The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from South Dakota

Governors Promote Employment for People With Disabilities

A yearlong initiative at the National Governors Association examines the roles that states and businesses can play in finding jobs for people with disabilities.

States Tackle School Safety After Sandy Hook Shootings

At least 20 states are considering bills that would allow some teachers to be armed. Others are focusing on emergency plans and mental health checks.

The 5 States Most Vulnerable to Sequestration’s Education Cuts

Automatic federal budget cuts will slash more than $1 billion in K-12 education dollars this year, paring everything from Title I money for low-income students to school improvement initiatives.

States with Heavy Military Presence Hurt Hardest

The White House published a 50-state list of potential impacts from the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. States that rely heavily on military spending would be hurt worst.

South Dakota State of the State Address 2013

PIERRE, South Dakota Jan. 8 Following is the prepared text for Gov. Dennis Daugaard's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: South Dakota

How well is South Dakota protecting kids from tooth decay?

Report: Death Penalty Becoming “Irrelevant”

This year marked more decline in the usage of the death penalty, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: South Dakota

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in South Dakota

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Three of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in South Dakota and hold 80 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in South Dakota may be paying.

Wind Subsidies Raise a Storm in Heartland States

Wind-energy has been a booming industry in many states the past few years. But the federal tax credits that have helped fuel that growth is likely to disappear in a few months.

Pennington County, South Dakota Election Costs

In Pennington County, South Dakota, election costs rose between 2010 and 2012. The change in cost, a jump from $6.21 per vote in a 2010 election to $7.10 per vote in the 2012 June election, may be partly attributable to an increase in absentee voting.

Public Safety in South Dakota

An overview of public safety in South Dakota.

Colorado Theater Shooting Revives Gun Rights Debate

The nation’s latest mass shooting has revived debate over its patchwork of gun laws. But advocates on both sides of the issue expect that public shock and outrage over the killing of 12 people at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater will do little to shift momentum in statehouses and on Capitol Hill toward harsher restri

Rising Cost of Incarceration Alarms South Dakota Officials

A South Dakota committee will examine rising prison costs and the state’s exceptionally high lockup rate in an effort to reform the criminal justice system and save money.

Widening Gap Update: South Dakota

South Dakota paid its full annual pension contribution four times from 2005 to 2010. The system was 96 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $291 million funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded. The state also had a $71 million bill for retiree health care costs, none of which was funded, well below the 8 percent national average in 2010.

South Dakota Vote Centers

Recently, Sioux Falls, South Dakota held its second election using vote centers, which allows residents to cast ballots at any voting location, regardless of where they live.

Time Served in South Dakota

The average offender in South Dakota released in 2009 served 1.3 years in custody, 24% less than the average offender released in 1990.

Fight Over Gun Restrictions Heats Up

State and federal lawmakers continue to push for fewer gun restrictions in spite of the national conversation surrounding gun violence following recent school shootings in Ohio and California, and the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla.

Congressional Wrangling Leaves Sales Tax Deduction in Question

TODAY'S TAKE: Residents of seven states without an individual income tax are watching the budget debate on Capitol Hill to see whether they will be able to keep writing off state sales taxes on goods they purchase.

In South Dakota, Plenty of Jobs, Not Enough Workers

South Dakota has so many open private-sector jobs that its governor recently signed a contract with Manpower, the international staffing firm, to recruit 1,000 workers from other states to fill them.

South Dakota Weighs Ban on Public Sector Collective Bargaining

MANAGEMENT BEAT: As the debate on a new labor law heats up, the bill's sponsor unexpectedly switches sides.

Obama Decision Denies Keystone XL Permit

TODAY'S TAKE: A controversial oil pipeline project is put on hold as its route through Nebraska remains a subject of fierce debate.

South Dakota State of the State Address 2012

PIERRE, S.D. - Jan. 11 - Following is the text of Gov. Dennis Daugaard's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Lieutenant Governor Michels, Mr. Speaker, members of the State Senate and State House of Representatives, Chief Justice Gilbertson, Justices of the Supreme Court, other constitutional officers

South Dakota Governor Pitches Balanced Budget Amendment

TAX AND BUDGET BEAT: South Dakota already balances its budget each year, but Governor Dennis Daugaard thinks his state would be better off with the requirement explicitly in the state constitution.

Election Websites: South Dakota

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Credit Card Companies Fuel South Dakota Surplus

ECONOMY & BUSINESS BEAT: Many credit card firms make their home in South Dakota, which does not limit the interest rates they can charge their customers. While the sector has been hit hard recently amid tougher federal regulations, new state tax collection figures suggest it may be coming back, helping South Dakota in the process.

Report: Six States Changing the Way Health Care is Governed

HEALTH BEAT: Fiscally strapped states are using more managed care, cutting doctors' fees and limiting drugs and medical services to contain rising Medicaid costs. A few are taking a broader approach to health care spending.

Budget Cuts to Programs for Elderly May Cost Money Later

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Programs for the elderly are cut back in California and Illinois ... legislators quarrel with the governor over reductions to senior citizen care in New Jersey ... state monitoring of some elder facilities is eliminated in New Hampshire, and other social policy news.

