Thune: We Are Just Getting Started
“Republicans are working to deliver for the American people.”
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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor
Thune Calls Out Democrats’ Willingness to Shut Down the Government
“Democrats need to decide if they’re going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they’re going to shut down the government.”
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Gov. Rhoden Signs Bill to Address Property Taxes
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed his bill to address the rising burden of property taxes on South Dakota homeowners, SB 216. He signed this bill at a signing ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, and you can find a photo of the signing here.
“SB 216 is a win for South Dakota homeowners,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This bill is impactful and workable, and it will certainly slow down any future tax increases.”
SB 216 addresses the property tax burden on homeowners in the following ways:
“I am grateful for all the legislators who worked with me to get this bill passed. The discussions and negotiations that occurred along the way are a sign of good process,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden. “This bill was an important step forward, but we are not done bringing property tax relief to South Dakotans. I am working on a proposal for a real property tax cut and will share more details on that proposal in the near future.”
Governor Rhoden has signed 126 bills and VETOED one this legislative session.
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Gov. Rhoden VETOES HB 1132
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden VETOED HB 1132, which would have expanded the child care assistance program beyond the low-income families that it is meant to prioritize. Governor Rhoden outlined the reasons for his VETO in a letter to the House of Representatives. You can find a copy of the letter here. You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden VETOING HB 1132 here.
“House Bill 1132 shifts South Dakota’s child care assistance program away from its core mission,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden in the letter. “Currently, the program is designed as a safety net to help low-income families cover child care costs while they work toward self-sufficiency. This bill would give child care workers preferential treatment, by allowing them to receive this aid at a higher income level.”
The Department of Social Services has been actively implementing solutions to address the child care shortage in South Dakota, including:
“The Department of Social Services has been actively implementing solutions to support the child care industry and workforce. These solutions focus on sustainable approaches and do not involve expanding our state’s safety net program beyond its intended purpose,” continued Governor Rhoden. “The state’s role in promoting our child care workforce should be supporting economic development and encouraging private sector solutions – not broadening government safety nets into permanent workforce subsidies.”
Governor Rhoden has signed 125 bills and VETOED one this legislative session.
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Gov. Rhoden Signs 19 Bills into Law
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed the following 19 bills into law:
Governor Rhoden wrote a letter to the legislature on his decision to sign Senate Bill 83, and you can find that here.
Governor Rhoden has signed 125 bills into law this legislative session.
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Final Ballot Explanation Released for Proposed Draft Constitutional Amendment on Legislative Changes to Initiatives
PIERRE, S.D. – The final ballot explanation for a draft constitutional amendment, proposed by Rick Weiland of Sioux Falls, that would require legislative changes to initiatives and referendum procedures be approved by a vote of the people has been released by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Marty Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. He has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the proposed constitutional amendment to help assist the voters.
This proposed constitutional amendment would allow the Legislature to pass legislation that changes or repeals laws affecting initiative and referendum procedures. The legislation does not become effective unless approved by the voters at the next general election.
The constitutional amendment would require 35,017 valid petition signatures to qualify for the 2026 general election ballot. The ballot explanation can be found here.
For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.
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Gov. Rhoden Appoints Jim Dover and Jamie Stucky to the Board of Technical Education
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the Senate approved Governor Larry Rhoden’s appointment of James “Jim” Dover and Jamie Stucky to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education.
“Jim Dover and Jamie Stucky will bring strategic vision and strong leadership skills to the Board of Technical Education,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I am confident that they will help fulfill my mission to keep South Dakota Open for Opportunity, especially when it comes to opportunities for South Dakotans to get into the career of their dreams.”
Dover holds a bachelor’s degree in bacteriology from the University of Idaho and a master’s of hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Avera Health and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“I am honored and grateful to Governor Rhoden for this appointment to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. It is a privilege to serve and support the vital role that our technical colleges play in developing a strong workforce,” said Jim Dover. “In health care, workforce readiness is critical, and I am continually impressed by the quality of graduates who choose to pursue their education and careers right here in South Dakota. I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of our students, our institutions, and our communities.”
Dover’s strong depth of health care leadership encompasses 40 years’ experience. Prior to his current position, he served in leadership roles for Sparrow Health in Lansing, MI; Hospital Sisters Health System in Springfield, IL; Daughters of Charity Health System in Los Altos Hills, CA; St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster, CO; and several additional health systems on the West Coast.
Jim Dover and his wife, Maria, have four adult children. He enjoys spending time with his family, participating in outdoor activities, and playing tennis. You can find a photo of Jim Dover here.
Jamie Stucky lives in Lennox and works as the Senior Director of Clinical Learning Strategies at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. She has been a registered nurse at Sanford Health for nearly 20 years, working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, ambulatory care, health care accreditation, nursing professional development, and academic-practice partnerships. Stucky earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount Marty College in 2005 and a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from the University of South Dakota in 2017.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to Governor Rhoden for appointing me to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the state of South Dakota alongside the esteemed members of this board and to help guide the future of our state’s technical education programs,” said Jamie Stucky. “I will approach this position by utilizing my background in healthcare, but also by using a spirit of collaboration and a growth mindset to help maximize the impact of working on a team with diverse background and experiences.”
