Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen is calling on South Dakota lawmakers to greenlight a proposed men’s prison in Sioux Falls, underscoring both urgency and fiscal caution. In an uncommon move, Governor Larry Rhoden handed his weekly column over to Venhuizen last week, allowing him to present his case directly to the public.
Venhuizen, who led the Project Prison Reset task force, described the $650 million cap on the facility as a realistic compromise, warning that further delays will only escalate costs. He argues the state needs to act decisively to protect public safety and ensure long-term infrastructure stability.
Governor Rhoden plans to convene a special legislative session on September 23 to vote on the measure. He’s assured voters that the state can fund the project without introducing new taxes or incurring debt.
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