Senate Passes Rounds’ Easement Disclosure Amendment to Energy Bill
Old Senator Mike Rounds February 2, 2016 0
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today applauded the passage of his easement disclosure amendment to the bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act. The amendment would establish a federal education program to make certain landowners are given all of the... Read more
Gov. Daugaard’s Education Reform Bills Filed
Old Governor Dennis Daugaard February 2, 2016 0
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Legislative Research Council has officially filed Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s education reform bills which are now online for the public to view. “South Dakotans want us to be bold,” said Gov. Daugaard. “They are tired of hearing how South Dakota is 51st in teacher pay.... Read more
Last minute
Old John Wiik February 1, 2016 0
Last Thursday was the deadline for unlimited bill introduction. After that, any legislator may only introduce 3 bills or resolutions before the hard deadline of next Thursday, February 4th. I have one left that the Legislative Research Council staff are working on, but if it’s not done in time, we’ll... Read more
Long-Term Budget Forecast: Debt Crisis is Here
Old Senator Mike Rounds January 29, 2016 0
While Washington, D.C., was digging out of nearly two feet of snow from winter storm Jonas last week, another kind of storm was unveiled to the American public: the federal budget outlook for the next ten years. The report, issued by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), forecasts a... Read more
Update On The USS South Dakota
Old Governor Dennis Daugaard January 29, 2016 0
When thinking about South Dakota, naval prowess might not be the first thing to come to mind. Still, our state has a strong and proud naval history – from the men and women who have answered the call to serve to the ships that have borne the name USS... Read more
Bicycles, Baby Parts and Bathroom Privacy
Old Fred Deutsch January 29, 2016 0
My apologies for not writing last week. This has been a busy but rewarding week. Two of the bills I sponsored successfully passed out of committee and were debated on the House Floor. The bill I am carrying on behalf of our veterans passed 13-0 in committee and 68-0... Read more
Well, that escalated quickly.
Old John Wiik January 25, 2016 0
Last year, my first year as a new legislator, I was told a lot about drinking from the fire hose. At first, I thought that was some way of scaring the new guy. They were doing their best to get my mind around what was about to happen, and they... Read more
Over the last several years, various states have been considering pension reform to address funding shortfalls. Some have looked at increasing employee contributions. Others have considered raising their retirement age or lowering benefits. Pennsylvania is now attempting to deal with $50 billion in unfunded pension obligations and a funded... Read more
Rounds Joins Bipartisan Effort to Reinstate Inurnment Rights to Women Airforce Service Pilots at Arlington National Cemetery
Old Senator Mike Rounds January 21, 2016 0
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today cosponsored S. 2437, the Women Airforce Service Pilot Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act of 2016, bipartisan legislation to authorize inurnment of Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Current law prevents WASPs, who flew domestic missions during World War II, from... Read more
Rounds Supports New North Korean Sanctions
Old Senator Mike Rounds January 21, 2016 0
WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) cosponsored legislation to impose new sanctions against North Korean officials involved in nuclear program and proliferation activities, as well as human rights abuses. “While much of our attention has been on conflicts in the Middle East, we must not forget the military aggression... Read more