Over the past decade, Stucky has collaborated with academic partners across South Dakota to support clinical placements and has participated in Build Dakota student interviews and signing day events. She also serves on the Nursing Advisory Board at Southeast Technical College. You can find a photo of Jamie Stucky here.
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Gov. Rhoden Appoints Miles Beacom and Griffin Petersen to the Board of Regents
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the Senate confirmed Governor Rhoden’s appointment of Miles Beacom and Griffin Petersen to the South Dakota Board of Regents.
“Miles and Griffin have both shown exceptional leadership in all walks of life,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “They are dedicated problem solvers, and I am confident that their service will lead our universities towards a brighter future.”
Miles K. Beacom is a graduate of Dakota State University, and he has served as Chief Executive Officer of PREMIER Bankcard since 1993. Under his leadership, PREMIER Bankcard has gone from serving 30,000 cardholders to more than 2 million customers nationwide. In 2006, the University of South Dakota in Vermillion named its School of Business in honor of Beacom.
Beacom currently serves on the Board of Directors for PREMIER Bankcard, LLC, First PREMIER Bank, United National Corporation, and is serving as the 2025 President of the Board of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Board, the Sioux Empire United Way, the Sanford Health International, the Dakota State University Foundation, the Catholic Diocese for Eastern South Dakota, and the USD Beacom School of Business Advisory Board.
“I would like to thank Governor Rhoden for this tremendous opportunity to serve on the Board of Regents. The success of our public universities over the past couple of decades is truly remarkable,” said Miles Beacom. “Our universities must remain nimble to change in this fast-paced technology environment that we are in today, and it is our responsibility to provide the tools our graduates need to be successful in this ever-changing job market. I have a lot to learn from the current Regents and universities, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Beacom and his wife Lisa have three daughters, one son, and two grandchildren. You can find a picture of Miles Beacom here.
Griffin Petersen is a junior at the University of South Dakota studying political science and criminal justice, with a minor in history. He hails from the small town of Onida, SD, and he has served USD’s student body as a Student Government Association Senator since his freshman year. Petersen stays active on campus through his involvement as President of the USD College Republicans and as President of his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha.
“I want to thank Governor Rhoden for giving me the honor of serving as the student representative on the South Dakota Board of Regents. Our state universities have seen tremendous growth over the years as students from all over the world continue to choose South Dakota as the place to get a quality education for an affordable price,” said Griffin Petersen. “I have experienced firsthand how valuable our higher education system is because I see it in the students, faculty, and staff who step foot on our campuses every day. I look forward to helping the Board continue this level of growth and serve as a strong and passionate voice for the 36,000 students who attend our state colleges and universities.”
Petersen served as an intern for both of South Dakota’s U.S. Senators out in Washington, DC, last summer. He also served as an intern for the South Dakota State House of Representatives during the 98th Legislative Session. You can find a photo of Griffin Petersen here.
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Attorney General’s Office Releases Final Explanation for Draft Constitutional Amendment Proposed by Sioux Falls Man
PIERRE, S.D. – The final ballot explanation for a draft constitutional amendment, proposed by Rick Weiland of Sioux Falls, that would require legislative changes for voter-approved initiated measures for seven years after approval to be approved by three-fourths of the Legislature and also require approval of the voters, has been released by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Marty Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. He has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the proposed constitutional amendment to help assist the voters.
This proposed constitutional amendment would restrict the Legislature’s ability to change or repeal voter-approved measures for seven years after the measure takes effect. During that seven-year period, the Legislature may still approve legislation that would either change or repeal laws approved by initiated measure, but such action must be passed by three-fourths of all members in each legislative chamber. The legislation would also have to be approved by voters at the next general election.
The proposed constitutional amendment would require 35,017 valid petition signatures to qualify for the 2026 general election ballot. The ballot explanation can be found here.
For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.
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Gov. Rhoden Signs Attorney General Jackley’s Bills into Law
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed nine bills into law, including six bills that were introduced by Attorney General Marty Jackley. He signed those six bills in a signing ceremony with the Attorney General, and you can find a photo of that signing here.
“As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we have a responsibility to ensure integrity in how those dollars are spent,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “My team worked closely with Attorney General Jackley throughout the legislative process to get these bills to a place that protects taxpayer dollars while making sure that the punishment fits the crime.”
The Rhoden Administration has successfully trained 100% of state employees on integrity, public trust, and a service mindset; continues to move forward on implementation of the Project BISON accounting system; has reviewed, updated, improved, and even added dozens of internal controls; and is allocating more resources to Board of Internal Controls through the budget process.
Governor Rhoden signed the following six bills that were introduced by Attorney General Jackley:
“Today, our State is choosing to better protect taxpayer dollars and those State employees reporting crimes to the Attorney General,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley.
Governor Rhoden also signed the following three government accountability bills:
Governor Rhoden has signed 106 bills into law this legislative session.
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