Interview: Senator Taffy Howard

Show notes Published May 24, 2025, after Taffy Howard's first session in the South Dakota Senate (the 100th legislative session, 2025). Guest Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, District 34 (Pennington County); state senator since January 2025; served in the House for District 33 from 2017 to 2023; U.S. Air Force veteran Background SJR 505 (2025), the unclaimed property trust fund amendment Howard talks about, was sponsored by Howard and Rep. Chris Kassin. The Legislature sent it to the voters, and it is Constitutional Amendment K on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. SJR 503 (2025), the citizen-only voting amendment, was also prime-sponsored by Howard. It is Constitutional Amendment J on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. The dollar figures for unclaimed property in the interview ($200 to $300 million a year, an unfunded liability of about $1.2 billion) are Howard's own figures from May 2025. Update (October 2026) 2026 session: Howard chaired the Senate Government Operations and Audit Committee and is vice chair of the interim Government Operations and Audit Committee. On Feb. 23, 2026, she voted for the bill letting counties levy up to a half-percent sales tax to offset property taxes on owner-occupied homes, while calling a new tax "abhorrent" as the only route to property tax relief that year. The Senate passed it 20-14 (South Dakota Searchlight). Unclaimed property: South Dakota Searchlight reported on Oct. 15, 2026, that the state has received more than $1 billion in unclaimed property over the years and that annual receipts recently hit a record $308 million. Howard told Searchlight the state "had just been spending the money as it came in," making it "technically an unfunded liability on our books." No organized opposition to Amendment K has surfaced. Amendment J: Howard wrote the "yes" statement for Amendment J in the Secretary of State's 2026 ballot question pamphlet. Rep. Erik Muckey wrote the "no" statement. Brand Board fee: On Aug. 18, 2026, Howard cast the only "no" vote as a legislative committee approved, 5-1, raising the Brand Board's livestock ownership inspection fee to $1.45 per head. "Now is not the time for a 45% increase," she said, citing the financial struggles of West River ranchers (South Dakota Searchlight). The election: Howard won the June 2, 2026, Republican primary for Senate District 34 with 2,334 votes (57.0%) to Jason Green's 1,760 (43.0%). She faces Democrat Michael Calabrese in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Links SJR 505 (2025), trust for unclaimed property fund (Amendment K): https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25479 SJR 503 (2025), citizenship required to vote (Amendment J): https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/25856 South Dakota Secretary of State: 2026 ballot question pamphlet (PDF): https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/general-information/2026%20Ballot%20Question%20Information/2026%20Ballot%20Question%20Files/2026%20BQ/2026GeneralBQPamphletFINAL.pdf South Dakota Searchlight: Amendment K: Lawmakers ask voters to approve investing unclaimed property proceeds in a trust fund (Oct. 15, 2026): https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/10/15/amendment-k-lawmakers-ask-voters-to-approve-investing-unclaimed-property-proceeds-in-a-trust-fund/ South Dakota Searchlight: County sales tax emerges as last major property tax reduction proposal standing in Legislature (Feb. 24, 2026): https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/02/24/county-sales-tax-emerges-as-last-major-property-tax-reduction-proposal-standing-in-legislature/ South Dakota Searchlight: Staffing costs drive fee increase for program meant to deter livestock theft (Aug. 18, 2026): https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/08/18/staffing-costs-drive-fee-increase-for-program-meant-to-deter-livestock-theft/ South Dakota Legislature: 2026 Senate Government Operations and Audit Committee: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Committee/1281/Detail South Dakota Legislature: Comprehensive Property Tax Task Force (2025): https://sdlegislature.gov/Interim/Committee/505/Detail The Dakota Scout: Kristi Noem's state credit card expenses: https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/kristi-noems-credit-card-expenses Ballotpedia: Taffy Howard (2026 primary results): https://ballotpedia.org/Taffy_Howard South Dakota Legislature: Senator Taffy Howard: https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4720/Detail This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daveroetman.substack.com