South Dakota lawmakers reject Noems public broadcasting cut

PIERRE Members of the Legislatures main budget committee voted to maintain state funding for South Dakota Public Broadcasting on Tuesday, reversing former Gov. Kristi Noemsproposed$3.6 million cut.

The Joint Appropriations Committee, meeting at the Capitol, rejected the provision in the governors December budget proposal. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the decision, citing the importance of SDPBs communication towers, whichrelay public safety messages; its legislative and other state government livestreams that support government transparency; and its broadcasts of state high school activities.

As long as Im here, its safe, said Rep. Liz May, R-Kyle. Because I have got to watch basketball.

The move follows an avalanche of opposition to the proposed cut. Earlier this legislative session,busloads of SDPB supporters traveled to the Capitol to urge lawmakers to maintain funding. They and staff warned the cut would jeopardize federal matching dollars and force the network to significantly scale back local programming. SDPB leaders had warned that without the funding, the networks ability to broadcast high school sports, legislative hearings and emergency alerts would be severely diminished.

SDPB Executive Director Julie Overgaard, addressing the committee Tuesday, described the past few months as some of the most challenging in her decades with the organization.

I cannot tell you how much my staff, myself, our boards and everybody who has spent so much of their life to make this a great service for South Dakota, we appreciate the work you did, and the decision you made, Overgaard said.

The funding reduction was included in the budget proposal from former Gov. Kristi Noem before she departed for a federal Cabinet position. Gov. Larry Rhoden, who succeeded Noem, acknowledged concerns over the cut but had not committed to restoring it.

SDPBs budget now moves forward in the legislative process as lawmakers work to finish the next fiscal years state budget by the time their annual legislative session concludes Thursday. Lawmakers will return to Pierre on March 31 to consider any vetoes from Rhoden.

SDPB is requesting $5.6 million in state funding for the 2026 fiscal year. The organizations total budget is about $11 million, with the rest of the money from federal matching funds and private fundraising.