People Over Politics.
A Progressive Blueprint to take Pierre back for the people.
Investing in Our Future
Public education is the bedrock of our community. From K-12 to our universities, we must ensure that our schools are fully funded and our educators are treated with respect. Pierre’s current approach of "doing more with less" is a recipe for long-term decline.
- Increase the state per-student funding to keep pace with inflation.
- Support Universal Pre-K to give every child a head start.
- Protect academic freedom at our public universities.
Unrigging the Tax System
South Dakota has the 6th most regressive tax system in the nation. While service workers and students in Brookings pay an effective tax rate of 11.4%, the top 1% pays just 2.6%. It's time to make the wealthy pay their fair share.
- Repeal the grocery tax (no more "temporary" rebates).
- Pass the "South Dakota Family Fairness Act."
- Invest our surplus in families, not corporate tax breaks.
Access You Can Afford
Healthcare is a human right, not a luxury. Too many South Dakotans are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. We must expand access to care, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and support our rural hospitals.
- Protect and strengthen Medicaid expansion.
- Lower prescription drug costs through state negotiation.
- Increase funding for mental health and addiction services.
Stopping the "Brain Drain"
We are training world-class professionals in South Dakota just to export them to neighboring states. A teacher or nurse can drive 45 minutes east and get a massive raise. We are exporting our greatest resource—our skilled workers.
- 5-year plan for regional pay parity for public employees.
- Tuition freeze: Stop passing state debts to students.
- "Stay in SD" loan forgiveness for all South Dakota grads.
Ending the "15-Day Eviction"
Brookings is a renter-majority city (52%), yet Pierre treats tenants like second-class citizens. In 2024, the legislature passed Senate Bill 89, allowing landlords to kick families out with just 15 days' notice. We need a "Tenant's Bill of Rights."
- Repeal SB 89: Restore the 30-day notice standard.
- Enforce habitability laws (crack down on slumlords).
- Incentivize "starter homes" under $275k.
Reproductive Freedom
The decision to start a family belongs to you, not to a politician in Pierre. I believe in medical privacy and personal freedom. That means protecting access to contraception, IVF, and abortion care. The "Nanny State" has no business being in the exam room with you.
- Protect access to contraception & IVF.
- Codify reproductive rights into law.
- Stop government interference in private medical decisions.
Fighting the "Nanny State"
Republicans claim to value liberty, but they govern like helicopter parents. The GOP has become the party of intrusive government, telling you which groceries you can buy and which websites you can visit. They are also taking away local control from cities and counties.
- Digital Bill of Rights: No government ID for internet access.
- Reward SNAP recipients for making healthier choices, not punish them for what they buy (Oppose HB 1056).
- Restore local control to our city and county governments.
Equality for All
District 7 is for everyone. I will oppose any legislation that targets our LGBTQ+ neighbors. South Dakota values mean minding your own business and treating every neighbor with dignity and respect, regardless of who they love.
- Oppose discriminatory "culture war" bills.
- Protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying and exclusion.
- Ensure equal protection under the law for all citizens.
The "Silent Crisis"
43% of South Dakotans live in a childcare desert. Pierre chose to let centers close rather than offer a helping hand to childcare workers. Childcare is workforce infrastructure.
- Override the veto logic: Pass the Working Families Support Act.
- Reimburse providers at the true cost of care.
- Public-private matching grants for new centers.
Respect the Vote
In South Dakota, a deal should be a deal. But in Pierre, your vote is often treated as a suggestion. From repealing anti-corruption acts to ignoring ballot initiatives, it's time to restore integrity to our state government.
- Government Integrity Act: Independent subpoena power for ethics.
- Civil fines for open meetings violations.
- Ban taxpayer-funded lobbying against voters.
Dignity for Our Seniors
We are closing nursing homes and forcing seniors to move miles from home to save a few dollars in a surplus budget. Medicaid reimbursement rates fall $42 short per day. It is "death by spreadsheet."
- Senior Dignity Pledge: 100% cost coverage reimbursement.
- Rural Stabilization Fund for nursing homes.
- Strengthen home-based care options for seniors.
Join the Movement
The establishment has the lobbyists. We have the people. Help us bring common sense back to Pierre.
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