Gov. Kristi Noem touts education savings accounts, ag transition program and border security in 100th State of the State address

Governor Kristi Noem delivered the State of the State address to a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature on Jan. 14, 2025, outlining policy priorities that included education savings accounts, a state-supported transition of an agricultural succession program, expanded tribal law enforcement training, workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, and border security concerns. She also said she has been asked to serve in a federal post, which could lead to a leadership transition at the state level.

Noem proposed education savings accounts (ESAs) and said the administration will work with House majority leader Representative Odenbach and Senate leadership to institute the program. "We're going to be working with majority leaders, Odenbach and Melhoff to institute education savings accounts for South Dakota kids," she said. Noem said ESAs would "provide families greater opportunities to…