Gov. Kristi Noem accused of shifting on food tax cuts after call for grocery exemption

Top-ranked GOP lawmaker says governor 'adamantly opposed' similar proposal during 2022 legislative session

South Dakota, Mississippi and Alabama are the only states in the United States that tax food at full rate. (Jonathan Ellis / The Dakota Scout)

South Dakota lawmakers this winter will be asked to repeal the state sales tax on food regardless of who voters choose to lead state government through the next four years.

With about a month to go in her bid for re-election, Gov. Kristi Noem announced during a campaign stop Wednesday in Rapid City that if given a second term, she will push to carve out an exemption to the state’s 4.5 percent sales tax rate for goods purchased at grocery stores.