March 22, 2011 | Read Time: 1 minute
A new South Dakota law sets up an endowment to collect donations to support state government programs, the Associated Press writes.
The measure, which takes effect July 1, directs investment earnings on the fund to the legislature to divide up among state programs.
Some state senators objected that the law does not specifically authorize donors to direct where their money goes, but its sponsor, Rep. Hall Wick, said existing laws on endowment funds cover such designated donations.
The fund will be managed by South Dakota Community Foundations, whose president, Bob Sutton, said he would also recommend that lawmakers honor donors’ wishes to support particular programs or projects.
“I’ll be anxious to see how South Dakotans react to using philanthropic dollars to support state government,” Mr. Sutton said.
