After the ceremonial opening last week of speeches from the governor, chief justice, and the tribal chairman, the legislature has begun the work of the 2025 session. I am serving on three committees; Commerce and Energy, Taxation, and Retirement Laws (as chairman). All three committees have met and begun evaluating legislation. The committee process is methodical, respectful, and thorough, producing a vetted document that goes for further consideration by the full House of Representatives. Bill proposals are introduced at a brisk pace. I tend to focus on the ones coming before me in committee and studying the ones that make it through committee hearings.
I am hearing from constituents on three main topics: restoring funding for the State Library and South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and several school voucher (education savings accounts) proposals that have been introduced. From teachers, county librarians, parents concerned about summer reading programs, and homeschool parents, they have expressed a desire to maintain State Library services. Constituents from all five counties in District 24 are very passionate about this issue. There are similar concerns about maintaining funding for South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
The Governor’s budget recommendations include reductions for both the State Library and South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Reversing these cuts will require collaboration with the appropriations committee and support from my fellow legislators. I intend to use my vote and influence to support funding for these entities at their current levels.
Regarding school voucher bills that have been introduced, I have a fundamental problem supporting them for a couple of reasons. Public funds generated by sales taxes and fees should not go towards alternative education options. I support a parent’s choice to educate their children through homeschooling or private education schools. However, since we fund public education with taxpayers’ money, those alternative choice expenses should be paid with private funds. Additionally, these school voucher bills will be costly and adversely affect our already stressed state budget.
For those who follow bill introductions online at sdlegislature.gov, I am the prime sponsor of HB 1073, HB 1050, HB 1057, and HB 1098 with a few more bills coming. If you’re interested or have any questions, I am happy to discuss these with you.
On Thursday, we held the annual memorial service for legislators who passed away in the previous year. I feel compelled to write a bit about Bernie Stoeser, who served in the House of Representative in the 1970’s and who I had the pleasure of knowing. He served in the legislature during the years I was attending NSU, and I definitely wasn’t paying attention to the workings of state government at that time. I did, however, have the opportunity to do business with him and his family years later. I always enjoyed his ready smile, his keen business sense, his pleasant personality, and the fact that we could do business on a handshake. He was a good man with sound judgement who raised a wonderful family and served his community and state very well.
Thank you for reading this legislative update. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.
– mw