Governor Daugaard's Weekly Columns

Apr 30, 2012

Governor's Column

A column from Gov. Dennis Daugaard: Lessons From Kuwait and Afghanistan Read more . . .

Apr 15, 2012

Governor's Column

Every Day is Earth Day in South Dakota Read more . . .

Mar 07, 2012

Governor's Column

A column from Gov. Dennis Daugaard Read more . . .

Feb 24, 2012

A column from Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Strengthening Rural Health in South Dakota Read more . . .

Feb 01, 2012

A column from Gov. Dennis Daugaard

In my Jan. 10 State of the State address, I proposed $3,500 bonuses to middle and high school math and science teachers, beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. The proposal attempts to address challenges faced in South Dakota. Read more . . .

Jan 19, 2012

Governor's column

Remembering Bill Janklow, a column from Gov. Dennis Daugaard: Read more . . .

Dec 27, 2011

Governor's Column

Year in review, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard Read more . . .

Dec 06, 2011

A column from Gov. Dennis Daugaard

On Tuesday, I presented my budget for the State of South Dakota in Fiscal Year 2013 (FY2013). This proposal will fund necessary state government services and special appropriations for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2012, and ending June 30, 2013. Read more . . .

Nov 17, 2011

A New Face For State Government, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

On Nov. 15, South Dakota’s state government gained a new face. We didn’t change the State Seal or our State Flag. We didn’t remodel the Capitol or add a fifth likeness to Mount Rushmore. Instead, we redesigned the state’s website - SD.GOV Read more . . .

Oct 26, 2011

Governor's Column

BE HEARD ON MISSOURI RIVER MANAGEMENT Read more . . .

Oct 14, 2011

PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Fall is here and South Dakotans are geared up for another season of pheasant hunting. Read more . . .

Oct 05, 2011

A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION: Read more . . .

Sep 16, 2011

Governor's Column

BETTER GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard Read more . . .

Sep 12, 2011

A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

9/11/01, Looking Back Read more . . .

Aug 31, 2011

South Dakota State Fair, By Gov. Dennis Daugaard

South Dakota State Fair, By Gov. Dennis Daugaard Read more . . .

Aug 25, 2011

Black Hills Forest Initiative, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

For many years and many people, the Black Hills is a special place. Read more . . .

Aug 19, 2011

Remembering Those Who Serve, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

The past few months have seen many losses to South Dakota among public servants. It is with heavy hearts that South Dakotans remember those who have fallen in the line of duty. Read more . . .

Aug 08, 2011

Suggestions For The Federal Government, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

Quite a bit of media attention was given to the recent debt-ceiling debate. It brought to mind some things that need changing, in my opinion. Read more . . .

Jul 29, 2011

Balanced Budget, the South Dakota Way, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

As of June 30, 2011, the state of South Dakota finished fiscal year 2011 with a structurally balanced budget. Read more . . .

Jul 21, 2011

Good News for South Dakota, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

When many states are still struggling to recover from tough economic times, South Dakota has much good economic development news to share. Read more . . .

Jul 14, 2011

John Sutherland and the Capital Election Fights, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

An historical marker was recently dedicated in Pierre to honor John T. Sutherland, the leader of all three successful election campaigns in which the South Dakotans selected Pierre to be the State Capital. Read more . . .

Jul 08, 2011

The Black Hills Playhouse, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

The Black Hills Playhouse is one of South Dakotas proudest examples of living history, fine art, and the fruits of perseverance. Read more . . .

Jun 29, 2011

Summer in South Dakota, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Even though we had a long winter and a wild spring, summer has officially arrived. We owe it to ourselves to enjoy the blessings that summertime brings Read more . . .

Jun 23, 2011

Governor’s Ag Development Summit, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry. Our state climate and soils are well-suited for production agriculture, and so are our people. Keeping a farm or ranch alive involves hard work and resolve. Whether the job requires a calving check at 3 a.m. during a February blizzard or 17 straight hours in a combine, South Dakota’s agriculture producers work hard to put food on the plates of their families and ours. Read more . . .

May 13, 2011

First Lady Encourages Students To Read, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Over the past several weeks, I have been traveling to schools around the state to encourage reading. I am reading to the classes, encouraging them to read on their own, and collecting used books for other students to enjoy. Read more . . .

May 04, 2011

Homestake Project Important for South Dakota, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

The Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake holds great promise for education, technology and research in South Dakota. While the path to realizing these goals has not been easy, we do have a clear plan for moving forward. A review of recent events will make the plan easier to understand. Read more . . .

Apr 26, 2011

South Dakota Recognized for Sound Management, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

In South Dakota, we take pride running a state that is friendly to private enterprise and prudent with taxpayer dollars. Recently, our state was recognized by two high-profile national organizations for our sound management. Read more . . .

Apr 18, 2011

Explanation of Referenda, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Recently, the paperwork was filed to start gathering petitions to refer two bills that my office sponsored. I wanted to take an opportunity to present factual information on the bills, explaining why I sponsored and approved them. Read more . . .

Apr 04, 2011

Openness, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

One of South Dakota's greatest governors was Peter Norbeck. Governor Norbeck was instrumental in the establishment of Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. Read more . . .

Mar 25, 2011

Economic Development in Small Towns, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Last week, I attended the Eureka Community Development Company’s 25th Anniversary. I applaud them for a quarter century of proactive development. The celebration also provided an opportunity to redouble my focus on creating jobs and economic development in our small towns. Read more . . .

Mar 21, 2011

Flooding, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Spring is upon us, and South Dakota is enjoying warmer weather at last. But the spring thaw brings renewed concerns about flooding. Last year's floods and this winter's heavy snows contributed to saturation in our soils and high water in our lakes, making flooding a certainty in South Dakota this spring. Read more . . .

Mar 11, 2011

Mission Accomplished, by Gov Dennis Daugaard

The 86th South Dakota Legislative Session has drawn to a close. The session saw a great deal of hard work by legislators, staffers, interns, and pages. We all worked together to deliver results for our state through legislation aimed at creating jobs and fixing the structural deficit, without raising taxes. Armed with new job-promoting measures and a strong, healthy budget, South Dakota is poised to grow our way into a future full of promise. Read more . . .

Mar 04, 2011

Promises Made, Promises Kept, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

During my campaign for Governor, I stated a number of goals toward which I would work if elected. As I write this, one week remains in the 2011 legislative session, and it is timely to examine progress against those goals. Read more . . .

Feb 25, 2011

Medicaid, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

In the remaining days of the legislative session, the budget for the fiscal year beginning July1 remains at the forefront of discussion and debate. The recommended 10 percent reduction to Medicaid providers has been a particular focus in the last week or more. Read more . . .

Feb 18, 2011

Local Control, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Among my core principals is a belief in the ability of local people to make the best decisions for their locality. South Dakotans object when the federal government uses a ‘one size fits all’ approach, treating all the states the same way. Read more . . .

Feb 09, 2011

Economic Development, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

As I stated during the campaign, my top priority as Governor is to create jobs and grow our economy. I have submitted a bill to the legislature which will improve the way South Dakota attracts large, job-creating projects to the state. Right now, large projects automatically qualify for a refund of a portion of their sales and contractors excise taxes. Read more . . .

Feb 01, 2011

Budget, by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Just weeks ago, I offered my budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year in South Dakota. The budget keeps promises made during my campaign: to cut spending and balance the budget without raising taxes. I am grateful for the opportunity to be your Governor, but the job will not be easy. Read more . . .