Gov. Larry Rhoden: Time to 'reset' relations with South Dakota lawmakers, tribes, press

In first-ever legislative address, 34th governor acknowledged strains under former Gov. Kristi Noem

Gov. Larry Rhoden is flanked by his chief of staff, Mackenzie Decker (left) and Ian Fury, director of communications in the governor’s office. Leading them down the Capitol rotunda stairs is a member of Rhoden’s security team. (Joe Sneve/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — The similarities between South Dakota’s new governor and his predecessor are plentiful — particularly when it comes to their conservative ideologies.

But Gov. Larry Rhoden on Tuesday, during his first-ever address to the South Dakota Legislature, promised to bring a collaborative and civility-minded style to the governor’s office.

READ: Gov. Larry Rhoden’s address to the Legislature

“As a former legislator, I remember how frustrating it could be when communication broke down between the Governor’s Office and the Legislature,” the Union Center statesman said during his 25-minute speech to a joint session of the state House and Senate at the Capitol. “I promise you that I’m not going to let that happen.”

That call for cooperation and mutual respect between the state and the Legislature, as well as South Dakota’s nine Native American tribes and the news media, brought an eruption of applause from lawmakers, state employees, lobbyists, and journalists who filled the House chambers where the address took place.

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(Joe Sneve/The Dakota Scout)