The 95th legislative session began with Governor Noem’s State of the State address on Tuesday January 14. Governor Noem outlined why South Dakota is the best state in the country to own and operate a business.
Four Pillars of Protection
Governor Noem is committed to maintaining the fiscal integrity for which South Dakota has become known for- keeping taxes low, limiting government regulation, fighting government intrusion, and keeping government open and honest. South Dakota has no corporate income tax, no business inventory tax, personal property tax or an inheritance tax, continues to have AAA credit rating and a state pension plan that is fully funded. Governor Noem asserted, South Dakota is Open for Business!
Continue to Expand Rural Broad
The Governor announced with the state’s $5M in matching broadband grants last year resulted in $25M in projects that brought broadband to 6,500 homes and 150 business in South Dakota.
Budget Address Update
Since the budget address, revenues trended better than expected. The Governors Number #1 priority with additional ongoing money will be to provide increases for education, state employees, and Medicaid providers.
Cybersecurity
The Economic Development Administration awarded a $1.46 million-dollar grant to Dakota State University to help establish a high-speed research network. Because it is designated as an Opportunity Zone, the investment will receive a $1.46 million-dollar match in local funds. DSU is recognized as an academic leader in cybersecurity and it has been designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the National Security Agency.
Housing Development-workforce housing projects
Governor’s Office of Economic Development to begin utilizing the Revolving Economic Development and Initiative fund to support multi-family, workforce housing projects. Having suitable housing is economic progress. By opening this fund South Dakotans will get developers to invest in communities where additional housing units are most needed.
Suicide Prevention
Department of Health to lead a joint effort to develop a statewide suicide prevention plan. Administration and the department will soon unveil a proposal to address suicide prevention, intervention, and post intervention. Efforts to continue focus on mental health as well.
Meth Treatment
The first phase of the campaign has ended with the Meth. We’re On It campaign now it’s time to turn the conversation to the next phase: treatment programs for South Dakotans who are suffering from addiction.
Indian Health Services
Look for ways to build upon and improve healthcare for Native Americans through agreements with Indian Health Service. The state has now put state-employed nurses in three IHS facilities across the state to better coordinate healthcare. As a result, healthcare is better managed for patients that are referred by IHS to another provider.
In closing, Governor Noem recognized Chief Justice David Gilbertson. The Chief Justice, from Sisseton, SD was first appointed as a circuit judge in 1986, and then to the Supreme Court in 1995. In 2001, his peers elected him to serve as Chief Justice, and nineteen years later, he is the longest-tenured Chief in our state’s history.
