South Dakota Needs Modernization, Not a DOGE Project
State leaders propose cuts that starve local governments — the real reform lies in consolidation, technology, and accountability South Dakota’s fiscal debates usually circle the same questions: whether to cut taxes, which ones, and who pays the price. Lately, rapid...
Goodbye Vermillion, Hello Common Sense
The South Dakota Board of Regents made news last week with an announcement that many thought would never come: the state’s only medical school is moving from small-town Vermillion to Sioux Falls, the state’s population and health care hub. It is a rare example of...
Sioux Falls Needs Strong Leadership
It’s no surprise that South Dakota’s new men’s state prison will apparently be built in Sioux Falls, the state’s urban center. The facility is expected to be significantly larger than the existing one, housing far more inmates, and bringing with it increased...
The Speeding Crisis: Reckless Drivers Have Turned Sioux Falls Streets into Danger Zones
It’s Time to Ramp Up Traffic Law Enforcement Sioux Falls has a chronic speeding problem, and it’s a deadly menace. From noisy downtown drag races to high-speed crashes on arterial roads like 57th Street, reckless driving is putting lives at risk across the city....
The Next Mayor of Sioux Falls: Who Will Be Ready to Lead in 2026?
With a booming population, growing economy, and a $773 million city budget to manage, South Dakota’s largest city faces an important decision. In 2026, Sioux Falls voters will elect their next mayor, a leader who may shape the city for the next eight years. The...
An Obvious Way to Reduce Property Taxes in South Dakota
South Dakota’s Government: A Case for Modernization South Dakota is searching for answers to high property taxes—but ignoring one of the most obvious fixes: cutting back on its bloated, outdated local government structure. With one of the highest numbers of government...
Hands Off Our Initiative Rights: The South Dakota Legislature’s Relentless Attacks on Direct Democracy
Here they go again. The South Dakota Legislature is once again pushing legislation that threatens our long-established initiative rights. This is not the first time—over the past several years, they have repeatedly attempted to restrict the people’s ability to shape...
The Hidden Issues Holding South Dakota Back
Our new Governor represents a welcome return to normalcy in state government. My hope is that he, along with those considering running for the office next year, will begin addressing the systemic issues that have long plagued South Dakota. A Temporary Tenure South...
No Accountability for Fraud in South Dakota Government
State leaders fail to protect public assets South Dakota’s state government has a troubling history of fraud incidents. However, 2024 marked a new low. Investigations last year implicated state employees in schemes that mismanaged or outright stole millions in public...
Study Before Acting on Tax Relief
South Dakota’s Tax Structure South Dakota uses a mix of several different taxes including sales tax and property tax to fund state and local government. The state is known for its low tax environment, particularly when it comes to income taxes, which it and eight...
