The South Dakota Legislature began its 2022 session yesterday with Gov. Kristi Noem delivering her State of the State address.
Speculated as a future Republican presidential contender, Noem laid out a list of priorities sure to appeal to conservative voters.
She called for legislation to prohibit abortions after 6 weeks, to require a moment of silence each day in school that students could use to pray, and a ban on the teaching in public schools controversial material on race.
Noem also pushed for medical and religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a ban on transgender girls playing in girls’ sports, eliminating fees for filing and renewing business licenses and for concealed-carry gun license.
Noem called for having the state pay for federal background checks for gun owners and getting rid of the state tax on bingo games, which she said effects the elderly and veterans the most.