Noem's Top 10 list for State of the State lists accomplishments but remains light on policy

PIERRE — What's ahead for the state of South Dakota throughout the next 12 months?

That remains the question after Gov. Kristi Noem gave her annual State of the State address Tuesday afternoon to kick off the 99th Legislative Session. The speech was light on policy and highlighted the accomplishments the state has seen throughout the Governor's five years in office.

Noem chose to do a Top 10 list of the ways South Dakota is free, akin to her inauguration address in 2023, including the freedom of education, the freedom for so-called second chances, and ultimately, the freedom to work as modeled after her "Freedom Works Here" workforce campaign.

"I will continue to challenge the status quo, push innovation and look for out-of-the-box solutions," Noem said. "Look at everything our state has accomplished in the last five years. We would not be where we are today, experiencing the growth that we have been for several years, if we had not figured out how to keep the momentum of our success going."

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While Republicans leadership in the House and Senate agreed the speech has set the Legislature up for a successful session, some were left wanting more.

It's already promised to be a busy session with lawmakers setting their own agenda through various bills they hope end up on the Governor's desk. By Tuesday morning, more than 130 bills had been filed and were waiting to be assigned to committee.

Freedom works for families and workforce, according to Noem

From highlighting outdoor and hunting opportunities to expanding workforce licensures, Noem used part of her 40-minute speech to promote that the American way of life is alive and well in South Dakota.

But the state can do better to help protect the lives of mothers and children, from the time pregnancy occurs through the first 1,000 days of a child's life.

"Being pro-life means valuing the child’s life before their birth and throughout their life," Noem said. "It also means valuing and protecting that mother’s life."

In this vein, the state's Bright Start program, which helps expecting mothers find resources, will expand as Noem referenced in her budget address given in December. Additionally, mothers on Medicaid will receive care coordination through the Department of Social Service's Pregnancy Health Home.

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But Noem's focus on child wellness wasn't enough for Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, who said the state doesn't do enough for childcare.

"We do nothing for childcare in this state. Nothing," she said. "It's all federally funded. And that's really a miss on our part."

Sen. Helene Duhamel, R-Rapid City, noted childcare is a workforce issue and she hoped there would be more discussion about that topic during the 38 days of the legislative session.

Children are only part of the equation when it comes to the state's workforce needs. There's also a need for qualified adults to fill vacant positions within various trade industries. The 2023 Legislature already passed bills that recognize certain professional licensures, and Noem's built a successful apprenticeship program.

Noem capped off her top 10 list with the state's controversial "Freedom Works Here" workforce campaign, saying it's been wildly successful at targeting workers the state desperately needs, from plumbers to electricians.

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She noted state licensing boards have seen a number of increases in out-of-state workers applying for professional licenses. There's been a 78% increase in plumbers, a 44% increase in electricians and a 43% increase in accountants.

"Our labor force has grown by more than 10,000 people in just the last year," Noem said. "Our license recognition bill combined with the microphone of Freedom Works Here is a powerful tandem to fill these much-needed jobs."

Workforce includes making room for those previously incarcerated

Noem noted the new men's prison, which will be located in Lincoln County despite opposition from landowners and the community, will be able to offer more programing for those incarcerated to receive workforce training and treatment for alcohol and drug addictions.

"But if South Dakotans do get involved in drugs or another aspect of crime, that should not be the final word," Noem said. "Their punishment should match their crime, but they should also have the opportunity to rehabilitate and become better, more capable members of our society."

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She recognized the success of South Dakota's problem solving courts, taking time to welcome Leta Wise Spirit, a recent graduate of the program program. Noem said the state is prepared to do more to help those exiting the prison system.

A new bill will offer "second chance" trade licensing to those with criminal backgrounds.

"We need more plumbers, more electricians, more welders, and an unrelated criminal past shouldn’t stop qualified applicants from filling these roles," she said.

Lawmakers set for session

House Majority Leader Will Mortenson said while Noem may not have gone into great detail about the policies she recommended for 2024, he believes there will still be a robust policy package for lawmakers.

He's more interested in looking at the budget process and what that means for the state.

"The governor already set us on the path on that," he said, referencing Noem's tighter budget ask of lawmakers. "Her policy proposals, I think, might be more limited than in prior years, but it's not that she's not out setting the tone of the budget and some of the core major issues."

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Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree said Gov. Noem continues to be focused on South Dakota's economic needs, including workforce, and that pleased him.

The Madison Republican noted policy doesn't just come from the governor, but also from the 105 lawmakers who make up the South Dakota legislature.

"We've been working really hard on that and we've got many things that line up right with that," he said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Kristi Noem delivers 2024 South Dakota State of the State address