The legislative session has gotten underway

Greetings! It is finally upon us. The South Dakota legislative session started Jan. 14. It sure seemed like forever to get here, with a six-way contested Primary Election in June and a contested General Election in November. It’s finally time to go to Pierre and do the job you elected us to do.
My platform in both elections was property tax reform and that is my focus this session. We have a bill right out of the chute and a couple more to follow. I’ll write specifically again about that in future articles.
So, what else? Well, during the governor’s budget address in December, she discussed three topics that have lit up my email as well as the other 104 legislators.  Those are:
1. Cuts in library funds
2. Cuts to South Dakota Public TV
3. Four million in school vouchers to home school and parochial school students
We will see how these cuts shake out and I will keep you posted.
Another huge expenditure is building a state penitentiary. The cost is $800 million. The governor and her staff, along with the legislature, have done a good job socking Covid monies forced on us to pay for most of this $800 million expenditure.
The governor asked for $182 million to pay cash for this new facility. No money borrowed.
I had a lady leave me a voicemail regarding not needing a new penitentiary. When I called her back, I told her I couldn’t wait to hear about a facility constructed before statehood Nov. 21, 1889, not being needed. Sorry, my sarcasm got away from me. I’m sure that the penitentiary issue will need a whole article of its own.
So, what’s next? We swore into our new office the first day, Jan. 14.  The governor gave the State of the State address that was on, ironically, South Dakota Public TV. You can watch session live every day on SDPB2 for the House of Representatives and SDPB3 for the Senate. Visit SDPB.org/schedules for specifics for each of the 38 days of session.
A funny story: When I was in the legislature before, I had groupies watching session each day. They would take turns going to each other’s houses or garages to watch.  
While watching, they would text me with questions which I would try to answer after session was over for the day. The one that broke the proverbial camel’s back was when they texted me and asked who was the person I was just talking to! Who accuses the public of not being involved?
To the citizens of District 30 and to the men and women in uniform, in honor of all who served, in respectful memory of all who fell and in great appreciation to those who serve today, thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you.