Gov. Kristi Noem’s office is announcing another Freedom Works Here ad—this one featuring the state’s executive as a nurse.
According to the state department of labor website, there are 1,500 open jobs for nurses and health care practitioners.
Noem’s new Freedom Works Here ad—featuring her in scrubs wheeling a patient on a gurney—seeks to chip away at that workforce shortage.
"We work hard, but we don't pay any state income tax, so you get to keep more of your own money," Noem said in the ad. "That should get your heart racing."
According to May 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a registered nurse in South Dakota is just under $62,920. The national average is $81,220.
The ad was announced Monday morning. Later that morning, the legislature’s Executive Board announced it will review the administration of the $6.5 million Freedom Works Here national ad campaign.
The Executive Board committee is comprised of lawmakers in leadership positions.
According to the news outlet Sioux Falls Live, the governor’s office held discussions with two out-of-state political firms about the workforce marketing campaign weeks before requests for proposals went live.
Republican Speaker of the House Hugh Bartels said the review is based on reporting about the Freedom Works Here ad campaign.
“We’re just reviewing the selection process and the laws around it. If you read the law, it’s really a subjective deal on services—who the party using it thinks will do the best service. I don’t know where it will go, but we’re going to look into it.”
Bartels said executive board topics are member driven. The committee will review the selection process on Monday.
