SD Senate passes State Fair funding measure

PIERRE, S.D. (AP)--A measure intended to keep the State Fair going for at least another year was approved Feb. 13 by the South Dakota Senate.

SB143 would provide the state Agriculture Department with $750,000 to cover expenses and expected losses for the fair that will be held late this summer. It also would set aside another $250,000 that could be tapped if the initial $750,000 is not sufficient to cover the State Fair's shortfall.

The fair, held annually in Huron, has had financial problems for years. The Legislature already has passed an emergency measure that provided $994,000 to cover losses from the 2005 State Fair.

Sen. Duane Sutton, R-Aberdeen, said the measure providing money for this year's fair is a change from past practices, when the Legislature waited to see the size of the State Fair's loss and then covered that loss.

Sen. Tom Hansen, R-Huron, said the money should help the State Fair operate this year and build for a better future.

The Senate rejected a proposed change in the bill that would have removed the additional $250,000 that would be used if the $750,000 is not enough. Sen. Dave Knudson, R-Sioux Falls, said he objected because the extra funds would come from tapping a special fund employers pay into for economic development purposes.

State Agriculture Secretary Larry Gabriel is in the final year of a three-year plan to improve the finances of the State Fair. He has said the extra $250,000 will not be needed because he has promised not to exceed a budget he and other officials have set for this year's State Fair.

Sen. John Koskan, R-Wood, said using the economic development money in the Futures Fund makes sense because the State Fair encourages economic growth by showcasing South Dakota products.

Senators voted 31 to 4 to send the measure to the House of Representatives.

Date: 2/22/06