"Only time will tell if it was a wise decision to spend these additional dollars," she wrote in a letter to lawmakers, referencing about $87 million in spending above her recommended budget.
“I still believe the people of the state deserve a permanent tax cut,” Noem said. “So we're evaluating that. It's really hard to put my signature on a bill that doesn't bring that kind of relief.”
“There's nothing in [Noem's] veto statement that's true. It reflects all of the tinfoil hat lines that those strange rangers were spreading around,” one Republican lawmaker said.
“I think the governor’s veto message was powerful,” one lawmaker said. “I think the argument about rural South Dakotans having to pay a disproportionate amount was what moved a lot of people.”
“I know we need American security, but at what cost?” one lawmaker said during the floor debate. “At what cost of private ownership and private property rights?”
The change strikes down law requiring ballot measures and amendments referred by petition to compile all required signature one year prior to Election Day.
“In South Dakota, an overwhelming majority don't feel it is necessary or appropriate for minors to have gender-altering, permanent surgeries taking place,” Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree said.
“Why would we create new major programs, when we can’t even fund the programs that we have?” a public education lobbyist said in opposition to Noem's three-year, $15 million proposal.
While a tax committee passed the cut to the food tax on the basis of its independent policy merits, the real discussion will come as appropriators consider it in the context of the entire budget.
At the South Dakota Republican Party's annual meeting of the State Central Committee, delegates face a choice on who gets a say at party conventions, and who will lead the party into the future.
