South Dakota Democratic leaders want Gov. Larry Rhoden to take a stand on the potential lapse in hunger-relief benefits in the state.

But he, and other South Dakota Republicans, don't think the state should respond to a federal problem.

State Sen Liz. Larson and State Rep. Erin Healy, both Sioux Falls Democrats and minority leaders of their respective chambers, wrote a joint letter on behalf of the state Joint Democratic Caucus to Rhoden on Oct. 30, in which they urged the governor to convene a special session of the state Legislature.

The purpose, Healy and Larson stated, would be to "authorize the use of state general fund reserves" or other reserve funds to temporarily fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which are set to run out Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal

See Full Page