Every Dollar Matters

This past Monday, I stopped by my local grocery store to pick up a few items. One of those items was five 6-ounce yogurts. The sale sticker advertised the yogurt at 10 for $6, or sixty cents each.

After checking out and returning home, I reviewed my receipt and discovered that I had been overcharged for the yogurts. So, back to the store I went to receive a refund of $3.13, including sales tax. In other words, I was charged nearly twice the advertised price.

To some, $3.13 may be chump change. But it made me wonder: How many other customers were overcharged and either didn't notice or didn't take the time to ask, “Why am I being overcharged?”

Why do I share this story? Because it reflects how I approach money and accountability. I monitor spending like a hawk. I am a fiscal conservative, and I believe every dollar matters. People should not spend money they don't have, nor should they pay more than necessary. The same principle applies to government.

This past week, Governor Rhoden's administration announced that South Dakota closed the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, with a $69 million surplus. While ending the year in the black is certainly positive, it raises some important questions:

1. Who does this money originally belong to?

2. Why was there such a large surplus?

3. Did taxpayers pay more than was necessary to fund government services?

4. Are there areas where spending could be reduced before asking taxpayers to contribute more?

Think about the amount of interest the state could earn on a $69 million surplus. Meanwhile, the state government plans to allow the sales tax rate to sunset from 6.2% to 6.5% after July 1, 2027. Supporters argue that the higher rate helps offset property taxes through rebates. However, I believe we should also ask whether there are opportunities to reduce spending before seeking additional revenue from taxpayers.

If there is a significant surplus, did state and local governments overestimate their funding needs? A surplus can be the result of strong revenue growth, prudent budgeting, lower-than-expected expenditures, or some combination of those factors. Understanding why the surplus occurred is essential before asking taxpayers to contribute additional revenue to their government.

Ask yourself this question: When was the last time you received a tax rebate from your government in the form of excess revenue brought in? Note: I am not talking about stimulus checks, property tax rebates, or income tax refunds. Stimulus checks, property tax rebates, and income tax refunds are YOUR money to begin with.

These are the kinds of questions I believe elected officials should ask. Good government requires accountability, transparency, and a willingness to examine spending line by line. If elected to the State Senate, I will work to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, that government remains focused on its core responsibilities, and identify any funding that leads to waste, fraud, or abuse. As I continue learning more about state finances and budgeting, I look forward to sharing what I find with you. Stay tuned.