Dusty Needs to Remember Who He Represents

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Jul 3
2 min read

For Immediate Release

July 3rd, 2025

Sioux Falls, SD - Below is a statement from SDDP Executive Director Dan Ahlers after House Republicans, including Rep. Dusty Johnson, passed a budget bill that will rip away health care and food assistance from thousands of South Dakotans.

"After voting to approve this disastrous bill that will devastate hard working South Dakota families, Dusty Johnson actually thinks he deserves to be the next Governor of our state? Dusty will now be responsible for a financial catastrophe of his own making that will hit every household in South Dakota. He voted to take food out of the mouths of children who have no control over their financial situation. SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare are all in jeopardy because of this harmful bill that our elected members of Congress decided to rush through."

"This comes at a time when the South Dakota Department of Social Services is also wanting to cut benefits for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). We have a vanishing rural health care system as we see medical professionals leaving the state, nursing homes close, and fewer services offered at rural hospitals and clinics. Meanwhile, South Dakota continues to lead the nation in high infant and maternal mortality rates."

"This is what happens when you make drastic cuts to federal funding. Nearly half of South Dakota's revenue comes from the federal government. If Dusty Johnson really wants to lead this state, he'll have to answer to why he cut so many resources that help South Dakota families. He needs to answer for why it is okay to take food and health care away from South Dakota's most vulnerable families to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. If Dusty really wants to be our next Governor, he needs to figure out who he truly represents -- hard working families or billionaires"

For questions, please contact Dan Ahlers, Executive Director of the SD Democratic Party at dan@sddp.org or 605-940-3071.

Paid for by the South Dakota Democratic Party | www.sddp.org