As legislative season nears, Governor Larry Rhoden is making a case for his priorities.
After speaking to the state land surveyor’s convention in Deadwood, Rhoden said it’s time to buckle down and get to work on upcoming policy.
“The number one priority is getting a balanced budget passed by the legislature," Rhoden said. "(We) presented our budget a few weeks ago at the budget address. Property tax relief has been another issue that’s been high on everybody’s radar. A number of different bills have been introduced. We’ve introduced the bill to allow for individual counties to opt-in to a proposal for property tax relief.”
State law mandates the government balance the budget every year.
However, some proposals turned heads during Rhoden’s first budget address. Despite this, the governor said he’s sticking to his guns.
“I feel pretty positive," Rhoden said. "I think the majority of the legislators understand the situation we’re in and the tough farm economy as the reason revenues are down.”
Some lawmakers and lobbyists have balked at the increase in deposits to the state rainy day fund while also holding salaries for the ‘Big 3’ – teachers, healthcare workers and state employees – flat.
Ultimately, the governor’s budget is a suggestion, and lawmakers have final say on its contents.
Considering South Dakota’s Republican supermajority, much of what gets accomplished over the next ten weeks will come down to discussions in the closed Republican caucus. With faction politics very real in the state, Rhoden acknowledged the diversity of opinion as a challenge.
“You’re dealing with 105 legislators who represent 105 ideas on what they want to see move forward," Rhoden said. "So, that’s a big part of the legislative process. We do a lot of things right in South Dakota and state government. We have a good process, but it’s pretty arduous to bring 105 people together and come up with one agenda.”
The state legislative session begins Tuesday, January 13, 2026.