Pierre
USD students voice their opinions of IM 22
UPDATE – South Dakota Senate members voted to approve House Bill 1069 to repeal IM 22 with a vote of 27 to 8, on Wednesday night. The approval of HB 1069 disappointed supporters of Represent South Dakota, Doug Kronaizl, a spokesperson and field organizer of the organization, said. “It is a totally disrespectful and unnecessary […]
Local state candidates talk policy issues at town hall debate
Candidates running for the Clay County House and Senate seats were involved in a townhall-style debate on Tuesday. The candidates running for the Democratic House are Mike Winegar and Ray Ring. For the Republican House, Nancy Rasmussen and Debbie Pease. Lastly, for the Senate, Democrat Shane Merill and Republican Arthur Rusch are running. All of […]
Good Samaritan Bill signed by Daugaard, becomes law
After more than five years of discussion in Pierre, the Good Samaritan Bill has finally been signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard this month. House Bill 1078 grants immunity from arrest for certain alcohol-related offenses to underage persons who assist someone in need of emergency assistance or who are themselves in need of emergency assistance. “It’s for the […]
Pending bill helps combat drug overdoses, could help save lives
Recent legislation is making it easier for healthcare professionals in the state to combat drug overdoses with the use of Naloxone, an antagonist used to reverse the affects of opioid overdoses. The passage of Senate Bill 14 during the 2015 legislative session made it legal for trained first responders to possess and administer Naloxone. House Bill […]
Daugaard vetoes ‘Transgender Bathroom Bill’
Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed the so-called “Transgender Bathroom Bill” on Tuesday afternoon. The bill would have required transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their sex at birth. “House Bill 1008 does not address any pressing issue concerning the school districts of South Dakota,” Daugaard said in his letter to the House of […]
Legislators flip flop on S.D. teacher pay increase
Governor Dennis Daugaard’s plan to raise teacher pay is moving forward to the South Dakota Senate, after the bill initially failed by one vote in the House of Representatives last week. The half-cent sales tax hike passed a revote Monday 47-21, which hit the required two-thirds majority needed for tax hikes. “Thank you to the bipartisan […]
Deadline passes for SD bill introductions
It’s debate time in Pierre. The period to introduce bills in the South Dakota Legislature has closed, and Gov. Dennis Daugaard already signed his first bill in the 2016 legislative session Monday. The bill, soon-to-be law, will give a rebate of sorts to state and local government to enter into contracts that create energy efficiency […]
Legislature addresses transgender rights in K-12 schools
A rise in transgender culture has swept through pop culture and media this past year, and now there are multiple bills regarding the rights of transgender students now being evaluated by the South Dakota Legislature. House Bill 1008 would require that public schools must provide transgender students with “reasonable accommodations,” and restrooms, locker rooms and […]
Pierre tackles South Dakota teacher pay
Gov. Dennis Daugaard is leading the charge to get South Dakota out of last place when it comes to teacher pay. “This is the year to act,” Daugaard said in his State of the State address Jan. 12. A task force commissioned by Daugaard found that South Dakota’s average teacher pay was $11,888, a year […]
Board of Regents requests $4.7 million for tuition freeze
Students at the University of South Dakota paying in-state tuition may be breathing easier next year about their tuition bills. After raising tuition rates by an average of about 5.8 percent at all six South Dakota public universities for the 2015-2016 school year, the South Dakota Board of Regents is pursuing $4.7 million in funding from the state […]