On Friday democrats blocked funding for the lab. House members split along party lines for the 41-22 vote. The spending bill needed a two-thirds majority of 47 “yes” votes to pass. Five Republicans and two Democrats were missing.

“None of the democrats are against the mine,” said Rep. Susan Wismer, D-Britton.
“(The governor) can find the money in other funds that he has control over,” she said. “He doesn’t have to come to the legislature to ask for it. He has the future funds, the ready funds, the Great Plains Education Foundation, funds that are completely under his control and he could do anything of those things. And we think he should rather than take from things that are in pretty dire need.”

But other democrats said the lab was not top priority in the state.

“I can support the concept of the lab, but I feel we have other funding priorities in this economic recession,” said Rep. Quinton Burg, D-Wessington Springs.

Rounds proposed that the $5.4 million come from; $1.5 million from the state aeronautics fund, $1 million from the state tax relief fund which receives voluntary payments of sales taxes from Internet businesses, $2 million from the state petroleum release compensation fund,  $400,000 from a private activity bond fees fund and $500,000 from the telecommunications services for the deaf fund.

Officials said the funding is necessary to bridge a gap from December to May of 2011 when federal funding is expected to begin.

Rep. Larry Lucas, D-Mission, said he fully supports the lab but that more cuts in the state’s budget need to be made before spending additional funds.

“My concerns are that we have to cut over 40 million from the state's budget unless there are more revenues created from some other source,” Lucas said. “We need to identify these cuts before we do any new spending.  I do support the funding for the underground lab.  I also believe the money should come from the general fund rather that taking money from the various funds which have all been developed over time with different types fees – (none) of which have anything to do with the underground scientific lab.”

Burg added that he believes the funding can and will be found for the lab, but he questioned the priority of the lab.

“We've already put over $35 million of state funds into this project and Sanford has put about $70 million into the project and that hasn't all been spent yet,” Burg said. “How much can we afford to take from other issues important to our state's economic future to support this lab?  How long can we scrimp on services to the people in our state - education, health, local government, every citizen can name his/her own top issues - in order to support a project that may or may not guarantee any return on investment.  During these tough economic times, is this really our top priority?”

Local republicans say the funding is a priority.

“If we allow the bill not to pass, the lab will shut down and fill with water,” said Rep. Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood. “Millions of dollars that have already been invested will be lost, along with jobs and the opportunity to conduct invaluable research. I can’t imagine what is going through the minds of the democrats that they would make such an ill advised vote.”

Lawrence County democrats said they were “extremely disappointed” the bill was voted down as the lab funding is “extremely important to the area and state.”

The house will reconsider funding the lab today, but unless the source of funding changes Wismer said her vote will still be in opposition.

“It will still be no until he decides to take the money from one of the other economic development funds available to him,” she said. “This is far, far from any last word on the mine. The mine will get the money. It is within the governor’s control to get it himself and nobody should be worried about the mine not getting $5 million.”