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 set money aside for a new facility and that "this is the year to finish the job." He did not present specific financing details in the address.

On health-care benefits, Roden said his administration will pursue work requirements for some recipients of Medicaid expansion enacted under Amendment F: "My department of social services will work with the Trump administration to get the ball rolling on work requirements for the recipients of Medicaid expansion," he said. He said CareerLink resources should help people find jobs and described social supports as a "hand up" rather than a way of life.

Roden expressed support for education savings accounts that legislative leaders have proposed and said he will attempt to ensure both public school families and homeschooling families are "not harmed" by the initiative. He also said he will convene House and Senate leadership and other stakeholders to pursue property tax solutions, describing property tax relief as an item he has long worked on.

On criminal justice and public safety he said hiring more police is preferable to increasing penalties: "The best way to fight crime is to hire more officers, not to increase penalties," he said, adding that building more prisons only follows from increasing penalties.

Roden said he will press for an administration that is "open and responsive," pledging to make himself or a cabinet member available for legislative meetings and to respond to subpoenas and legislative inquiries. He called for a "fresh start" with tribal governments and referenced a recent local resolution welcoming the outgoing governor's return to a reservation as a constructive step. He said he would not announce a new lieutenant governor at the joint session, but described the qualities he seeks in a choice.

The address included personal biography and family remarks; Roden referenced his roots as a fourth-generation South Dakotan, his time in the South Dakota National Guard and his years in the Legislature. He closed by asking lawmakers and citizens to "pray for me and my family" and reiterated the administration's themes of civility and collaboration.

The speech contained broad policy signposts rather than detailed proposals. Roden said he would not submit a separate budget but would participate in an "open budget conversation" and work with the state's budget office on options to restore some proposed cuts while acknowledging that budgeting is a zero-sum process.

Roden's remarks followed formal introductions by President Pro Tem Chris Carr and Speaker Hanson and were preceded by an invocation from Rev. Craig Wexler. Broadcasters Lori Walsh and Lee Strobinger of SDPB previewed the event on their live broadcast prior to the governor's address.

Roden's address did not include votes or formal actions by the Legislature; subsequent floor business included committee reports and the passage of several bills (see "Votes at a glance" article).