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Governor-appointed Rep. John Schubeck visits Beresford; flags AI data centers, school vouchers and property-tax proposals
Summary
State Rep. John Schubeck, recently appointed to fill a legislative vacancy, met with the Beresford City Council to introduce himself, solicit local priorities and preview several issues expected in the upcoming session, including AI data centers, proposed school vouchers and property-tax relief.
Representative John Schubeck, the governor's appointee to a vacant seat in the South Dakota House, visited the Beresford City Council meeting to introduce himself and hear local concerns.
Schubeck told the council he was appointed Sept. 17 to fill the seat left by the late Representative Richard Asgaard and said he would run in the next election cycle. He said the Legislature's budget proposals had not yet been released but warned the overall state budget was likely to be leaner than last year, noting "roughly a 2% decrease on some specific parts of the budget." He added he expected several major topics to appear in the coming session.
The representative highlighted three issues he expects to see debated in Pierre: incentives or limits for large AI data centers, proposed school-voucher legislation and property-tax relief. "AI data centers ... use a lot of electricity, use a lot of water," Schubeck said, summarizing concerns and questions lawmakers will face over whether to offer incentives or let low-tax policies attract projects. On vouchers, he said, "I'm against that one," saying he was concerned about the impact on small local schools. On property taxes, he said the governor planned to promote relief but that proposals and details were not yet available.
Council members raised local priorities during the discussion. Mayor Seeley's initiative on daycare and preschool access in small towns drew explicit attention; Schubeck called it "top of mind" for the community and encouraged the council to forward specifics he could carry to the Legislature. Council members also discussed rural housing needs and recent local development at the town's north end; Schubeck said he was in contact with federal and regional staffers, and that rural housing was on his radar.
Schubeck said he would return to local meetings when more bill text and budget specifics were available and invited the council to share items they wanted him to address at the Legislature.
Ending
The council did not take formal action on state matters. Schubeck's visit was a chance to gather local priorities and to preview statewide bills he said he expects to see during the next session.
