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**Rep. Susan Wismer
Tuesday morning the Joint Appropriations committee heard reports on three programs that have generated much discussion. An expensive computer system to be used for research at universities around the state, call the REED network is now functional and should be helpful in the Regent's efforts to promote a research culture. The Birth to Three Program and the School for the Deaf, which the Governor had proposed cutting, were rescued after extensive hearings, with promises of reviewing delivery methods for these services to be sure needs were being met in the most efficient manner.
Monday we listened one last time to the economic experts make predictions about state tax collections. The committee was even more pessimistic about the economy than our experts. So we chose a revenue number that was lower than either the Legislative Research Council's or Bureau of Finance and Management's projections and lower than the prior year's estimate, which hasn't happened for a long time. This in turn confirmed substantial projected deficits for both FY09 ($71 million) and FY10. President Obama's stimulus package is riding to the rescue, however. The education and Medicaid stimulus dollars are going to allow us to balance the budget without any further service cuts or tax or fee increases for FY09. The Budget office is relying on those funds to carry us through the FY09, FY10, and FY11 budget years.
Late last week we heard the first of the stimulus package amendments to the current year's budget. One that will generate jobs is $16.6 million for forestry issues such as pruning of existing trees, fire suppression, planting new trees, and removal of hazardous trees. There are several programs that are aimed toward energy conservation, such as weatherizing homes, financing public transit improvements, and installing wood chip boilers in some West River state facilities. There are also funds that will be available for increased TANF caseloads, food stamps, child care assistance, and unemployment assistance to those losing their jobs. There are very large infusions for education and transportation. I'll try to get a better understanding of those for next week.
I am concerned that the transportation stimulus dollars are not going to flow to our local entities. Furthermore, the license plate fee increase tied to a gas tax increase appears to be in jeopardy, in part because it's easy for legislators to use the stimulus dollars as an excuse to put off that hard decision for another year.
I witnessed one of the skirmishes in the continuing disagreement between the vocational technical schools and the Governor's office last week during a hearing on a special appropriation for them. The schools have been successful in obtaining a series of one-time funding infusions to try to stay current in meeting the state's job training needs, but they met with extra resistance this year. The administration was making an extra hard stance of wanting more executive control over the direction of the schools before they considered more funding. As it turned out, the stimulus package will help out with pressing needs there as well, which just put off the policy argument for another year.
It's hard to believe this is the final week of session already. I'm looking forward to seeing how this chapter of the story ends. It has been an honor to represent District 1 and I look forward to continuing to learn during the interim. Stay tuned for further developments! Feel free to contact me with questions you may have. Please be sure to give me a name and address! It's nice to be able to place the people who write. I'm at Rep.Wismer@state.sd.us
**Representative H. Paul Dennert
At the time of this week's report, we are still waiting for more information on the federal stimulus dollars. It will be during the last week when we start working on the General Bill. At that time, we will know more about how the stimulus dollars can be used for our 2009, 2010, and possibly into the 2011 budget year.
In the Appropriations Committee this week, we tabled SB 203, which is the funding for the Birth-to-Three Program. The tabling motion was in order because the program will be funded in the 2010 General Bill. The funding for Birth-to-Three is best served in the General Bill because that will make it a continuing program. I served on the sub-committee and I really enjoyed all of the families that came forward to testify about the program and how it benefited their children. I was also contacted in person, by phone, and through e-mail by a great number of constituents. Thank you everyone for your input; your friendships are of great importance to me.
On Thursday, the House Taxation Committee heard SB 3 which is the legislation to change the way we value Ag land for tax purposes. SB 3 and companion bills SB 4 and SB 149 passed and will be heard on the House floor during the final week of session.
The Appropriations Committee has been amending the FY 2009 budget mostly because the Federal stimulus dollars can be used for the 2009 budget. We have been told, due to the stimulus dollars, that there will be approximately 100 amendments that we will have to act on in committee the final week on our FY 2010 budget.
The last week of session as always, we will be taking action on several issues including education funding, funding for ATC's, nursing homes, and others. On Friday, March 6, we had our revenue projections for FY 2010; it appears that funding for state government will be flat at best. The federal stimulus dollars will be a great help for us as it will be providing revenue for us, so we can keep several good programs in place.
