Fellow South Dakotan,
It doesn’t get much better than a summer day in South Dakota. This time of year brings out so much of what I love about our state. It’s a great time to explore its natural beauty, go to the fair, or take in a local baseball game. I love traveling far and wide during the summer, visiting our communities and hearing directly from South Dakotans in every corner of our state.
Summer is fair season in South Dakota, and I love spending a day walking the fairgrounds, meeting South Dakotans, and touching base with our state’s farmers and ranchers. I had a great time meeting old friends and new ones at the Turner County Fair. At the Brown County Fair and Dakotafest, I had discussions with South Dakota farmers and ranchers about how the One Big, Beautiful Bill will help agriculture producers and had the opportunity to hear from them about some of the challenges their industry is facing.
I’ve also had the opportunity to visit a number of small towns this summer, which is always a highlight of my travels. In Hoven, I stopped into City Hall, one of my favorite ways to learn about a community’s needs and how I can help. I toured the hospital in Mobridge, stopped by Mr. Bob’s Drive-In and Shorty’s One Stop in Selby and at Bauer’s Super Valu and Buttercup Coffee Shop in Faulkton.
I was proud to be able to report to South Dakota’s small business owners on the tax relief we recently secured in the One Big, Beautiful Bill. This bill makes permanent the lower tax rates Republicans enacted in 2017 as well as the pro-growth policies that help small business owners, farmers, and ranchers invest in their operations and create jobs. I also had a great conversation with the Sioux Empire Homebuilders about how this bill will help make building and buying a home more affordable.
Some of my favorite moments traveling in our state come when I have a chance just to say “thank you.” It’s always a pleasure to be a part of ag appreciation events at the Sioux Empire Fair and Central States Fair. I met with first responders from Aberdeen Fire Rescue and law enforcement officers from the Rapid City Police Department and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office to thank them for serving. And it was humbling to reflect on the service of South Dakotans past and present at the Battleship South Dakota Memorial Day of Honor and at the 28th Bomb Wing change of command ceremony at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The summer is coming to a close, but the work continues. As always, that work is going to focus on a lot of the things I’ve heard from fellow South Dakotans. We’ve already accomplished a lot this year: permanent tax relief, securing the border, and strengthening our military. We’re setting our country up for a stronger and more prosperous future, and I can’t wait to see that future unfold in South Dakota.
All the best,
John Thune
