SD Legislative candidate survey: Bekki Engquist-Schroeder

(Dakota News Now) - Rebecca (Bekki) Engquist-Schroeder is running as a Democrat for the South Dakota State House in District 17. District 17 stretches along the borders of Nebraska and Iowa, and includes the communities of Vermillion, Elk Point, and North Sioux City. There are two Republicans also in this race, Chris Kassin and William Shorma. Rebecca (Bekki) Engquist-Schroeder is running for the South Dakota State House as a Democrat in District 17. Tell us about yourself in 100 words or less. I am Bekki, a small business owner from rural Clay County, who values public service, South Dakotans, and getting work done. Since starting my campaign I have led with Common Sense and Real Representation as my motto. I have a strong skillset of listening, problem solving and getting results. We need more small business owners in Pierre to ensure accurate representation. We also need more women in Pierre for the same reason. When everyone has a represented seat at the table, the policies are more suited to serve all of us in a balanced and effective way. We deserve that as hard working South Dakotans. What prompted you to run for office? It takes a lot of planning, organizing and time to run and serve as an elected official. I admire anyone who tries. I knew this was the election cycle for me to get involved after first considering running for office in 2018. Both of my businesses are in really good places and that allows me to step away and begin elected public service. I am so proud of both teams and businesses. I know that as a small business owner I have a great skill set of problem solving, working with various groups and people, personalities and issues, and doing it in a way that produces results. I take accountability seriously and am accessible to all as a main street business owner. I am easy to find and always willing to listen. What public policies are you passionate about? What would your policy priorities be in Pierre? I am passionate about enacting and affecting policies that serve South Dakotans better. I hear from others and am also concerned with educator pay in SD, the daycare shortage that directly affects the worker shortage to name a few. South Dakotans deserve effective decision making, not political theatrics. Policies that affect hard working South Dakotans need to be prioritized, no matter what party you align with. I want to represent my district in Pierre, and work with as many in the legislature as possible to ensure our policies match the people they affect to produce the best outcomes. Cutting the grocery tax has become central to this election cycle. Do you think that the legislature should cut the grocery tax next legislative session? Are there any taxes you would cut instead, or in addition to? I am supportive of cutting sales tax on groceries, but it needs to be done incrementally and with progressive planning to ensure we aren’t trading one issue for another. We could have additional sales tax revenue to make up for it, if the will of the voters was always upheld in South Dakota. No matter which side of the aisle you are on-we all agree we want families and single people to afford food without raising anyone else’s taxes. The domicile nomads that avoid taxes in other states by taking up mailbox residency here do it for a reason, and that reason doesn’t benefit SD. Could we make up some tax dollars by no longer allowing outsiders to take advantage of us for free? I think we can with thoughtful policy. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier in the year. South Dakota currently has a law that prevents abortion almost completely outright. Are there any exceptions you would like to see the legislature enact? What other laws would you like to see passed to support mothers and families? Twice the voters in South Dakota have voted against a total abortion ban yet here we are. We have an unclear and unsafe trigger law as a result of the Dobbs decision. Who decides how close a woman comes to death before she can have an abortion and why are politicians telling physicians what to do? That said, I believe the legislature needs to stand up for South Dakota mothers and families, work together to enact clear policy to allow women their healthcare rights, and support those women and children. As a state we can extend Medicaid coverage to mothers for up to one year after giving birth and if we expect women to have to give birth, then we better show up to support them post-delivery. Funded Pre-K would also help not only by setting our kids up for success but also by allowing parents to return to t