REPORTER NOTES: Democratic Press Conference
Please note: These are not all direct quotes, but a paraphrased version of the press conference.
Democratic Press Conference:
– Senator Billy Sutton – Senate Asst. Minority Leader
– Representative Julie Bartling – House Asst. Minority Leader
– Senator Jason Frerichs – Senate Minority Leader
– Representative Bernie Hunhoff – House Minority Leader
Hunoff-
– Long term stuff, planting trees
Long term struggle
It’s about doing things now that will help us 10 or 15 years down the road.
Bartling-
Education is the foundation of a strong workforce. It starts with our k-12 program.
44 percent of the public schools are in opt outs at this moment.
Tax payers are carrying a heavy burden educating our children.
We have proposals that will try to increase that student allocation.
We hope to have a very good, honest discussion about where we are with education.
We have the highest tuition rate – out of our 7 state region
There is a huge inequity for those who want to further their education.
We have a lot of things in our dreams and our goals for South Dakota…
Sutton-
We view Medicaid expansion as one of the most important…
We worked really hard to find out, who are the people we are talking about.
What I found fascinating is that a majority of these people are working one job, if not two.
– majority of the people, are not making very much money making it difficult to afford
The issue at hand is equity and fairness.
If we do not expand Medicaid, … the poorest of the poor … do not have access to any coverage.
It’s an issue that should be addressed for whats best for SD.
It would allow the people working to reduce the number of sick days they are taking at work.
It had a vast improvement of health.
– talked about his accident, if he hadn’t had the opportunity to be under his parent’s insurance he wouldn’t be where he is now
Frerichs-
One of the areas we focused on was the Opportunity Scholarship.
In todays day and age, tech schools along with four year schools.. either way is a ticket to success.
It’s important at all levels…
We only hope that we can look for further needs beyond the high need areas
– We’ll look for many more ways to amp up the tech education.
It looks as though the protocals that need to be changed…?
We will engage and work with our friends on the other side of the isle.
Hunhoff:
trying to target specific industries where we are in special need
fund the needbase scholarship program
– An increase in general aid to general schools and tech schools… be the best way
Frerichs-
Not in defense of either party, the doors are pretty well open.
We will continue for ways to enhance openness
Hunhoff-
If you don’t have a stop sign, then no one runs a stop sign.
– Checks and balances
