By Cory Allen Heidelberger on 2021-05-24
While Governor Kristi Noem makes more Presidential campaign noise about civics curriculum that she hasn’t read, she ignores the fundamental and long-standing weaknesses of the South Dakota economy. In helping to explain the economic pessimism revealed by the new
Birkeland said politicians and policymakers in South Dakota often point to intangible benefits that make the state a great place to live, such as wide-open spaces, abundant outdoor recreation and a relaxed pace of life.
But she said South Dakota’s economy doesn’t stack up well against those in neighboring states.
One example is the state’s over-reliance on the agriculture industry and continued taxation benefits for farming and ranching, to the detriment of industries such as finance, banking and insurance, which could create more and better-paying jobs, she said.