Warm wishes for a Merry Christmas

As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. The holiday season is a time to slow down, reflect and appreciate the people and places that make our communities strong. It’s also a time for gratitude—for neighbors who lend a hand, families who support one another and the shared values that keep us moving forward together.

Those values were on full display last week, as our area endured sustained winds averaging 83 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 100 miles per hour. In the aftermath, neighbors came together to move trees off roofs, clear roads and help those who were without electricity for days. I am deeply thankful to our electric companies, linemen, utility crews, emergency responders, road crews and volunteers who worked long, dangerous hours to restore power and safety. I also want to thank the additional crews who traveled from other regions to assist. 

This is exactly what South Dakota is all about—salt-of-the-earth people who value family, home and respect for the land, their neighbors and their God.

That is why I am so proud to represent you in Pierre and work diligently on property tax reform. I was warned early on by other legislators not to take it on because it is a heavy lift and it would be too hard, but anyone who knows me knows I’ve never been afraid of hard work!

For the past five years, I’ve focused on tax-related issues, with the last three years dedicated specifically to property taxes. I am proud to have helped pass meaningful property tax relief, including improvements to the Elderly and Disabled Property Tax Freeze. These changes increased the maximum value of an eligible home to $500,000 and raised the income threshold from $45,000 to $65,000, allowing more people to qualify and remain in their homes. 

We also passed important agriculture legislation ensuring land meeting Class Four criteria is properly classified as grassland which is taxed at a significantly lower rate, providing much-needed relief for the farmers and ranchers who are the backbone of our rural communities.

I’ve listened to homeowners, families and seniors who are feeling the strain of rising costs, and I understand how deeply these challenges affect household budgets and long-term security. That experience has strengthened my commitment to advocating for fair, responsible tax policies that respect taxpayers while supporting the essential services our communities rely on.

During the last legislative session, I also served on the governor’s initial Property Tax Task Force and participated in crafting the governor’s property tax bill. While some have criticized this legislation, it includes important provisions that benefit homeowners.

Under the new law, property improvements such as adding a shed, painting your house or making upgrades, are no longer considered “new growth” and will not increase your property’s valuation or taxes. New growth is now limited to new construction that increases the need for infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer. While this piece of legislation is not perfect, it represents an important first step, and as your commonsense voice in Pierre, I remain committed to working with legislators across the aisle in the future making updates and improvements as we move forward this upcoming session and beyond.

Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May this Christmas season bring you peace, joy and treasured time with your loved ones, and may the New Year be filled with hope, happiness and blessings for you and your family.