Greetings to you all. Discussions in Pierre are getting more intense. Days are longer now as we either pass bills out of the House and on to the Senate or dispose of them by crossover day on February 25.
In House Education, we discussed how we could possibly amend funding for special education and teacher funding (HB1205). The change would be to adjust how student enrollment and funding factors are calculated while setting a minimum of three percent index factor. Student enrollment in this bill would include students under the care of state agencies, such as Redfield Development Center, Aspire, etc. It would also create new ways for calculating local need as well as addressing sparsity. On an 8-6 vote, this bill was sent to Appropriations without recommendation. We now wait for their opinion.
We also had HB1217 in Education. Mr. Ben Straka from Oregon, and an Minnehaha Rep., introduced the bill designed to go after the South Dakota and National Teachers’ Union. Much information was presented as to how schools are giving money to this union and allow too much time off for teachers to attend union activities. One argument presented is that schools waste too much time on payroll deductions to send money to SDEA on behalf of members. I did some checking and most teachers just write a personal check if they choose to join. There are a few who do not want to pay a lump sum so have made arrangements to for a payment to be subtracted from their monthly checks until paid. I also checked on the supposed “time off” for union activities. Some schools have no SDEA members, some allow 2 or 3 members to take 1 day off for attending the SDEA convention but must use personal leave. I find it all quite interesting that with so few SDEA members in South Dakota, Mr. Straka, who is supported by billionaires like the Koch brothers and Mr. Coors, would devote so much time and travel to try to break up a union like this. It must go beyond: maybe total union busting is the goal so their own companies do not have to negotiate with workers for higher wages/benefits. Just my opinion.
In Commerce and Energy, we heard HB1198. This bill asked that certain high energy use facilities obtain conditional use permits from adjacent political subdivisions. Just an overview: Gemini now owns land between Brandon and Sioux Falls. The land was then annexed into the city of Sioux Falls, leaving the Brandon residents who are in close proximity to the project seemingly without recourse. Many residents of that area came to our committee in hopes that we would grant them the ability to make their case. They had maps which verified how close some would be to the project seemingly without any recourse.
After lengthy discussion, we passed this bill onto the House, where it died a miserable death, at least for now. I do not see this issue just going away. The residents definitely will not be experiencing “health and happiness” unless setbacks could be put into place perhaps.
Last week, I warned the readers about scams. HB1238 was introduced as a measure to protect financial institutions taking action to prevent elderly or vulnerable people from exploitation of their life savings. The sponsor of the bill related a story about a grandfather who lived in Nebraska. He got a call that his grandchild was in trouble and needed a large amount of money. With the sophistication of AI nowadays, scammers can create voices that sound like people we know and love. Thus, the grandfather rushed to the bank to withdraw money. Nebraska had a pause law, which enabled them to contact a family member before issuing any money. The grandfather found out all was well with his grandchild and the bank spared him of losing his hard-earned money. We passed this bill both in committee and on the floor. What a great protection device! These are the types of bills that are good, sound legislation.
We have many contentious bills yet to discuss. Next week, we will be discussing property tax issues.
Many bills are out there on the subject, and we will be selecting those that are most workable. We all have a different view of taxes depending on location and the increased values in our homes and property as of late. Many people criticize schools for causing our increases in taxes. While that may be very true for some of our bigger cities, I have heartburn with regard to municipal taxes that are three times higher than school taxes, in my personal case. This brings me to a point: even though we are South Dakotans and share many similarities, we also have vast differences from area to area. That is a main reason why we continue to debate, argue, and seek compromises with which we can all live.
Until next time, if you have views on a certain piece of legislation, do not read just the title. Study the bill, and email your likes or concerns. Do not wait until “after the fact” when Rep, Van Diepen, Senator Wipf, or I are at the stage where it is too late to try to do anything. We all have best interests in mind, but understand that we do not always understand causes and effects (i.e. unintended consequences) on every subject. All three of us are humble enough to know we are not masters of all subjects before us. I can tell you, though, that all three of us work for South Dakota and not just some national agendas.
Respectfully,
Rep. Lana Greenfield
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