BROOKINGS (10-27-26) — Brookings Radio continues election 2026 candidate profiles. This week, we’re looking at the District 7 State House candidates.
Mellissa Heermann works for Brookings Health System and an incumbent District 7 representative. She said her top priority in the legislature would be re-introducing the non-medical home care regulation bill (House Bill 1138) she tried to get passed last session… “This bill would’ve required all non-medical, home care agencies to cover liability insurance and also have background checks completed for their employees. This was important because they’re going into the homes of some of our most vulnerable community members. They’re toileting, showering, moving them, repositioning them. They have full access to fridges, you know jewelry, anything they want. So it’s a pretty important step.”
The governor vetoed the original bill, but Heermann said she hopes she’s re-worked the bill so it can pass this session.
She also said education funding would be a priority for her… “It will be around advocating in caucus, advocating with my peers and working with our appropriations to really understand what dollars we have available and try to ensure we at least get back up to what we’ve committed to previously over the years. And you know it would be great to give more if we can. I don’t believe schools are adequately funded currently.”
Heermann is also concerned about the rising costs of childcare in South Dakota… “When we talk about childcare, it really becomes a complicated issue. We’re hearing that rising costs that our daycare providers aren’t able to keep up with what they’re charging. We also know, I have personal experience with employees that have had to step away from their role because if you have one, two, three, four kids in school you’re basically paying for daycare. It just costs too much.”
The complete interview with Mellissa Heermann is posted at https://www.brookingsradio.com/news/interview-district-7-state-house-candidate-mellissa-heermann/. Two of the three candidates running for District 7 house will be elected. Election day is November 3.
— Brookings Radio News
