Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sept. 29, 2022) – Conservatives with the South Dakota Freedom Caucus are applauding Governor Noem for her recent commitment to repeal the grocery food tax during a press conference this week after making comments earlier this year that she was concerned about making any tax cuts. Governor Noem was joined by Representative Mary Fitzgerald and Senator Helene Duhamel, who had voted to defeat the measure to repeal the sales tax on groceries earlier this year.

“It’s a pleasant surprise,” said Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Aaron Aylward, “we’re happy to see the Governor have a change of heart to help some of our less fortunate children and citizens that are most adversely affected by this type of taxation scheme.”

Republican lawmakers from the Freedom Caucus explained that its members had supported an effort earlier this year to repeal the tax after hog-housing Senate President Lee Schoenbeck’s Senate Bill 122, but was defeated after it was returned to the Senate for concurrence, which Senator Duhamel voted to kill.

“We look for any opportunity to return the hard-earned money of South Dakotans, and are grateful to see we have an ally in Governor Noem this coming session,” said Freedom Caucus Treasurer Tina Mulally, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

The South Dakota legislative session starts on January 10, 2023.