South Dakota Democrats Seek Information on Labor Recruiting Plan

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Democratic state lawmakers have asked South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard for information on the state's $5 million contract with a national recruiting firm that is seeking to find new workers to fill jobs in the state.

Rep. Susan Wismer of Britton and Sen. Billie Sutton of Burke say they have questions about the contract because the recruiter was supposed to help fill 1,000 jobs in three years, but a year after the contract was signed only 83 jobs have been filled. They note the state recently made changes in the project, which seeks to fill needs in engineering, financial services, information technology and manufacturing.

Daugaard spokesman Tony Venhuizen says the Governor's Office of Economic Development has been open about the project and will provide the information sought by Democratic lawmakers.

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