While it was a four-day week, it felt much longer. This was likely due to the legislative debates on topics that, in my view, don't significantly improve South Dakota's competitiveness, compassion, or overall well-being. I'll try to keep this update positive, but I find that challenging given the nature of the bills we addressed.
This week's bills included proposals to:
Required candidates running for their local school board to declare a party affiliation.
Prohibited the Board of Regents from making certain housing or meal plan requirements.
Provide exemptions for certain vaccinations because of conscience.
Prohibit unauthorized access to certain multi-occupancy rooms (changing rooms and restrooms).
Require that drivers’ licenses reflect biological sex.
Revise certain defenses for librarians for dissemination of material harmful to minors and obscenity.
I apologize if any of these topics are important to you and my perspective offends you. However, I believe these bills foster division and disregard existing policies and procedures that aim to maintain order and common sense. No system is perfect, but I don't think we need drastic measures to address issues that could be resolved through civil discussion and a focus on improvement.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the House's decision not to transfer funds from the general fund into the incarceration construction fund. This transfer would have set aside funds for future use and earned a higher interest rate. While it seemed like a sound business decision to me, it unfortunately didn't pass. The debate on this bill strayed from the core issue (the transfer of funds) and focused on the proposed site of the new men's prison. The bill lost by two votes and will be reconsidered on Monday.
Despite these challenges, the highlight of the week was engaging in thoughtful conversations with the diverse and talented individuals who make up our citizen legislature. I'm continually impressed by those who offer unique perspectives and life experiences.
Thank you for reading, and I appreciate the kind words of encouragement I received this week. I apologize for the brevity of this update; I'm feeling a bit drained. I'll see you next week.
–mw