Capitol chaos: Data center divides, missing senator spark historic clash as South Dakota

Lawmakers spar over economic development incentives, nicotine rules and who presides over the Senate as procedural battles stretch hours

PIERRE — Political gamesmanship thrust simmering disputes around data centers, electricity generation, nicotine sales and a long-held constitutional standard in the South Dakota Legislature into the political spotlight this week.

But it’s who didn’t cast any votes from the floor of the state Senate who’s taking the most flak following a historic day at the state Capitol Tuesday.

With the Legislature’s “crossover day” deadline upon lawmakers — that’s the final day for legislation to win approval from the chamber in which it originated — an already heavy calendar stretched into the evening.

Some blame a series of procedural maneuvers. Some blame Piedmont Sen. John Carley’s unannounced and unexplained absence from the Capitol building