Rhoden changes governor's credit card policy
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Gov. Larry Rhoden is taking a different approach than Kristi Noem had when it comes to the office's state government credit card.
That's according to the head of state government's Bureau of Finance and Management.
Commissioner Jim Terwilliger told the Legislature's Government Operations and Audit Committee on Thursday about changes that he said Rhoden has put in place since becoming governor in January.
Murder charge against Yankton man dismissed
In an effort to be more transparent, Terwilliger said Rhoden has started separating the South Dakota Highway Patrol's charges for providing the governor's 24-hour security from the charges he makes as governor for travel and expenses.
Terwilliger said Rhoden also canceled some subscriptions such as for Sirius radio that were paid by Noem with a state credit card.
Lawmakers on the committee sharply questioned in general the credit-card charges Noem made when she was governor.
Noem resigned from the office in January after the U.S. Senate confirmed her appointment as federal Homeland Security secretary.
The South Dakota Constitution provides that the lieutenant governor becomes governor when there is a vacancy.
Republican Sen. Taffy Howard said Noem traveled to more than 30 states during her six years as governor, taking her security team with her.
Howard said Noem used a government credit card to charge non-travel expenses, too.
State Auditor Rich Sattgast testified Thursday that his office sometimes questioned but never denied a credit-card charge made by a governor.
Republican Rep. Marty Overweg, Republican Rep. Julie Auch and Democratic Sen. Red Dawn Foster said they have faced questions from constituents about Noem's use of government credit cards.
Sattgast said the Legislature could place limits on their use.
Howard said the committee might return to the issue later this year regarding possible legislation for the 2026 session.
The Dakota Scout was first to obtain Noem's credit card records from the state auditor's office. KELOLAND News also received the records.
Terwilliger, however, said the credit-card charges weren't hidden.
He said they are available on the open.sd.gov website and can be found by checking payments state government made to First Premier Bank.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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