The Final Push…

Crossover day is upon us, and after that, there are only 10 Legislative Days until Veto Day. Crossover day is the day that all bills must move from their body of origin. In other words, all Senate bills must have been heard in committee and either eliminated or moved to the Senate floor, and then heard and either passed or lost. After Crossover day, the real budget negotiations begin. We’re working on the nursing home situation, and it is key in the budget negotiations, along with community service providers, education, and state employee compensation. Without giving away any secrets, Governor Noem’s budget made some very bold initiatives, most of which draw wide support among most of the Legislature. We have some of our own ideas, and we are advancing those ideas, but like I’ve said many times in this space, most of what we do in Appropriations isn’t particularly newsworthy—It’s akin to a family sitting around the dining room table discussing our priorities for the year ahead and choosing how to spend what limited resources we have.

Other bills we are hearing this week include providing tuition assistance to those doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals, two of which are practicing in Milbank. This was a promise made to those young people who promised to settle in our smaller towns, and I’m proud to champion this legislation in the Senate. I’m also proud to let you know that Representative Deutsch’s bill to allow adoption of children up to age 21 under circumstances was passed unanimously in the South Dakota Senate. I was proud to have a small part in legally bringing families together. There are many other bills that will gain headlines, but these are the little things that fly under the radar that positively affect real South Dakotans in our District.

A huge thank you to Caitlin Kroemer of Milbank for serving as a page this week. She is representing our district and her home town very well.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the South Dakota Senate. You may contact me via email at wiikfor4@gmail.com, you may listen to floor and committee debate at sd.net and you may view all the bills at sdlegislature.gov