Hill City Prevailer

Clearing up some RX cannabis issues

Published by admin on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 9:09am

Greetings! I thought I’d get through medicinal marijuana in one article, but I guess not. Just a quick alibi please! From last week’s article regarding medical marijuana, a correction:  Doctors, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants do not give patients their medical marijuana card.  This is done through the state, more specifically, the Department of Health (DOH).
This is pretty bureaucratic so let me try to explain the hoops you go through to get a card:

Working on the property tax situation

Published by admin on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 9:08am

If your most recent property tax assessment caught you by surprise, you are not alone! The issue of our property taxes increasing is the “elephant in the room” that no one has wanted to talk about. It has only gotten more pronounced with the invitation to move to South Dakota, the best place in the world.
Although true, I remember when we used to say, South Dakota, the best kept secret of the world...well I guess the word is out and now we have to deal with the consequences. For many of us, that has equated to a dramatic increase in property values and taxes.  

Property taxes are out of control

Published by admin on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 9:07am

Property taxes are out of control and we need to allocate the excess revenue we have taken in and give that back to the taxpayers in property tax relief. We also need to retroactively implement lowering assessment values going back a few years.

Nothing left to do but Veto Day

Published by admin on Thu, 03/17/2022 - 9:06am

Whew! The 97th Legislative Session is over.  All we have left to do is go back on Monday, March 28 tor Veto Day. If there are any vetoes by Gov. Noem, we have the option to overturn them at that time. That would take a two-thirds vote in each chamber to override a gubernatorial veto. We also are probably going to have to go back to finish with the impeachment proceedings for attorney general Jason Ravnsborg. I’ll write more on that in a later article.

Recapping this year’s legislative session

Published by admin on Thu, 03/17/2022 - 9:05am

It has been a privilege serving the citizens of our state for the last six years.  Every year I meet some wonderful people who are out getting involved and being more active in our state government. The South Dakota Campground Owners Association and the people from all over our state that helped stop the Custer State Park campground expansion was a great example of how your voice can matter.  

Thoughts on campgrounds, gun range

Published by admin on Thu, 03/17/2022 - 9:05am

We have almost put the 97th session of the legislative session to bed so to speak. On March 28 we will head back to Pierre for “Veto Day,” where we will be presented with the bills that the governor has vetoed and we will have the opportunity as a legislature to veto her decision. For a veto to succeed, it needs a two-thirds vote from all members of the legislature.

Sharing passions, gaining confidence

Published by admin on Thu, 03/17/2022 - 9:04am
A passion is an interest or hobby that we love to do. It is something special to us, but perhaps that’s why a lot of people are scared to share their passions. Our abilities may pale in comparison or not be appreciated in the same way. Perhaps our passions will even be criticized. After that, they may not seem special anymore.

Some developments with the VA

Published by admin on Thu, 03/10/2022 - 10:39am

Greetings! We are in our last week of session with our last day being Thursday, March 10. Next week I will start writing about what happened during the 97th Legislative Session.
On Friday, March 4, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, sent Robert McDivitt and Lisa Curnes to announce possible changes to veterans’ health care in the Black Hills. McDivitt is the Vision 23 network director and Curnes is the medical director at Veterans Administration Black Hills.  

Watching what’s unfolding in Ukraine

Published by admin on Thu, 03/10/2022 - 10:38am

For the past two weeks we have watched and listened to horrific events as they unfold in the Ukraine. The most disturbing to me is the lack of support from the United Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the United States.
The UN was founded in 1945 after WWII by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

A million dollar shoebox

Published by admin on Thu, 03/10/2022 - 9:58am
We need relief. It’s not just the seniors who are struggling. It’s the everyday average household taxpayer who is feeling the effects of rising property values. 
Like many of you I just got my 2022 assessment. And to put it bluntly I’m kind of shocked. My tiny little shoe box, which has less than 900 square-feet, is a quarter of a million dollar house! This might sound like I have a windfall. I don’t quite see it that way. It’s more like a nightmare.