to the Legislature.
“I’m working on
a balanced budget
without raising taxes,”
she said. “And we
have several pieces of
legislation that we’re
getting done.”
Noem has laid
out a number of
areas she wants to
address during her
administration. She
spoke to the Press
& Dakotan about
this issue during a
November stop in
Yankton.
Those areas include more vocational programs and other
educational opportunities, in turn benefiting workforce development.
Agriculture will continue to remain a top priority, she said.
In addition, she sees herself provide an important face in representing
the state in trade talks, business recruitment and other official
capacities.
“The governor is the salesperson-in-chief, who will go out and
promote our state,” she said. “My experiences are very different. I have
started and run a business. I have been a manager and a boss. I have
served in the Legislature in leadership and understand how federal
dollars impact our state. I hold a unique perspective that we’ve never
had in the governor’s office.”
During her political career, Noem has also targeted the importance
of social programs and quality of life. She has spoken out on issues
such as drug and alcohol abuse, which in turn often leads to crime and
imprisonment, and the growing problem of human trafficking.
Noem has also spoken out on the importance of mental health
issues, including needed funding and staffing at the Human Services
Center in Yankton.
In addition, Noem has emphasized the importance of partnering
to make the most of state and federal dollars. At the same time,
she stressed her record of standing up for South Dakota’s rights,
particularly in dealing with federal agencies.
As governor, she plans to work with initiatives to protect South
Dakota’s resources. Those issues range from improving habitat to
fighting Missouri River sedimentation.
As governor, Noem is drawing upon her family for assistance in
her administration. Her daughter, Kennedy Noem, worked with
the campaign and transition team, and Kennedy will serve in the
administration as a policy analyst.
And with Kristi Noem as the first female governor, husband Bryon
Noem becomes the state’s initial “First Gentleman.”
Byron Noem will have ceremonial duties, but he also plans to offer
his talents to serve the state, Kristi said.
“Byron will have initiatives that he’ll be working on,” she said. “The
advice that (former First Lady) Linda gave to him is to wait six months
and find out exactly what is the most effective way to use his time.”
Byron Noem holds an agriculture and business background, and he
already has ideas on how he can serve the state, Kristi said.
“He cares passionately about small towns and the history of this
state,” she said. “He wants to help small towns to be successful and to
preserve our way of life in South Dakota.”
With fewer than a million residents, South Dakota is considered a
large land base with few residents.
Kristi Noem likes the idea of governing such a state.
“We’re a small state. Many people talk like that’s a challenge. But
I view it as a huge opportunity, because we can do a lot of things in
a very flexible way,” she said. “We can be innovative and do a lot of
things that other states can’t do.”
Commander-In-Chief
Noem’s administration isn’t limited to domestic affairs. As governor,
she serves as commander-in-chief of the South Dakota National Guard
(SDNG).
She faces an immediate task in replacing Adjutant General Tim
Reisch, who announced he will retire in June.
The replacement selection will follow a set process, Noem said.
Candidates will undergo background checks and interviews before a
final decision is made on Reisch’s successor.
Noem noted a connection, as her father served in the National
Guard. In addition, she served in the U.S. House on the Armed
Services Committee.
“The military has always been special to me,” she said.
Noem received another reminder of her role as commander-inchief when she attended the December activation ceremony for the
Yankton-based Bravo Battery of the 1/147th Field Artillery of the
SDNG.
The 114 members — which includes Bravo Battery, Alpha Battery,
Higher Headquarter Battalion and Forward Support Company — are
serving in Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
During her remarks at the activation ceremony, Noem referred to
the local soldiers’ courage in taking on the mission a strategic — and
possibly volatile — part of the globe.
“We live in the greatest country on earth because of these brave men
and women who are serving so we have freedom every day and can
enjoy that freedom,” she said.
She pointed to the significance of Yankton as the birthplace of the
South Dakota National Guard and the 100th anniversary of South
Dakota soldiers returning home from World War I.
Noem told the Press & Dakotan she was struck how many of the
deploying soldiers had very young children.
“I think it’s impossible for me to understand the sacrifices they’re
making. I look at the crowd and see so many little kids. Some many of
those kids are under the age of 5,” she said.
“But what’s neat about this community is that it stands along with
these families. These soldiers will miss events (in their families’ lives),
but the community
will stand alongside
their families when
it comes to juggling
responsibilities and
paying bills, the
(things of) day to
day life.”
Bravo Battery’s
ranks now include
female soldiers.
Noem noted those
women who are
deployed on the
mission.
vNOEM
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