Governor's Column: Make It A Healthy School Year
Now that back-to-school season is here, I know parents have no shortage of items on their to-do lists. You have school supplies to buy, school lunch arrangements to make and new schedules to coordinate. With so much to do, I hope you will still be sure your children are up-to-date on their vaccines.

News Tips
Gov. Dennis Daugaard will be a guest on 1240 AM KCCR with Zach Nelson on Thursday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m. CDT.


Gov. Daugaard Appoints James A. Power As Second Circuit Judge
Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint James A. Power of Sioux Falls as a circuit court judge in South Dakota’s Second Circuit Court.


Gov. Daugaard Adds Inauguration Fix To Special Session Proclamation
Gov. Dennis Daugaard today issued an executive proclamation, calling a special session of the South Dakota State Legislature.


News Tips
On Monday, Lt. Gov. Matt Michels will speak at the 125th Anniversary Open House at Hub City, Inc. in Aberdeen.

Governor's Column: The Fast Track To Bright Futures
With the first day of classes on the horizon, I encourage our high school students to take advantage of dual credit courses this school year.


Gov. Daugaard Calls On Communities To Engage In Suicide Prevention Month
As the number of recorded suicides in the state continues to escalate, Gov. Dennis Daugaard is calling on South Dakotans to join the fight by participating in Suicide Prevention Month in September.


Gov. Daugaard Fills Three Legislative Vacancies
Gov. Dennis Daugaard today announced that he will fill three vacancies in the South Dakota State Legislature.


Gov. Daugaard Calls Special Session For Sept. 12
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has called a special legislative session to consider legislation that would expedite implementation of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. and allow the state to enforce the obligation of remote sellers to collect and remit sales tax.


Governor's Column: The 2018 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
It’s rally time in South Dakota. What started in 1938 as a single motorcycle race in a small town has grown into one of the largest and best-known motorcycle gatherings in the world.

News Tips
Gov. Dennis Daugaard will be speaking at the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Meeting at the Holiday Inn City Center, Sioux Falls.


Governor's Column: A New System To Serve ALL Of Our Students
Nearly 50 cents of every state tax dollar goes to education. That includes funding for our public universities, technical schools, and the state Department of Education, but the majority is used to fund our K-12 system.

News Tips
The South Dakota Board of Technical Education will meet in the Lake Area Technical Institute Student Center, fourth level, 1201 Arrow Ave., in Watertown.


Governor's Column: Promises Kept
We had a lot of good news to share this week, all related to South Dakota’s outstanding financial condition. On Monday, we announced the close of the fiscal year with a surplus. On Tuesday, we got word that S&P is maintaining our AAA status.

News Tips
The Aeronautics Commission of the South Dakota Department of Transportation will hold a meeting in the Commission Room of the Becker-Hansen building located at 700 E. Broadway Ave.


South Dakota Earns Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the State of South Dakota by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment.


South Dakota Maintains AAA With S&P
Last week Standard & Poor Global announced that it has reaffirmed South Dakota’s AAA Issuer Default Rating with a stable outlook.


South Dakota Ends Fiscal Year with Surplus
South Dakota state government closed the 2018 budget year on June 30 marking the seventh consecutive year with a surplus. The state general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2018 ended with lower expenditures and higher revenues than budgeted.


Governor's Column: Bringing Our Alcohol Laws To The 21st Century
When I speak with business prospects, I often praise our common sense regulatory environment. I emphasize that we don’t place unnecessary hurdles before our citizens or entrepreneurs in South Dakota. Success is allowed here and government doesn’t get in the way.

Governor's Column: Bringing Our Alcohol Laws To The 21st Century
When I speak with business prospects, I often praise our common sense regulatory environment. I emphasize that we don’t place unnecessary hurdles before our citizens or entrepreneurs in South Dakota. Success is allowed here and government doesn’t get in the way.


Lt. Governor's Column: SD National Guard Leading The Nation
One of the greatest honors of serving as lieutenant governor is getting to work with the South Dakota National Guard. Our Guard members are some of the most dedicated, capable and reliable men and women I know. Under Adjutant General Tim Reisch's leadership, we have an exceptional group of soldiers and airmen serving our nation and state.


President Orders Flags At Half-Staff For Annapolis Victims
President Donald Trump has called for flags at half-staff out of respect for the victims whose lives were taken by the violence perpetrated in Annapolis, Maryland, last week.


Governor's Column: Finding Enjoyable, Well-Paying Work
Work is an important part of personal fulfillment. True, most of us work because we must – to provide for ourselves and our families – but a job nevertheless gives us purpose. And when it’s work we enjoy that pays enough, well, that’s the goal.

SD Retirement System Receives National Recognition
The Society of Actuaries has selected the South Dakota Retirement System as a winning Retirement 20/20 Model, awarding the state with a $10,000 prize.

News Tips
The South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council Board will be holding a meeting via conference call on Monday, July 2.


