Rounding up support for new South Dakota prison was difficult

Its tough rounding up 1,500 buffalo in the annual buffalo roundup, but its a whole lot tougher rounding up a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the Legislature to support a new prison. Regardless, we got both done last week, and what a week it was!

South Dakotans pride ourselves on getting things done no matter how difficult it may be to do so. More than 20,000 visitors turn out to watch the Buffalo Roundup, and they get to see the big final show, but they dont see the weeks of preparation that go into getting the herd ready for that big final push. And they dont see the weeks of work that come after as the wildlife specialists at Custer State Park work the herd.

That spectacle is truly a sight to see, and if you never have, you must. The buffalo is as majestic an animal as there is, but theyre tough. And theyre mean. And theyll turn on you in half a heartbeat. I rode in the Roundup this year, and it was far from my first time, but it was my first time as governor! Turns out, the buffalo dont care what your title is.

On the other hand, I was able to put my full Governors Office to work to get the prison across the finish line. For months, this issue was our top focus. We worked with the prison task force to build a plan. And then we diligently addressed every question that remained. We built a good plan, and we achieved a good result. We got it done.

Now, the real work begins of actually building the largest public safety investment in South Dakota history, and itll take some time. But the end result will be a good one. And in the meantime, were getting to work on the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force to focus on making sure that inmates have the opportunity to return to our communities as productive members of society.

Theres always more work to do. Now, we get into the thick of preparing the state budget and getting ready for the 2026 legislative session. Folks always have questions about whats next for South Dakota. Answering those questions becomes a lot easier when I remember my oath to support the constitutions of the United States and of South Dakota and when we keep our eyes on the prize: delivering results for the great people of South Dakota.

So long as we continue to do that, well be able to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free for generations to come.