Press Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kristi Noem today highlighted her third Pillar of Protection: Protection from Government Intrusion. A fierce advocate of individual liberty and states’ rights, Noem pledged to fight federal overreach and protect South Dakota’s way of life.
“Our Constitution mandates that the vast majority of decisions be made by states and individuals, not the federal government. But these days, Washington rarely operates that way,” said Noem. “Nonetheless, when bureaucrats looked to charge us for water out of the Missouri River or tell us how to farm, when they sought to limit our Second Amendment rights or mandate how 4-H rodeo be run, I fought back – and won. I’ll do the same as governor, protecting our rights and our South Dakota way of life.”
From her earliest days as South Dakota’s lone representative in the U.S. House, Noem built a reputation for pushing back on federal overreach, successfully:
- Repealing Obamacare’s individual mandate through tax reform;
- Defending the 2nd Amendment;
- Forcing the USDA to reverse course on a policy that would have unnecessarily uprooted the way South Dakota 4-H youth rodeo operates;
- Stopping the Army Corps of Engineers from charging South Dakota for use of our own water from the Missouri River;
- Fighting against the federal government’s attempt to close the Hot Springs VA and override the needs of South Dakota veterans;
- Preventing OSHA from regulating small family farms;
- Forcing the EPA to reverse course on expanded dust regulations;
- Repealing a regulation requiring states to provide certain funds to abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood;
- Stopping the federal government from incentivizing certain education curriculum, like Common Core; and
- Continuing to champion legislation that would give governors the ability to refuse refugee resettlement in their states.
4 PILLARS OF PROTECTION
Protection from Tax Increases. South Dakota is one of just seven states without an income tax – and we need to keep it that way. As governor, I pledge to veto efforts to increase taxes, and I’ve put that commitment in writing when I signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.
Protection from Government Growth. Under my administration, there would be no new boards, no new commissions, and no new blue ribbon task forces. Instead, we would look to scrub each agency, refocusing and streamlining existing departments while cutting red tape.
Protection from Federal Intrusion. When the Army Corps attempted to charge South Dakota for use of our own water from the Missouri River, I successfully fought back as the state’s lone member of the House. When the federal government came after the Hot Springs VA, I advocated for South Dakota veterans. And when the Second Amendment was attacked, I stood up for our constitutional rights. As governor, I would do the same, working with the congressional delegation and leveraging my own relationships with federal leadership to protect our rights and way of life as South Dakotans.
Protection from Government Secrecy. Voters have repeatedly supported government integrity measures at the ballot box. I hear you. As governor, I will build on the recent momentum, working to throw open the doors, not only of the state capital, but also encouraging county commission offices and school boards to give you unprecedented access to the government decision-making process at all levels.