed six funding bills since 2022,\" and noted that utilities and site suitability were factors in choosing the Lincoln County location. Capacity numbers were discussed but not uniformly agreed upon in the press remarks; one speaker said they could not confirm whether a 1,500‑bed figure was appropriate.

Next steps: Lawmakers said appropriations and committee hearings on corrections funding will continue; several said achieving the necessary legislative support remains uncertain and may depend on how appropriation language and financing are structured.","Republican leadership said site preparation and equipment movement have begun on a planned state prison in Lincoln County; Democrats described the existing penitentiary as unfit and said a modern facility is needed for safety and rehabilitation, while some lawmakers questioned the financing approach.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371342,"Lawmakers push age‑verification bill to restrict juvenile access to online pornography; legal questions raised",257,1510000,1767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0&start=1510&end=1767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150070-d28cac3ebaee080bf4cea85738fda9d0/thumbnail_1510000.jpg","/articles/6371342/South-Dakota/Lawmakers-push-ageverification-bill-to-restrict-juvenile-access-to-online-pornography-legal-questions-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371342-57a8c4eb81ca2c7c68d9b44b8c3ecf19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159113&Signature=iSNo6JOl0Ltr7fyodpCuA8tdawGLvZRbjgL09nPQX4lKkBBnT1cCOSrTdNzyraKMGP9fUiiUBL6rPd8peLfYIW~xygOsUEV6tkIv8OBD1YLJi8NGavQc47-9uUFMB5VB8peLClDQTQZ4rlvN30PCgdSP40L6u9v6hFBewy~T8r8sxZlBNmuug8ixhO3Tq1vTrQmXc5VQZmwzEDcSBNKQ8MCdz8yQyHuYqSzTFyI1T9nT-6U58Xq4LIOr~nA0TjDv4DZGMMnXfxSQYoY84joEzk5t~dlBYqPeaexFHnCbobu-KZP6dbE6jE-HHniZjZcgu1elurFr~p922JuOdkZdYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Republican lawmakers said they are taking another run at an age‑verification bill intended to prevent juveniles from accessing pornographic websites. A sponsor described the measure as aimed at keeping harmful material away from young children and said the effort follows a previous clause that passed the House last year but stalled in the Senate and a summer study.

Representative Scott Odenbach, House majority leader, said proponents see the bill as focused on protecting minors, not regulating consenting adults. \"If you're gonna provide harmful material to juveniles, you need to age verify to make sure that you're not providing it to young people,\" Odenbach said, and he cited work with stakeholders and the attorney general about the state's ability to defend such a law if challenged.

Supporters pointed to similar legislation in other states and to pending litigation over a Texas law now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Several supporters referenced the Miller v. California obscenity test as part of the legal framework they believe supports state regulation of obscene material.

Democratic caucus leader Rep. Erin Healy said she and her colleagues oppose the measure as written because it broadly affects adults' First Amendment rights and requires consumers to submit information that could be exposed in data breaches. \"I in no way support children watching pornographic material,\" Healy said, \"but I voted no because this directly impacts adults' First Amendment rights by having to enter in so much information about yourself in order to access a website.\" She added that the bill leaves cultural and enforcement problems unaddressed and that there may be better approaches to protect children online.

Legal context and uncertainty: Sponsors said they had consulted stakeholders and the attorney general; they noted pending Supreme Court consideration of a similar Texas law. Opponents flagged the risk of litigation and data‑security concerns if verification requires collecting personal information.

Next steps: Supporters said they plan to move the measure through committee again this year and that the statute history and pending national litigation will shape the state's approach. Opponents said they will press for revisions that limit data collection and preserve constitutionally protected speech.","Republican leaders described a revived age‑verification bill aimed at preventing minors from accessing pornographic websites; supporters argued it targets a predatory industry and cited legal precedent, while Democrats raised First Amendment and data‑security concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers debate education savings accounts and school choice amid large projected cost

Legislature readies procedural steps as Lt. Gov. Roden prepares to assume governorship, leaders say

Democrats warn that new resolutions could undermine Medicaid expansion and voter-initiated amendments

Design work underway for proposed Lincoln County prison as lawmakers debate financing and necessity

Lawmakers push age‑verification bill to restrict juvenile access to online pornography; legal questions raised