Gov. Noem says she will not call for a special session of the legislature

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said Wednesday she will not call a special session of the legislature to repeal the state’s tax on groceries because she does not have the votes. If lawmakers did repeal the tax on food, it would happen during a special session, meaning they would need a 2/3rds vote to complete the job. Governor Noem admitted she did not have those votes right now, despite promising to repeal the tax if re-elected. In denying a special session Governor Noem was responding to calls from her challenger Democrat Jamie Smith and a conservative block of lawmakers eager to cut taxes anyway possible.