Legislature in review: Priorities shift after transition from Noem to Rhoden
Changes span prison funding, property taxes and eminent domain
Gov. Larry Rhoden reset several major state initiatives after the Legislature rejected key proposals from former Gov. Kristi Noem in the 2025 session.
The policy shifts span prison funding, property taxes, and eminent domain as Rhoden navigated a Legislature increasingly influenced by populist, pro-landowner Republicans.
“We're looking forward, not back,” Rhoden spokeswoman Josie Harms told the South Dakota Broadcasters Association in a March 14 email.
Here’s how the legislature and Rhoden pivoted after Noem left office:
Prison funding reset
Noem's prison funding proposal faced direct legislative rejection. Her request for $182 million to fund the $825 million facility failed to gain traction, with lawmakers instead establishing a study panel that was due to report before a July 22 special session.
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