In the fourth episode of It’s More Than a House, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson joined Black Hills Habitat Executive Director Scott Engmann for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that spanned everything from housing affordability to international trade—and even floated the idea of buying the Panama Canal.
The podcast, produced by HomeSlice Audio in partnership with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity, aims to connect local stories to larger forces shaping life in western South Dakota. And few guests embody that duality better than Johnson.
“Housing is where everything starts,” Johnson said. “If you’re financially unstable, it affects every part of your life. For some folks, needing new tires is a pain. For others, it’s a financial catastrophe.”
Johnson, who grew up in a working-class family in Pierre, reflected on how those early experiences shaped his empathy for families struggling with rising housing costs. With one in eleven South Dakotans spending more than half their income on housing, the episode underscored how critical the issue has become statewide.
“There’s no community in the state that has both a traditional four-year public college and a technical college—except Rapid City,” Johnson pointed out, describing the city as uniquely poised for sustainable growth, if paired with intentional development and regulatory reform.
Scott Engmann, co-host and Habitat director, echoed that optimism. “There’s a real energy here, from entrepreneurs to Elevate’s tech corridor to the new housing going up in Box Elder. But we need more starter homes—about 2,000 across South Dakota—and we need them yesterday.”
On that front, Johnson didn’t hold back in assigning blame. “Government regulations are a huge part of the problem. The National Association of Home Builders pegged the cost of regulations at $93,000 per home back in 2021. It’s higher now.”
He also raised concern about inflation driven by federal spending and trade imbalances—especially when it comes to construction materials like lumber. “Tariffs can be effective tools,” Johnson said, “but if they become long-term policy driven by protectionism, we all end up paying more.”
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising moment of the episode came when Johnson discussed a bill he introduced authorizing the president to negotiate the purchase of the Panama Canal. “I’m not saying we’ve got to run the thing,” he explained, “but 73% of its traffic is U.S.-bound. If China’s influence grows there, it becomes a national security issue.”
Johnson also addressed concerns about veterans, Social Security, and Medicare amid looming federal budget cuts. “There’s been a lot of fear-mongering. But no one in Republican leadership is proposing cuts to veterans’ benefits or Social Security. Inaction is the real threat to those programs.”
Asked about his political future, Johnson didn’t dodge: “I’m seriously considering running for governor in 2026. But right now, I’m focused on my current job—and spending time with my family every weekend, even if my wife isn’t always thrilled to see me,” he quipped.
The episode, filled with humility, humor, and hard policy, closed with an invitation from Engmann: “We hope to get you out swinging a hammer on a Habitat build sometime soon.” Johnson replied with a grin, “I’d love it.”
Listeners can hear the full conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at homesliceaudio.com/house.
Because in South Dakota, as the show’s tagline reminds us, building a great community takes more than a house—it takes leadership, partnership, and heart.
