PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Kristi Noem used her second State of the State speech to lay out her vision for growing the state’s economy.
She touted the potential of a home-grown cybersecurity force and a continued focus on programs to broaden the state’s agriculture industry.
She said her solution to the state’s perennial budget crunch is to grow the state economy.
Noem said she wants to find “extra flexibility” in the budget this year to fund pay raises for teachers, state employees, and medical providers.
Lawmakers said finding the room in the state budget for the pay raises is a top priority in the legislative session that started Tuesday.
