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Addressing SD’s housing crisis requires coordinated action at both state and local levels. We should expand support for affordable housing programs, like HIFP, and strengthen resources for local housing authorities. Partnerships with nonprofits, community groups, and the private sector can help increase housing options for all income levels, as seen in efforts by the Black Hills Area Community Foundation. SD can also learn from states like Montana, where communities can choose housing policies that fit their size and needs while still increasing supply. I supported HB 1113, which would have expanded affordable housing definitions to include qualifying & quality manufactured homes, offering a more accessible path to home ownership.
Every South Dakota student deserves a strong public education, regardless of ZIP code, income, or background.
As a former teacher, I know this starts with reliable funding. I introduced HB 1205 to ensure school funding keeps pace with inflation, and HB 1204 to create a zero-interest loan fund for school construction, reducing pressure on local taxpayers.
We must also invest in pre-K, special education, mental health services, and teacher recruitment and retention. Students should learn the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings to better understand our state.
Finally, we must keep higher education affordable and ensure public funds only support public schools.
I strongly support South Dakota’s initiative and referendum process and have opposed many recent efforts to make it harder for citizens to use it. South Dakota was the first state in the nation to adopt this system, and we should protect that legacy. When voters bring forward an initiated measure, it is often because they do not feel heard by their elected officials. I understand the argument for requiring 60% approval to amend the Constitution (Constitutional Amendment L), but I would be more open to that change if the Legislature were also held to a higher standard before altering or repealing a measure approved by voters. The people’s voice should not be easier for lawmakers to override than it is for citizens to exercise.
Election security and voter access must go hand in hand. I will watch closely to ensure new requirements do not prevent eligible South Dakotans, especially seniors, rural and Tribal voters, students, people with disabilities, and low-income residents, from voting. When citizenship documents are required, they must be easy to obtain and available without fees. I support allowing otherwise eligible voters whose registration cannot be confirmed to complete a provisional registration and ballot, with eligibility verified before it is counted. Polling places should clearly post this option. We can protect election integrity without creating unnecessary barriers.
Affordable, quality child care is essential for both children and South Dakota’s economy. Nearly 75% of children under age six have all available parents in the workforce, so families need care they can trust. High-quality, play-based early learning also helps children build the skills they need to succeed in school. I support stronger partnerships among government, nonprofits, and employers, along with incentives for providers to become licensed and assistance with costs such as employee health insurance. I also supported HB 1132 in 2025, which would have expanded child care assistance for qualifying child care workers. We should make child care more affordable for families and the business model more sustainable for providers.
The biggest challenges facing South Dakota are affordability, strong public schools, and protecting our water. Families are feeling the cost of groceries, housing, child care, and everyday expenses. I have supported efforts to lower the state grocery tax, strengthen school funding, and make school construction more affordable. I also supported a one-year pause on new data centers while the state develops safeguards, and I brought legislation to modernize mining laws and better protect the Black Hills and our water. I am focused on practical solutions to real problems and on bringing a voice to Pierre that has been missing for far too long.
