Noem pushes for economic development in State of the State

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem used her second State of the State speech to lay out her vision for growing the state’s economy, touting the potential of a home-grown cybersecurity force and a continued focus on programs to broaden the state’s agriculture industry.

As lawmakers mull a tight budget this year, the Republican governor kicked off the legislative session by calling them to consider the “next generation.” She said her solution to the state’s perennial budget crunch is to grow the state economy.

The Republican-dominated Legislature broke into applause when she said she would not be raising taxes.

Noem acknowledged that the state is highly dependent on agriculture and that last year’s flooding was especially tough on farmers. She said that President Donald Trump’s recent progress on a trade deal with China was good news for the industry. The governor plans to be in Washington, D.C. tomorrow for Trump’s signing of the deal.

The governor reiterated that she does not think that industrial hemp in the state is a “good idea,” but said she would not veto a hemp bill if it tightly regulates the crop. She said she hopes it passes early in the session.

The governor also pointed to an opportunity for the state to develop a cybersecurity industry with a research network being developed at Dakota State University. She called on the state’s universities to continue to develop the next generation in agriculture technology like bioprocessing.

The tourism industry has also grown for the past nine years, according to the governor. She said it was important that the state preserve pheasant habitats to continue to attract hunters to the state.

The state’s economic growth has lagged behind the nation’s this year and the Legislature is working on...