MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Governor Noem made a stop in Mitchell on Wednesday for a bill signing and townhall. In Mitchell Senior High School library packed with constituents, teachers, students, Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden, several members of her staff, and a handful of state legislators, Noem signed House Bill 1022, which makes an appropriation so that the Department of Education can continue to provide professional development in literacy to teachers.
The governor also signed Senate Bill 127, which establishes a minimum teacher salary and revises the requirements pertaining to average teacher compensation. makes an appropriation so that the Department of Education can continue to provide professional development in literacy to teachers.
Following the bill signing, the governor talked about some of the bills her office proposed this session, including a bill to prevent ownership of South Dakota ag land by six foreign countries – China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. She also talked about a bill that combats antisemitism by considering its definition when investigating unfair or discriminatory practices into law. Noem stressed the importance of standing with Israel. She told the crowd that since that bill was signed into law, South Dakota has been overwhelmed by death threats due to its official stance with Israel.
During the townhall portion of the event, the governor was asked about a series of bills regarding pipelines and landowners’ rights that were passed this legislative session. During the exchange, Noem emphasized that regardless of her stance on pipelines, she cares about a fair process. She added that “we have an opportunity to participate in economic development that goes forward….that this is something that our ethanol plants, our farmers, and our landowners and that people here in South Dakota have an opportunity to participate in if they weigh in and make their voices heard.” She continued by noting that legislators go to Pierre representing their districts and have debates, take in facts and information, and have it all presented. They then give the governor a bill, and she decides whether it is constitutional or not.
