Gov. Larry Rhoden touched on a wide array of policy initiatives he'd like to see the Legislature focus on in his first-ever State of the State address.
While many lawmakers in the Republican-dominated Legislature say they're receptive to Rhoden's message, they're also recognizing it's a long path to get a deal done in Pierre — particularly during an electoin year.
Rhoden addressed a joint session Tuesday to kick off the 101st legislative session. It was the first he gave as governor. Former Gov. Kristi Noem delivered the speech last year before she took a position in President Donald Trump's cabinet, after which Rhoden assumed the state's top job.
Rhoden began by discussing the importance of convening as lawmakers, giving nods to legislative studies, governor-appointed task forces and September’s special session to vote on a prison.
Watch, read Rhoden's full 2026 State of the State address
“I’m talking about convening because it’s important for you all to understand my leadership style. I don’t need to be the smartest man in the room . It’s more important to me to get the right people in the room; people with different perspectives or focused on solution,” Rhoden said. “Shortly after becoming governor, I pledged to all of you to a cornerstone of my administration which would be civility. I believe we achieved that last year, so let’s all recommit to civility this legislative session.”
This comes during a session many believe could be highly political given the number of campaign announcements and endorsements since last session.
Rhoden addressed key issues lawmakers are expected to tackle over the next three months. He promoted his property tax bill and announced town halls around the state on the issue. He affirmed his support of the governor-controlled future fund and promoted the future of the national security industry in South Dakota. The governor also threw his support behind state-led economic development, a contested topic last session.
“Economic growth is a good thing, and we should encourage it. But growth should not be reckless,” Rhoden said. “We should be bold enough to seize opportunity and wise enough to prepare for the future in a responsible way.”
Rhoden also spoke on the Rural Health Transformation Plan. The state was awarded $189 million in federal funding for its plan over the next five years. He said it fits South Dakota.
“This plan was built with extensive input from rural communities, the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board, and health care providers and other stakeholders across the state. They told us what they need, and this plan delivers it. South Dakota is competing with every other state, and in future years, the federal government will reward states that move quickly. We could be the first state in the nation to authorize this funding.”
Rhoden told the chamber he would “love it if this bill was the first to reach his desk” for a signature.
Any bills Rhoden would sign this session must first make it through the legislative process. Legislative leaders say it can be challenging to gain the support of a majority of the 105-member body.
Republican Senate Majority leader Jim Mehlhaff said it’s never as simple as a rubber stamp.
“It’s harder than herding cats, it’s like herding wildcats sometimes," Mehlhaff said. "There’s a diversity of opinion and I think as (Governor Rhoden) started off – civility is prime.”
That diversity of opinion cuts deep in what is expected to be one of the most contentious debates of 2026 — property taxes. Rhoden laid out his proposal on the matter, a replacement of a counties share of property tax with a half-cent sales tax.
Mehlhaff said there are other options on the table.
“When you’re talking about meaningful property tax (relief), you’re talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. I think the only way you get there is by reforming the way that we fund education and special education.”
As of Tuesday, there are over 20 proposals attacking the property tax question, many of which came from a legislative study last summer.
Other hotly debated questions came up in the speech too. Touting both the state’sand his own pro-life record, Rhoden proposed a crackdown on mail-order abortion medicines.
Sioux Falls Democrat Kadyn Wittman said there is a strong appetite for more conversations on the abortion debate.
“More than anything my reaction was disappointment the governor would use such blatant misinformation and mistruth around abortion medication in South Dakota," Wittman said. "If there is appetite for a conversation around it, I’m hopeful we’ll see it this year.”
The State of the State speech marks the beginning of the legislative session, which runs through mid-March.
