Over 260 South Dakotans colored 4,321 paper dolls to represent the number of children affected by the state’s funding reduction for a program benefiting low-income families. The dolls were on display at the state Capitol in Pierre on Oct. 14, 2025. (Courtesy of Cathy Brechtelsbauer)
Protesters put 4,321 paper dolls on display Tuesday at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre, representing the number of children affected by the state’s funding reduction for a program benefiting low-income families.
Beth Davis, one of 264 people who helped decorate the paper dolls, put herself through college in the 1980s as a young, single mother raising her daughter with the help of Aid for Dependent Children, a precursor to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. She completed her degree and led a statewide nonprofit, Dakota Resources, for years.
“I was a good investment, and most of the women who are taking care of these kids and doing the best they can are a good investment,” Davis said.
The Department of Social Services reduced TANF benefits by 10% during the summer, affecting families’ September benefits and beyond. Recipients were expected to lose anywhere from $32 to $136 a month in benefits, depending on the size of their family. The average household was expected to lose $51 a month. The department has not yet released a monthly TANF data report since the benefit reduction took effect.
The state will save about $1.5 million annually. It distributed $15.3 million in TANF benefits last fiscal year.
The move is part of a larger plan to gradually reduce benefits each year to the minimum state contribution needed to receive federal funding. That’s about a 35% reduction, or $180 less per month for the average household, according to department officials. The average household’s monthly benefit payment last year was $518.06.
TANF is a federal-state program most commonly used to provide financial assistance to low-income families with children, on the condition that the caregiver searches or trains for a job.
The protest group got permission from the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration to place the paper doll display around part of the Capitol building. Some paper dolls were decorated with Halloween costumes — like tigers or mummies — while others wore NFL team shirts, colored by children and adults.
Organizer Cathy Brechtelsbauer wants lawmakers to reinstate the funding and set a cost of living adjustment going forward. The display caught the attention of out-of-state visitors to the building, but Brechtelsbauer said she doesn’t know if it caught Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden’s attention.
“We’re hoping the governor’s response will be, ‘That shouldn’t have happened. I’ll make sure these kids get the assistance for their basic needs they deserve and need,’” Brechtelsbauer said.
Rhoden was at a rural health care conference Tuesday in Sioux Falls. He told the media that the cuts are “sacrifices” caused in part by federal cuts to address the country’s “deficit problem.”
“We’re being as vigilant as we can at making these cuts, as appropriate as possible, and we’re always open to input as far as how we can do better,” Rhoden said. “But this is the hand we’re dealt and we’re doing the best we can to make sure that we’re acting in the most appropriate way, making the most appropriate cuts.”
While some federal funding for the state is being reduced, Sioux Falls Democratic Rep. Erik Muckey said the TANF cuts made by Rhoden’s administration “had nothing to do with the feds.” The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made cuts to programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, did not impact TANF.
“The decision made by the Department of Social Services went against the will of the Legislature with what we budgeted,” Muckey said.
Muckey tried unsuccessfully to persuade lawmakers on the legislative Rules Review Committee to reject the cuts. Muckey said he and other legislators on the budget committee believed a $5.3 million state funding cut would be replaced with unspent TANF funds from previous years.
Davis, who helped color the paper dolls but wasn’t able to attend the event on Tuesday, said that although there might be cuts to address state budget needs — due to federal changes or tight revenues — the state should find that money in other places rather than taking it away from low-income families.
“If the state Legislature can’t figure out another place, then we’re in deep trouble,” Davis said. “We don’t balance a budget on the backs of poor women and children.”
The display was up for Tuesday only, but Brechtelsbauer said a few paper dolls were left at the Capitol for Rhoden.
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