What should our state government do to support access to affordable housing?
• Encourage Free Market Solutions: We should emphasize reducing regulatory barriers and allowing the free market to address housing needs. This includes streamlining zoning regulations, reducing permitting costs, and minimizing state and local government intervention in the housing market.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Facilitate partnerships between the government and private developers to incentivize the construction of affordable housing units. This can include offering tax incentives or land subsidies to developers who commit to building affordable housing.
• Focus on Economic Growth: We must prioritize policies that stimulate economic growth and job creation. A strong economy can improve affordability and increase housing options.
How do you view the initiative and referendum process in South Dakota? Are there any changes to this system that you would support?
• I view the initiative and referendum process as a mechanism for direct democracy, but I am cautious of its potential pitfalls, such as special interest influence and unintended consequences.
• Support Measures to Enhance Transparency: I advocate for measures that increase transparency in the initiative process, such as requiring clear disclosure of funding sources for ballot initiatives and mandating impartial analysis of proposed measures.
• Strengthen Signature Verification: I support efforts to strengthen signature verification processes to ensure the legitimacy of petitions and prevent fraud.
• Educate Voters: We should promote voter education initiatives so voters are well-informed about ballot measures and their possible impact.
How will you protect voting rights while maintaining the security and integrity of our elections?
• Legal residents of the state should not have any barriers to registering to vote. SB 139, passed in 2022, is an example of poorly thought-out, unconstitutional legislation.
• County Auditors who, while well-intentioned, decide to interpret voting laws in ways that create barriers for legal residents to vote should be censored or impeached.
• Support Voter ID Laws: Advocate for reasonable voter ID laws that require identification to vote, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process while minimizing the risk of voter fraud.
• Enhance Election Security: Invest in cybersecurity measures to safeguard voter registration databases and voting systems from cyber threats. This includes implementing robust authentication protocols.
What should our state government do to support access to affordable, quality childcare?
• Promote Market-Based Solutions: Advocate for policies that empower families to make childcare decisions, such as expanding tax credits or deductions for childcare expenses.
• Reduce Regulatory Burdens: Work to reduce regulatory barriers that drive up the cost of childcare, such as excessive licensing requirements or mandates for specific staffing ratios.
• Encourage Entrepreneurship: Support initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship in the childcare sector, such as providing grants or low-interest loans to businesses that offer childcare services. If a business offered on-site licensed childcare, the benefits to the business and the employee/family would be significant.
• Foster Parental Choice on childcare options.
What do you see as the most important challenges facing our state?
• Economic Development: Focus on policies that promote economic growth and job creation, including reducing taxes and regulations on businesses, attracting investment, and fostering entrepreneurship.
• Healthcare Access: Address healthcare access challenges by promoting free-market solutions, expanding telemedicine services, and increasing competition among healthcare providers to lower costs.
• Education Reform: Advocate for school choice initiatives, such as charter schools and education savings accounts, to empower parents and improve student educational outcomes.
• Infrastructure Investment: We should prioritize infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity and support economic development, improving roads, bridges, and broadband.