Noem signs bill to give top state officials raises

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem has signed legislation that gives herself a pay raise if she’s reelected as well as raises for other top state officials.

The bill raises the salaries of the governor, the attorney general, the secretary of state, the state auditor, the state treasurer, and the commissioner of school and public lands.

The governor’s 9.4% raise to $130,000 a year pays the state’s top executive more or equal to South Dakota’s six neighboring states. The governors of Nebraska and Wyoming make $105,000 a year, North Dakota’s is paid $117,000. Iowa pays its governor $130,000 while Minnesota’s governor is paid $128,000.

The measure (HB 1232) passed easily through both chambers of the legislature.