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Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream. Our state government has a duty to ensure an unhindered path for South Dakotans to obtain safe housing. Building a better path to homeownership starts by working with local leadership. The review and unification of building codes helps remove time-consuming red tape for the construction of affordable housing.
To support equitable, quality education, South Dakota must modernize its funding formula to ensure rural and high-need districts have the resources to meet every student’s unique needs. This begins with competitive teacher compensation to stop the talent drain to neighboring states and a renewed priority on early childhood education. Public education is the cornerstone of our communities, yet it has been weakened by systemic, politically motivated underfunding. We must protect the integrity of our districts by ensuring public funds remain in public schools, fulfilling the promise of a system that should be the finest in the nation.
In South Dakota, the people rule. I am concerned by recent efforts to undermine voter intent or complicate the process for grassroots citizens. I support reforms that increase transparency regarding out-of-state "dark money" and mandate plain-language ballot summaries, but I will firmly oppose any measures that make it harder for South Dakotans to exercise their direct democratic rights. Our focus should be on protecting the integrity of the vote, including implementing safeguards that prevent the legislature from immediately repealing or diluting measures passed by a majority of the people.
While verifying eligibility is essential, we must ensure these new requirements do not become a form of poll tax or a barrier to voting that disenfranchises rural South Dakotans, students, or married women who may face bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining specific documentation. My concern is that the new laws around voter eligibility will create an environment that prevents Americans from voting.
Childcare is essential economic infrastructure, and South Dakota must treat it as such. We should modernize our subsidy system to eliminate the "cliff effect" for middle-class parents and shift to reimbursement models based on the actual cost of providing quality care rather than stagnant rates. By providing workforce incentives, such as making childcare employees automatically eligible for assistance and offering tax credits to businesses that invest in employee childcare. We can work towards solving the provider shortage. Supporting rural innovation grants will ensure that every community, regardless of size, has the childcare capacity necessary to keep South Dakota families working and our local economies thriving.
The challenge that I see South Dakotans facing is the rising costs of everyday life. South Dakotans deserve to live a life of dignity. They deserve to be able to support themselves and their families with a full-time job, without the need for additional income for survival. Many are being priced out of the American dream, even here. The state government has a responsibility to ensure that all South Dakotans have the resources they need to fulfill the American dream and live lives of dignity.
The state should focus on increasing the housing supply, this will decrease cost by simple rules of supply and demand. The state government can partner with local communities to build affordable homes. We should also offer greater support for first-time home buyers and address the overall cost pressures families are facing.
The state must reject voucher programs and charter school funding that divert tax dollars away from public schools. We must make public education an absolute priority in the state budget, it is the very foundation of a successful and equitable society.
South Dakota's initiative and referendum process is an important part of our democratic process and gives people a direct voice in their government. This should be protected. I support keeping the process citizen-driven, improving transparency so voters clearly understand what they are voting on, and ensure rules are fair and consistent. I would be cautions about changes that would make it more difficult for citizens to participate.
As the new laws are implemented, I'll be watching closely to ensure they don't create undue barriers for eligible voters, especially women, seniors, rural residents and people with limited access to transportation or working people without flexible schedules.
We can look to some other states that have passed good legislation to form public-private partnerships to offset the cost of childcare and expand access to childcare assistance.
The affordability crisis is the most important challenge facing South Dakotans. The cost of housing, childcare, groceries and healthcare, combined with low wages, are pricing average families out of home ownership, having the children they want, or even being able to afford basic necessities. We simply must decide that solving this crisis is a priority and work hard toward that goal.
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