South Dakota Senate Minority Leader Larson lists legislative priorities of the Democratic Caucus in the 2025 session

Editor’s note: The Standard is doing a double post today as both Democratic Party leaders in the state legislature have submitted lists of important legislation to be considered in the current session. The above photo is titled, perhaps with some metaphorical value, “Mt. Rushmore coming out of the fog.”

This legislative session, the Democratic Caucus will focus on what we do best: sticking to fiscally responsible, common-sense solutions to the bread-and-butter issues that matter most to hardworking South Dakotans.

As Democrats, we are a “micro-minority” in the Legislature, facing the second-largest Republican supermajority in the country. This means our caucus must act strategically and thoughtfully, always vigilant in finding opportunities to make a difference. We are committed to working with our Republican colleagues whenever possible, finding common ground. And when needed, we will speak truth to power on behalf of our constituents.

This session, our caucus’ focus is centered on delivering real solutions to South Dakotans through our four-pillared roadmap:

Pillar 1: Investing in public education

Public education is the bedrock of our communities and essential to a thriving economy. We are committed to fully funding public schools, ensuring teachers are paid what they deserve, and keeping higher education affordable. We stand firmly against efforts to introduce education savings accounts, private school vouchers, and any other initiatives that divert public funds away from public education.

There are already school choice options including open enrollment. Data from other states shows that defunding public schools devastates education systems, especially in rural areas. Additionally, we will continue supporting South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) and the state library system, preserving these vital public goods.

Pillar 2: Lowering costs for South Dakotans

From expanding access to affordable childcare to advocating for equitable property tax solutions and protecting Medicaid, we are committed to reducing financial burdens on families. On Medicaid expansion, voters have spoken loud and clear: health care is a top priority. With enrollment numbers stabilizing, it is critical to protect progress by avoiding restrictive bureaucratic requirements.

We also support maintaining and expanding infrastructure in rural and tribal areas, including emergency medical services (EMS), veteran service officers (VSOs), broadband access, and law enforcement.

We will also protect existing crisis services, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and continue advocating for free and reduced school lunches, recognizing that hungry children struggle to learn and thrive. 

Additionally, we remain steadfast in addressing the workforce crisis by promoting affordable childcare and housing solutions statewide.

 Pillar 3: Protecting freedom

Everyone deserves the right for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This means people should make their own health-care decisions, vote freely and have economic opportunity. We will advocate for reproductive rights, racial equity, LGBTQ+2S inclusion, and government accountability while opposing voter suppression, restrictions on IVF, and punitive measures for nonviolent crimes like ingestion.

We welcome newcomers to South Dakota and support compassionate immigration solutions. Recognizing the need for criminal justice reform, we advocate for responsible investments in our correctional facilities, prioritizing rehabilitation, addiction services, and reentry programs. Additionally, we will champion privacy protections for South Dakotans, safeguarding them from cyber threats, fraud, and financial harm.

Pillar 4: Innovating for a prosperous future

South Dakota has a proud history of innovation across agriculture, technology, scientific research, and the infrastructure to support such endeavors. With 84% of our state’s energy coming from renewable sources, we are already a leader in energy.

We will build on our momentum in biotechnology, regenerative agriculture, and cybersecurity. Our goal is to create opportunities that secure a bright future for the next generation, protect natural resources, and address the impacts of climate change. We are committed to ethical leadership in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and will advocate for resource planning in partnership with tribal nations.

As this session continues, the Democratic Caucus will remain steadfast in fighting for these priorities while keeping the focus on what truly matters to the people of South Dakota. Whether you are from West River or East River, from our tribal nations, urban communities, or rural towns, we are here to represent all.

We may be a minority in these chambers, but we are mighty in our commitment to freedom, justice, and equality for the people of South Dakota.

District 10 Sen. Liz Larson, D-Sioux Falls, is the South Dakota Senate minority leader.

Photo:  Mt. Rushmore, coming out of the fog, public domain, wikimedia commons