Western Governors Release Workforce Report
The Western Governors’ Association released its report on workforce development today detailing steps states can take to address the skills gap.


Governor's Column: A Win For States' Rights
It’s been a historic week for South Dakota. On Thursday, June 21, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., ruling in our favor 5-4.

News Tips
Gov. Dennis Daugaard will host the Western Governors’ Annual Meeting in Rapid City. Members of the media are invited to attend a press conference with the governors on Monday, June 25, at 12:30 p.m. MDT at the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza, as well as the workforce development initiative panel and other portions of the meeting.


U.S. Supreme Court Rules In South Dakota’s Favor
The United States Supreme Court this morning announced its decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., ruling in the state’s favor, 5-4, in a decision authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy.


Gov. Daugaard To Appoint David Mickelson To Board Of Regents
Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint David Mickelson of Sioux Falls to the South Dakota Board of Regents.


First Lady Invites Families To Oahe Days Book Walk
First Lady Linda Daugaard is inviting children to participate in a book walk at Steamboat Park on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. CDT. The book walk will be part of the Oahe Days Arts and Music Festival.


Governor's Column: SD's Strong Foundation
This month marks the 110th anniversary of the laying of the State Capitol cornerstone. The four-foot by four-foot Ortonville granite cube, which features an engraving of the State Seal on the south side, was laid in a Masonic ceremony on June 25, 1908, two years before workmen completed the building.

Gov. Daugaard Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For Spring Flooding
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration to help three northern South Dakota counties recover from spring flooding that did more than $3.1 million in damage to public property.

News Tips
Gov. Dennis Daugaard will be a guest on 1240 AM KCCR with Zach Nelson.


Gov. Daugaard Orders State Capitol Flags At Half-Staff For Former Rep. Albert Kocer
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is ordering flags to fly half-staff at the State Capitol on Monday, June 25, to honor the life of former state Rep. Albert Kocer.


DENR Secretary Urges Rollback Of Corps’ Water Supply Rule
Secretary Steve Pirner, head of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, appeared in front of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight today to testify about the Corps of Engineers’ attempt to charge for surplus water.

South Dakota Maintains AAA With Fitch
Today Fitch announced that it has reaffirmed South Dakota’s AAA Issuer Default Rating with a stable outlook.


Governor's Column: Three More Trail of Governors Statues
June is a beautiful time to visit our Capital City. The flowers at the State Capitol are in bloom, the sun shines brightly on the Fighting Stallions and the veterans memorials, and fishing and sport boats flock to the Missouri River.

News Tips
On Friday, June 15, Gov. Dennis Daugaard will speak at the Trail of Governors ceremony for the unveiling of the bronze statues of governors McMaster, Sharpe and Herseth in the Capitol Rotunda.


Governor's Column: Some Environmental Markers
Growing up on a farm, my sisters and I were raised to leave things better than we found them. This meant taking care of the land, planting trees, maintaining our barn and treating the animals well.

News Tips
On Monday, June 4, Gov. Dennis Daugaard will join local leaders for a Discovery District project announcement at University Center in Sioux Falls.


Gov. Daugaard Requests Flags At Half-Staff To Honor Rep. Jim Schaefer
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has requested that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. until sunset on Saturday, June 2, to honor the life of state Rep. Jim Schaefer, of Kennebec, on the day of his funeral.


State Rep. Jim Schaefer Dies
State Rep. Jim Schaefer of Kennebec died yesterday while working on his ranch. Schaefer had served in the State House of Representatives since 2011.

Mike Jaspers to Depart as Secretary of Agriculture
South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Mike Jaspers announced today he will leave his position as secretary of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, effective July 1, 2018.


Don Kirkegaard to Depart as Secretary of Education
South Dakota Secretary of Education Don Kirkegaard announced today he will leave his position as secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education in July.


Governor Requests Flags At Half-Staff On Memorial Day Morning
Gov. Dennis Daugaard asks that flags be flown at half-staff on the morning of Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, in observance of fallen military service members.

Governor's Column: In The Spirit Of Dr. Mead
In the late 19th Century, Dr. Leonard Mead served as the superintendent of South Dakota’s hospital for the mentally ill. Dr. Mead was known for treating his patients with dignity and he had a kind of compassion that wasn’t common enough for the time.

News Tips
Gov. Dennis Daugaard will speak at the South Dakota Boys State Convention at Northern State University in Aberdeen.


Gov. Daugaard To Appoint Judge Mark E. Salter To South Dakota Supreme Court
Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint Mark E. Salter of Sioux Falls to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Salter is a circuit court judge in the Second Judicial Circuit.


Sustained Effort Needed to Reduce Infant Mortality
South Dakota’s infant mortality rate increased in 2017, according to new data released today by the Department of Health. There were 12,128 births in 2017 and 94 infant deaths for a rate of 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births.