Penny pinchers may kill South Dakota's State Fair

[CatholicEdHead]

That is the gist of the article I read. To save $1 Million/year all the social aspects of the fair would end after 101 years. This is killing community on the plains.

http://www.startribune.com/484/story/151537.html

"Sen. Bill Napoli, a Republican from Rapid City and a member of the Appropriations Committee, is unhappy that the state has had to put in $1 million or more each year to keep the fair going. No longer feeling the magic of the midway, he proposed "sunsetting" the fair -- and set off a soul-searching statewide debate.

"It's had a terrific history -- of gobbling up taxpayer dollars," Napoli said. "I don't have a problem with that if it's successful, but it's not been successful."

Haley said that losing the State Fair would be a blow to Huron, a city of about 12,500 in east-central South Dakota. "There would be some financial loss, but as a source of pride the hit would be very big," he said. "Huron loves the fair." All of South Dakota should, Haley said.

"It's like a big family reunion, a social event that represents our culture and all parts of society: education, business, agriculture. It represents who we are."

[High Plains]

1. I grew up in Huron

The state fair is a big deal for the community.

Very much an old-fashioned slice of Americana. Can't afford it anymore, I guess.

[TexasLawyer]

2. Abortion bill and priorities

on the plus side, now your state can free up that money and use it for something REALLY important--like legal fees to defend the indefensible abortion bill that just passed in the SD legislature.