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The Question and Answer feature helps readers learn more about prominent people in the business community. This issue’s Q&A profiles Scott Heidepriem, a partner in Johnson, Heidepriem, Janklow, Abdallah & Johnson LLP and a Democratic state lawmaker.
 Scott Heidepriem is a partner in Johnson, Heidepriem, Janklow, Abdallah & Johnson LLP. (Inertia/for the SFBJ)
Name: Scott Heidepriem
Title: Partner in Johnson, Heidepriem, Janklow, Abdallah & Johnson LLP; state Senate minority leader
Hometown: Miller
Age: 51
Background: Graduated from Miller High School in 1974; received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and a juris doctorate from the University of South Dakota; received a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University; served in the Legislature from 1982 to 1992 while living in Miller; moved to Sioux Falls in 1992; co-founded the law firm in 1993; elected to the state Senate from District 13 in 2006
Family: Wife, Susan; two sons, Sam, 20, and Pete, 16; and Fenway, a Boston terrier
Q: Tell me about your interests and hobbies.
A: “South Dakota history, running and golf.”
Q: How did you become interested in law?
A: “My dad, Herb Heidepriem, was a lawyer. I always thought of him as the Atticus Finch of Miller. He did farmers’ tax returns and tried the occasional murder case. My older sister, Nikki, also became a lawyer. She does not currently practice but is a consultant in Washington, D.C.”
Q: How did you become interested in politics?
A: “Again, my dad was in the state Senate from the year of my birth, 1956, until I was 12. I literally grew up around the Senate chamber in Pierre. Rules were more relaxed then. I remember Art Anderson, a senator from Sioux Falls, was gone one day, and my dad let me sit at his desk. When the roll was called, I answered for Senator Anderson. The lieutenant governor at the time was Lem Overpeck. He was presiding over the Senate. He politely asked my dad, who was assistant majority leader, to evict me from the chamber. He did so.”
Q: What’s the biggest issue of concern to businesses that will be debated in the Legislature this year?
A: “Last year was really historic in our state. For the first time that I can recall, the Sioux Falls chamber came to Pierre to make a pitch for more funding for K-12 education, arguing that it was really an economic development issue. I agreed completely, and co-sponsored the bill. It passed the Senate, but it died in the House. I was really surprised at the number of Sioux Falls House members who opposed the chamber’s position. We will try again this year, and I hope the chamber once again comes to Pierre to press the case for education. Also, the chamber has been very active in early childhood development, another issue that could not get passed by the House. I am hoping we have better luck this year. It is also important to note that we can achieve both these without an increase in taxes and by fostering local control.”
Q: What issue will you champion?
A: “It is important that each level of government consider its appropriate role. For instance, we really object when the federal government imposes unfunded mandates on state government. In fact, we have taken the federal government to court because of it in the past. And then we do the same thing to local government. We need to remind ourselves that our school board members, county commissioners and city councilmen expect to be held accountable for their decisions at their level of government. So should we. State legislators should be responsible for state government and should get out of the way of local government whenever and wherever possible. There is a real desire in Pierre to concentrate power in Pierre. We need to resist that concentration.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: “I really enjoy the people you meet from all over South Dakota. The legislative session is really like a two-month long, statewide reunion. Second, I enjoy the debate about the future of our state. It is so very important for all of us to focus on the future.”
Q: How do you find time to balance your job and your family?
A: “I stayed out of politics for 14 years while my sons were growing up, and I am really glad that I did. I am married to a woman of inexhaustible patience and good humor, and she is the one who makes the balance work. I honestly could not do it without her.”
Q: What is something about you that people might be surprised to know?
A: “I played in a rock ’n’ roll band in my younger days. When I was replaced as lead singer, the band suddenly got good. I believe it was a coincidence.”
Q: What’s your favorite getaway?
A: “Susan accuses me of being an old guy because what I really enjoy doing on the weekends is to get a good cup of coffee and then drive the perimeter of this incredible city, looking at all the new construction and growth. I still can’t get over it.”
Q: What kind of music is in your car or what do you listen to on the radio?
A: “Anything by Keith Urban, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Neil Young, Tom Petty, early Gordon Lightfoot and, of course, anything, anything at all, by Sioux Falls’ own Dan Mahar.”
Q: If you could have dinner with two or three people, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
A: “My dad Herb Heidepriem, my mom Bobbie Heidepriem and my brother Stephen Heidepriem. I miss them all. All those meals together over all those years, and you really take them for granted. If I could have just one more or even a replay of one we actually experienced, it would make me very happy. There are many things I would like to ask them.”
Q: What do you think are the best and worst things about living in Sioux Falls?
A: “As we transition from a great smaller city to a great larger city, we really have the chance to do it right. We need to take care of the engine of our prosperity, our positive business climate. We need to celebrate the diversity of our citizens, making sure there is room at the table for everyone. And to really get it right, it is important for us to always remember where we came from.”
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