DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. (KELO) — A trio of governors are discussing topics impacting the tri-state area they lead.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden took the stage at the 19th Tri-State Governors’ Conference.
Community leaders across the region gave short presentations on issues in their fields of study. Topics ranged from behavioral health issues, military base investments and improvements to rural electrical services.
Each governor was given a chance to respond to those issues.
Flood recovery efforts in northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota were a major focus. City administrator Jeff Dooley asked for support for updated flood data on the Big Sioux River. Governor Rhoden voiced his agreement.
“The more we learn about that flood and the information we have and the knowledge we’ve gained through the last five to ten years, it’s become very evident that we need to modernize our data,” Rhoden said.
All three governors addressed teacher shortages. Governor Pillen advocated for reducing federal involvement to allocate more money for teachers.
“I’m a big advocate doing away with the bureaucracy, keeping life simple,” Pillen said. “The most important is the teachers.”
Governor Reynolds discussed plans to expand Iowa’s healthcare workforce. She highlighted one program aimed at keeping medical professionals in the state.
“We were really behind when it came to residency until last year with my rural health care bill. We worked with two facilities to bring $150 million to draw in a total of 460 new residency programs,” Reynolds said. “If they do their residency in the state, they’re more likely to stay there.”
