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By Todd Epp
The Dakota Scout
The South Dakota Legislature’s Joint Committee on Appropriations voted unanimously Tuesday, March 11, to fully restore South Dakota Public Broadcasting funding, rejecting former Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposed budget cuts.
The committee voted 15-0 to approve the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications budget, which includes SDPB’s funding for fiscal year 2026.
“This has been one of the hardest few months of my life and my staff’s life and the people who support us and believe in us,” said Julie Overgaard, South Dakota Public Broadcasting executive director. “I can’t thank you all enough for the time and attention you gave and took to hear us out.”
In her December 2024 Budget Address, Gov. Noem recommended significant reductions to SDPB’s budget, recommending a $3.6 million cut that would have eliminated 50 positions and reduced the organization from 76 to 26 employees.
Rep. Liz May, R-Kyle, expressed her appreciation for SDPB’s coverage of high school basketball tournaments and indicated she would continue supporting SDPB during her time in office.
“I just want to say how much I appreciate the fact that I’ve been here all these years, and I miss all the basketball tournaments,” May said. “So as long as I’m here, it’s safe because I’ve got to watch basketball.”
Committee members from both parties expressed satisfaction with the decision to maintain SDPB’s funding.
“I’m very pleased to work alongside this committee to restore the cuts to South Dakota Public Broadcasting,” said Rep. Erik Muckey, D-Sioux Falls. “This is a team effort across both sides of the aisle.”
Rep. Chris Kassin, R-Vermillion, echoed that sentiment, saying he was “really, really happy to see the funding restored to South Dakota Public Broadcasting at the full level.”
The committee also restored the state’s $60,000 grant to the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol, which Gov. Noem had recommended removing from the Department of Military budget.
The budget restoration votes came during a scheduled four-hour session where the committee set budgets for 18 state departments and agencies, including the Department of Military, Department of Education, and Bureau of Finance & Management.
Overgaard acknowledged that future discussions about SDPB’s operations would likely continue.
“I know there’s probably more conversation to come in the future about what public broadcasting needs to be and looks like and how we can better serve the people of South Dakota,” she said. “And I hope we can continue to do it in a thoughtful and collegial way.”
With the committee’s approval, the General Appropriations Bill will include the restored funding and go to the full House and Senate.
The legislature has only three days remaining in the regular session, which concludes Thursday, March 14. Veto Day is scheduled for March 31.
Todd Epp is the remote reporter for the South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
Editor’s note: Epp is a member of the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol, which is mentioned in this story.
