Kristi Noem in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
Scholarships for foster kids includes private school tuition
Today, I am announcing the "Stronger Families Scholarships" proposal, which I will be working with you on to provide a new education opportunity for these kids. Any child in the foster care system will have the opportunity to receive up to $4,000 in a
scholarship to help them achieve their full potential, from kindergarten through 12th grade. This money can be used to pay tuition at a private school, pay for tutoring or teaching services, pay for standardized tests or AP exams, and more.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Families & Children:
Expand family leave benefits to 100% of salary for 12 weeks
Currently, the state provides paid family leave benefits at 60% of an employee's salary for 8 weeks. I am proposing that we extend that to 100% of salary for 12 weeks. This new policy won't just cover new births or adoptions--it will also cover taking
care of a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition, or a situation where a spouse is called to active-duty military service. Private sector companies will have the opportunity to be a part of the state's risk pool, as well.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Foreign Policy:
Chinese Communist Party is our greatest external challenge
Perhaps the greatest external challenge facing the United States is the Chinese Communist Party. They are using a popular app called TikTok to gather data. It's possible they could be using the app to gather users' keystrokes--which means the Chinese
Communist Party could have access to the financial information of tens of millions of Americans. This is an unacceptable security threat coming from a nation that hates America. I signed an executive order banning TikTok for state government.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Foreign Policy:
Can't allow Chinese interests to purchase South Dakota land
We all saw what happened to our neighbors to the north--where a Chinese affiliate purchased land near critical infrastructure to our nation's security--we cannot allow that to happen here. We cannot allow Chinese interests to purchase any
South Dakota ag land, much less land near any military base or critical state infrastructure. South Dakota will set the example here, too. Other states are already looking at our legislation with plans to replicate it.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Health Care:
Vaccine mandates stand in the way of business expansion
What we are doing in South Dakota is reverberating across this country and around the world. We would be growing even more if there weren't federal mandates preventing companies from coming--and Biden just extended these mandates last week.
We are in touch with a company in Canada that wants to move their business to the Black Hills. They want to grow their business and improve their quality of life here in our state. The Biden Administration's vaccine mandates are standing in their way.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Health Care:
$1.1M for pregnancy/postpartum care for Medicaid recipients
My budget proposes $1.1 million to help give pregnancy and postpartum care for moms who are Medicaid recipients. Pregnant moms who are at risk of poor birth outcomes will receive intensive care management. This will help moms have a healthy
pregnancy--and this care will extend after birth. This proves our commitment to helping moms and families through whatever situations they may face. We will help them and their babies both before birth and after.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Principles & Values:
South Dakotans build the American Dream by working hard
We are number one in the nation for personal income growth over the past several years. That is how South Dakotans build the American Dream by working hard and earning more than they have before. We have the fastest growth of housing developments.
We have the most family-owned businesses of any state. We have the most registered hunters per-capita of any state. And we were recognized for making the best decisions by the American Legislative Exchange Council. Common Cause explanation:
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a corporate lobbying group that brings together corporate lobbyists and politicians to draft and vote--as equals and behind closed doors--on "model bills" that often benefit the
corporations' bottom line. These model bills, drafted without public input, are then introduced in state legislatures across the country, usually with ALEC's involvement concealed.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Principles & Values:
I believe South Dakota is the freest state in the nation
I believe South Dakota is the freest state in the nation. We fight to defend our constitutional rights. We ensure that every South Dakotan has the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our nation was built on Freedom--but our
constitutional freedoms are under assault from Washington D.C. America needs South Dakota's example of how conservative policies and values make people's lives better. These policies bring success and hope.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Principles & Values:
We're in the greatest nation in the history of the world
We live in the strongest and greatest nation in the history of the world. With that greatness comes unique challenges. But we aren't afraid of challenges.
As President Harry S. Truman famously said, "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
On Tax Reform:
What to do with surplus? My answer is simple: cut taxes
Together, we must continue to build and advance the American Dream. And this legislative session, we will accomplish that.
We will accomplish it by cutting taxes for our people. We continue to have record surpluses. What should we do with our surplus? My answer is simple: Cut taxes and provide relief to South Dakotans.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023