Noem calls special legislative session for October 5th to make decisions on COVID-19 funds

September 22, 2020

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has called for a special session of the legislature for Monday October 5th to figure out a plan to spend more than $1 billion in federal funds the state has received to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Republican governor’s administration has spent about $114 million of the $1.25 billion in federal funds allocated to the state.

Noem earlier this month mapped out a plan to spend the bulk of the money, but some House members said lawmakers should be included in the decision.

The COVID Tracking Project ranks South Dakota second in the country for new cases per capita in the last two weeks.

There were 173 cases confirmed on Monday.