Veto Day!

Last DQ for the session!

We returned to Pierre for veto day, and it was good to be back. We kicked off with caucus at noon and heard all about the Richmond Dam problem near Aberdeen. We had approved funding earlier in the session to begin repairs, but midway through the session Commissioner of School and Public Lands Brock Greenfield was delivered a new bid that came in much higher than the original. HB 1026 had given us 13,046,882 dollars. The bill we approved yesterday, SB 121, adds another 8.2 million dollars and will get the project underway and completed. Six members were absent.

The state of South Dakota owns this dam, among others. The original work was to repair the spillway. It turned out the whole thing needs to be rebuilt. Aberdeen and Brown County are the biggest beneficiaries of this dam, along with the homeowners and recreationalists in the area. The state is responsible for the dam maintenance and upkeep. I fully support infrastructure of any kind. This dam is infrastructure, and it protects the downstream watershed and the folks who live there. Having said that, I also feel that the city of Aberdeen and Brown County, along with the residents on Richmond Lake, should help streamline this process. Maybe a little economic development and incentives would go a long way. I invite Aberdeen and Brown County to step up their game and work with us as full partners to get this vital project across the finish line.

We then moved on to HB 1077, the fake meat bill. The governor had vetoed this bill earlier, then came back with his own bill that created a moratorium on fake meat. I voted against the original, and several ag groups opposed it too. It was up for a veto override as the sponsor was motivated to take another crack at it. I got to vote against it again. This was pure symbolism, and continued evidence that some in Pierre are only up for the show. The veto override failed 32 to 32, well short of the 47 votes needed to override. Chalk this one up for Governor Rhoden.

The second attempt at a veto override was HB 1138. This bill would have created a minimal background check for caregivers entering someone’s home. Currently there is no background check for these folks. Crime upon vulnerable folks is increasing as the need for in-home caregivers increases, and there have been several occasions where this has happened. Representative Mellissa Heermann brought the bill originally and also attempted the veto override. I understand Governor Rhoden had concerns with administration of the bill, but protecting folks from bad actors is a primary role of government and I was a strong supporter throughout the session of the idea. I expect Representative Heermann will bring it back next year.

That finished up the session. We saw far too much symbolism on display this year with very little productive legislation passed. I voted for a couple of bills that I now regret voting for. There was a record number of bills (approximately 571 bills were formally introduced to the legislature). Including resolutions and commemorations, lawmakers considered over 615 total items. The governor signed 239 bills into law. A record number of bills (49) were withdrawn by their prime sponsors. Several bills were ultimately watered down and will be used solely as gotcha items on the scorecards that will be coming out soon. There will be plenty from antagonistic folks only interested in their own or their candidates’ re-election. Again, symbolism over substance.

It is truly rewarding to serve as your legislator. To everyone who reached out during the session, thank you. Your voices and engagement are sincerely appreciated. And to those who answered the phone and provided information or guidance when it was needed, I am genuinely grateful.

I am running again as your incumbent representative. This experience has strengthened the commitment to keep District 4 moving forward. Pragmatism can sometimes feel pretty boring, but if you have ever seen me in action, you know I am no show pony, just a workhorse with my shoulders to the collar. We will continue working pragmatically and with clear focus to keep the role of government limited and restrained while encouraging entrepreneurs and businesses to take a serious look at District 4 and South Dakota.

I would greatly appreciate your vote on June 2.