I know that I will be spending some long days at the Capitol during the last week of session, but if you need to, please contact me and I will respond as soon as possible.
Thanks for your support,
Representative H. Paul Dennert
**Representative Jason Frerichs
Our Legislative Session is approaching the end very soon. Friday, March 13th is the 39th Legislative Day, and then we will return two weeks later and deal with the Governor's vetoes.
Summer studies are the focus of committee discussion at this point in the Session. I hope that one of the chosen summer studies will center on wind energy issues in South Dakota. Wind energy is on its way all across our state and more specifically in the north half of South Dakota. All parties need to be covered in this study: community-based, corporately-owned, developers, and individual owners. We all need to be informed when making decisions on easements, and always ensure that we receive the fairest price possible. Patience is a characteristic that I continue to work towards in this Legislative process, and I know we can lead the Nation in wind energy production!
Senate Bill 91 passed the State House. SB 91 has been a very interesting bill for our school districts. This bill will allow capital outlay funds to be used to cover energy and insurance costs for three years. I opposed this bill as I feel it disregards the pure intention of the capital outlay fund.
Properly establishing the value of agriculture land continues to be the topic of discussion in the halls of our Capitol. There are a couple of bills that continue to refine the shift towards valuing agriculture property on a production basis instead of market value. I support this change to value land and utilize numbers that are fair for everyone.
Senate Bill 115 received adequate support in the House of Representatives and will be in the Governor's office for his approval. I supported SB 115 because it is important to all landowners in South Dakota. The intent of this bill is to insure that any landowners who sign a petition to request a hearing of the local planning and zoning board must be registered voters. This bill does not affect a referral vote; it only affects the petition process for a hearing.
The cooperative education bill, SB 136 was narrowly approved by the State House. I have been strongly opposed to this bill and fought hard against it, because it removes the requirement that cooperatives designate 1-5% of their net profit towards cooperative education.
I enjoy serving you and I would like to hear your thoughts on the issues. Please send me an email at rep.frerichs@state.sd.us. I also provide legislative updates on my website: www.jasonfrerichs.com. Feel free to give me a ring anytime at 949-2204 or 773-3851.
Your Representative Jason Frerichs, Wilmot
**Sen. Gary Hanson
This week, the foremost issue on the minds of legislators has been the state budget. With only one more week, legislators are working to understand the federal stimulus package and to ensure that essential services are protected. On Tuesday, the South Dakota legislature had a conference call with a representative from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The NCSL representative commended South Dakota for being proactive in trying to maximize the benefits for the state. I am particularly supportive of the transportation allocation, which mandates that the state develop new construction projects. This provision will expand South Dakota's infrastructure, will improve roads, and will create jobs.
My colleagues and I have worked throughout the legislative term to protect critical services, such as the Birth to Three program and the State Fair. When the Governor first proposed his budget, he cut programs that aid some of the weakest in our society, such as the children with developmental delays who benefit from Birth to Three. Additionally, he cut programs that promote South Dakota culture, such as the State Fair and the State Arts Council. Today, Governor Rounds has retracted his interest in cutting these programs. I attribute this success to the efforts of legislators who built a strong coalition to resist the Governor's efforts.
At the beginning of the 2009 legislative session, the Smoking Ban originally failed to pass through the Senate. Then, the South Dakota House of Representatives introduced and passed a similar bill. On Monday of this week, the Senate Health and Human Services committee reconsidered the smoking ban bill and unanimously passed the House bill. On Wednesday, the Senate considered the bill on the floor. The bill yielded heated debate. The proponents of the bill said the state government should pass the bill, so to protect waitresses, bartenders, and customers from second hand smoke health hazards. These proponents also worked to reject the argument that a smoking ban would hurt local businesses. The opposition primarily argued that the state government should leave the decision to business owners. The bill ended up passing in the Senate by 21 to 14.
This has been a busy week, but on Wednesday evening, legislators spared some time for fun. On Wednesday night the Senate and the House suited up and played basketball. The annual basketball game is a fundraiser for the Kids Voting Network. This year, legislators raise thousands of dollars that will encourage civic engagement among South Dakota youth.
Thank you for sending me your letters and emails. As we enter into the last week of session, I encourage you to continue expressing your views on up-coming issues because I greatly appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Sen. Gary Hanson
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©Marshall County Journal 2010
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