Abortion Laws Blocked in Indiana, Kansas and South Dakota

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: States enacted a record number of restrictions on abortion this year, but some of the most-closely watched new laws are on hold until the courts determine if they are legal.

Measuring Transportation Investments: South Dakota

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: South Dakota

South Dakota meets five of the eight policy benchmarks aimed at improving children’s dental health, one more than it met in 2010.

South Carolina Dials Up Pressure Over Boeing Plant

TODAY'S TAKE: South Carolina officials are complaining about an effort by the National Labor Relations Board to derail a $1 billion Boeing plant in their state, saying the NLRB would be undermining free enterprise.

Utah Lawmakers Could Override Transportation Veto

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Utah's governor faces a rare veto override as lawmakers try to designate sales tax money for transportation … New Jersey won't use a private firm to collect tolls after all … A key U.S. senator suggests states will have to raise gas taxes-not depend on the feds-for new revenue, and other transportation news.

Road Funding a Big Issue in Contest for Governor of West Virginia

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Highways emerge as a crucial topic in West Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial primary … Atlanta area officials have a long wish list of transit projects … Kansas and Texas move forward with plans for higher speed limits, and other transportation news.

South Dakota State of the State Address 2011

PIERRE, S.D. - Jan. 11 - Following is the text of Gov. Dennis Daugaard's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Click here to hear the address. Lieutenant Governor Michels, Mr. Speaker, members of the legislature, Chief Justice Gilbertson, Justices of the Supreme Court, constitutional officers and fellow South

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

TRANSITION WATCH: Jerry Stermer returns three months after he resigned in Illinois, charges of nepotism in South Dakota and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

States Test Whether Public Pension Benefits Given Can Be Taken Away

Most changes made to shore up state pension funds have been aimed at new employees. Now, three states are targeting current retirees - a group that has been considered off limits.

Five More Governor's Races Set for Fall

TODAY'S TAKE: Voters in five states chose their major-party candidates for governor on Tuesday (June 8), while the Republican contenders in a sixth - South Carolina - are headed for a runoff. Among the prominent headlines: Nevada's Jim Gibbons became the first sitting governor in state history to be rejected in a primary, and former Iowa governor Terry Branstad is one step closer to a return.

Tuesday's Primaries: What to Watch

TODAY'S TAKE: In the busiest primary election day of the year, voters in 10 states will go to the polls Tuesday (June 8) to decide a wide range of questions from whether Maine will reform its tax code to which Republican will face off against Jerry Brown in the California governor's race. Stateline outlines key themes to watch in the state-level contests.

East Coast Governors Split on Drilling

TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama's announcement Wednesday (March 31) that the federal government would allow new offshore oil and gas drilling, primarily off the East Coast, received a mixed reaction from governors of the affected states. Some saw it as long-overdue while others raised economic and environmental concerns. But the reactions did not break down along party lines.

Health Care Wrangling Could Delay State Aid

TODAY'S TAKE: Federal health care reform has been a divisive issue for states, but for some governors seeking immediate budget relief from Capitol Hill, the wrangling over the legislation is causing uncertainty.

Summary of the South Dakota State of the State Address

In his final state of the state address, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) called for lawmakers to help carry on the state's progress in education and the economy, saying South Dakota's low 5 percent unemployment rate shows the state is heading in the right direction.

South Dakota State of the State Address 2010

PIERRE, S.D. - Jan. 12 - Following is the text of Gov. Mike Rounds' (R) 2010 state of the state address: Thank you all, very, very much for the kind welcome. Lieutenant Governor Daugaard, Mr. Speaker, members of the State Senate and State House of Representatives, Mr. Chief Justice Gilbertson, Justices of the Supr

Report: 11 States Emerging From Recession

It's going to be a long, hard climb out of the current economic downturn for many recession-ridden states hit hard by the housing crash, unemployment and shrinking revenues. But as the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report.

One in 31: South Dakota

One in 40 adults is under correctional control in South Dakota.

Tracking the Recession: How Layoffs Affect One Small Town

The story of the recession often is told in dry statistics, such as the rising unemployment rate. But the downturn has a human side, too, as a laid-off factory worker in Philip, S.D., will tell you.

Slumping Economy Hits Prosperous States

With the fall in energy and farm prices, many well-off states are finding they can't escape the national recession.

State Budget Gaps Balloon to $97 Billion

Still reeling from high gas prices this summer and plummeting retirement savings this fall, Americans will soon be feeling the pinch in other ways - from increased tuition to potentially higher taxes, as states try to close some $97 billion in budget gaps over the next two years.

Latest News From State Delegations

If vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin looked at the Florida delegation Wednesday night, she would've seen nothing but women. The male members of the delegation decided to give up their seats to the female delegates, alternates, staffers and guests, reports Bob Dart of The Palm Beach Press .

Ultrasound at Center of State Abortion Wars

A new Oklahoma law slated to take effect Aug. 1 requires doctors to show a woman considering abortion an ultrasound image of her fetus and recite details of its development. Experts expect a slew of similar statutes next year as abortion foes push states to require the procedure for all abortions.