Polls

South Dakota ranks 46th in the nation in average teacher pay, according to a new report from the National Education Association, with the state’s average salary at $58,486 for the 2024–25 school year. While that reflects a 3.8% increase from the previous year, education advocates note recent funding increases may not fully keep pace with inflation or long-term salary needs. Do you feel teacher pay in South Dakota is adequate, or should it be raised?

More background info- https://southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/south-dakota-stays-at-no-46-in-teacher-pay-rankings/

With the 2026 Primary Election quickly approaching on June 2, we want to know how our readers plan to participate in the democratic process. When and how do you plan to vote in the Primary?

With the spring season officially underway, the mowers will soon be back in action. We want to know how much time and effort you plan to put into your yard this year. Which best describes your approach to lawn care?

Over the weekend, President Trump made headlines by publicly criticizing Pope Leo XIV, calling him terrible for foreign policy. Is it appropriate for a U.S. President to publicly criticize the Pope regarding matters of global and domestic policy?

During last week’s SD Republican gubernatorial debate, candidates discussed whether taxpayer dollars should be used to attract large out-of-state companies, particularly in relation to data centers and other economic development projects. While some emphasized the need to remain competitive with other states, others pushed back on offering incentives to major corporations. Should taxpayer funds be used to attract large out-of-state companies, such as tech firms?

Recent factors such as rising gas prices and airport delays have affected travel. Have these issues impacted your travel plans, or do you expect them to in the near future? (In other words, are you traveling less, planning extra time at the airport, etc.)

Petition periods for many candidates are wrapping soon in South Dakota. Out of the declared Republican candidates for governor, who do you predict will win the primary in June?

SD lawmakers debated how to approach data centers this session, weighing potential economic development against concerns about protecting the state’s rural character. Several proposals that would have offered tax incentives to attract data centers failed to pass, while Senate Bill 135, sometimes referred to as the “Data Center Bill of Rights,” was approved to place limits on electricity and water usage. Do you agree with the Legislature’s approach of rejecting incentives while putting regulations in place?

SD lawmakers have approved legislation that would eliminate the reduced-price portion some families currently pay for school meals. If signed by Gov. Rhoden, HB1082 would use about $592,000 in state funding each year to cover those costs for students who qualify under federal income guidelines, with the federal government continuing to pay the rest. Do you support using state funds to cover the cost of reduced-price school meals for qualifying students?

The United States launched Operation Epic Fury on Saturday, carrying out what the United States Department of Defense described as a massive strike involving thousands of American servicemembers and military assets. In the joint strikes with Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed. Do you agree with the United States’ actions in Iran?

The legislature’s House State Affairs committee advanced a bill last week to define the terms ‘man’ and ‘woman’, and prohibit the government from funding anything other than those terms. The bill that would define “male,” “female,” “man,” and “woman” in state law based on biological sex, describing sex as either male or female and tying definitions to reproductive biology. Do you support this proposed legislation?

Last week, Gov. Larry Rhoden recently vetoed a bill that would have effectively banned lab-grown meat in South Dakota, instead suggesting a temporary moratorium as a compromise. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Julie Auch of Lesterville, passed both chambers but could still face an override vote. Do you support Rhoden’s veto of the lab-grown meat ban?