SPEARFISH - Final state budget figures are expected this week or later, leaving lawmakers short on time to make major changes to the state's funding and spending plans, District 31 legislators said Saturday.

They answered questions centered on the state budget and falling state revenues from a crowd of more than 50 people Saturday at a crackerbarrel at Black Hills State University.

When Gov. Mike Rounds proposed millions of dollars in budget cuts in January, programs targeted included the Birth to 3 Connections program for children with developmental delays, arts funding and Extension money. There were other areas of the state targeted for higher taxes and fees, including a 50 percent proposed increase in fees from Deadwood slot machine owners.

Resistance to those plans was immediate, and over the past three weeks, legislators have passed measures to wipe out the governor's plans or lessen their impact.

"There's $30 million in cuts we haven't approved," Sen. Tom Nelson, R-Lead, said. "And we have only approved $8 million in increased revenue."

Nelson said there hasn't been much progress on revenue enhancements, and until the Joint Appropriations Committee comes up with final numbers of how to balance the budget, the rest of the Legislature is in a waiting pattern.

"On the last day, we're going to be faced with more severe cuts or an increase in the sales tax," Rep. Fred Romkema, R-Spearfish, said.

Rep. Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood, hasn't ruled out the possibility of a special legislative session to amend the budget later this spring.

"We've got to allow the process to run its course. As we continue to fund these programs, the budget deficit continues to grow," Turbiville said. "When this finally does get all sorted out, a special session is likely."

Turbiville said the question will be whether to have a temporary sales tax, which he favors. He is advocating for a one-cent sales tax that would be limited to three years to raise necessary funds to balance the state budget, similar to one in the early 1990s, when Gov. George Mickelson was in office.

The legislators told the audience that federal stimulus funds for highway projects, water projects and education infrastructure will be helpful for those programs, but money for unemployment benefits or Medicaid may have too many restrictions for Gov. Rounds to accept.

"You can't balance your budget with one-time stimulus money," Turbiville said.

03-01-09, tim velder, spearfish, crackerbarrell, 2009 legislature, fred romkema, chuck turbiville, budget cuts, tom nelson, mike rounds, northern hills news