(PIERRE, SD) – For the final time as Governor, Kristi Noem addressed a joint session of South Dakota’s House and Senate Tuesday afternoon for her annual budget address.
Noem, who is expected to resign next month after being named President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, said the ‘past six years have been one of the greatest honors of my lifetime.’
“I have always kept my budget proposals focused on our people, not on government programs,” Noem said.
She said South Dakota’s economy remains the strongest in America, even though revenue has ‘tightened up’ this year.
Noem says $175 million is available for one-time revenue, while unclaimed property funds are at an all-time high of $229 million.
Increase to healthcare, education, state employees
In her address, Noem proposed the state gives an increase of one-and-a-quarter percent to schools, state employes and healthcare providers.
“This should keep us ahead of the increase in inflation,” she said. “We are not going back to the days when our kids, providers, and employees are left behind. Thank you for getting it done.”
She asked the legislature to consider a permanent tax cut for South Dakotans, something she asked for during the last session, saying South Dakotans ‘deserve better.’
Education
Noem proposed establishing Education Savings Accounts for students.
“I am setting aside $4 million in ongoing dollars to stand up the program to start providing support for South Dakota students,” she said. “This investment will pay for a portion of private school tuition or curriculum for alternative education.”
She noted that no funding for public schools will be cut.
She also proposed $10 million in one-time grants, over five years, to create school safety grants. The grants will support identified security upgrades and protect the next generation of South Dakotans, she said.
Healthcare
Mental health is a rural medical issue that is ongoing.
During her budget address, Noem said her budget provides more than a million dollars to build and support mental health facilities across the state.
She also recommends a more than one-million-dollar investment for Agency with Choice at the Department of Human Services. This will continue to allow families utilizing the state’s Family Support 360 services to choose who is providing services in their homes.
Safety
Noem touched on safety and the work her administration has done.
“One of the core responsibilities of the government is to guarantee the safety and security of our people – to protect their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” she said. “I am proud of all that we have done in the last six years to improve the safety of our people.”
