Gov. Larry Roden lays out priorities including prison rebuild, property tax talks and a reset with tribes

Gov. Larry Roden on the floor of the South Dakota Statehouse in Pierre delivered his first address as the state's 34th governor, telling lawmakers he will prioritize replacing the state's aging men's prison, address property tax concerns and pursue policies he described as keeping South Dakota "strong, safe and free." Roden also urged renewed engagement with tribal leaders and said his administration will pursue work requirements tied to Medicaid expansion under Amendment F.

Why it matters: Roden's speech set the early policy tone for his administration and signaled areas he expects the Legislature to act on in a tight budget year, including capital spending and proposals that could affect Medicaid recipients, schools and property owners.

Roden said the penitentiary is in urgent need of replacement, describing the facility as deteriorated: "It is gothic inside," and saying the state is "double bunking in tiny cells built for one person." He said the state has…