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SESSION WEEK THREE – What a week
The increase in bills filed this year is evident by the workload. As of this writing, we’re sitting at 384 bills filed: 192 from each chamber. We’ve hit the deadline for unlimited bill introduction and January 31st is the final day each legislator can introduce individual bills (a max of up to three more bills/each). Last Read more
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SESSION WEEK TWO – Some Wins and Some Setbacks
The whirlwind pace for this session continued into our second week. Committee meetings were stacked with bill hearings, floor sessions included lots of debates, and every day we had lots of visitors! I started the legislative week with a “win” by getting my HB 1041 past the South Dakota House of Representatives. After my floor Read more
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SESSION WEEK ONE – The Beginning of the 99th Legislative Session
This week marked the start of the 99th Legislative Session and we’re already off and running! We heard from Governor Noem on the “State of the State” Tuesday, the Chief Justice on the “State of the Judiciary,” and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Vice President Cyndi Allen-Weddel on the “State of the Tribes” Wednesday. Prior to Read more
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Giving Power Back to the People: All Party Voters Should Have a Say in Their Party’s Nominee
In the spirit of democracy, South Dakota has an opportunity to elevate the voices of its citizens through a proposal that would reshape the process of selecting statewide officials. At the heart of this resolution lies a simple yet powerful principle: putting the voters first. The current method of allowing a small group of people Read more
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SESSION WEEK NINE
The deal is done! The 98th Legislative Session is one for the history books. Minus veto day coming up at the end of the month, we’ve finally reached the end of the session. Our House of Representatives operated at a highly efficient level and with camaraderie and unification not witnessed in decades. Our ability to work Read more
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SESSION WEEK EIGHT
One lap left! With eight weeks down and one to go, we are approaching the end of the 98th Legislative Session. But before we head out the door, we have a budget to pass. Our appropriations committee has spent some long days preparing a balanced budget, and we will consider it in final form in the coming Read more