Hill City Prevailer

Need closure on Ravnsborg situation

Published by admin on Thu, 02/24/2022 - 9:23am

Greetings! We are in week seven, legislative days 26-29. After this week we have two weeks left, legislative days 30-37.
Our last day (37) is March 10 with Veto Day on March 28. We are going extremely hard processing 551 bills for this session.  
We have what we call Crossover Day, Wednesday, Feb. 23. This is the last day for us to hear House bills.  It’s been known to cover the clock in the House chamber once it gets close to midnight, so we accomplish all bills, passed or failed, by the end of Crossover Day.

More great news for campground owners

Published by admin on Thu, 02/24/2022 - 9:23am

More great news for SD Campground Owners Association (SDCOA) again this last week. SB 179 was a bill brought to amend what is in place now that protects locally owned campgrounds. This year, seeing bills that compete with the private sector was an eye opener for many as this should not be the role of the state.

Trouble can come at the touch of a screen

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 2:50pm
This week I read a quote from Dall Wilson, who is working on a Symphonic Film project in South Dakota. Before moving to Sioux Falls from out of state, he reviewed the constitutions of various states and he liked ours. He said, “Competent constitutions prevent troubles, keep living costs low and protect citizens’ pursuit of happiness.”

Regarding Convention of States

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:18am

Greetings! We have five weeks down, four more to go. We have 339 House bills introduced and 212 Senate bills for a total of 551 bills this session.

Not settling for the status quo

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:18am

This past weekend I attended two crackerbarrels—one in Hill City and the second one in Custer. I want to thank all of you who took the time to come out on a Saturday and meet with us. We had great questions and lively conversations. I truly appreciate meeting with you and discussing your concerns and listening to your opinions. It is an honor to carry that back to Pierre with me, in order to represent you the best I possibly can.

Successes and challenges mark session

Published by admin on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 9:17am

This was a busy weekend as we had three crackerbarrels on Saturday.  Thanks to those of you who attended and I appreciated the good conversations and questions.  
As we reach the midway point in session we have both some successes and some challenges to talk about.   
Successes: Thanks to hundreds of you, the Custer State Park campground expansion issue has been defeated. I often speak about complacency and when the people aren’t watching unfavorable things can happen. This time our activism paid off. Congratulations!

Freedom of the Hills

Published by admin on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 9:56am
I recently took a quick trip back home to see my mom and family. It was quite odd leaving the state. I hadn’t done so since I went to see my dying friend Missy. This was a trip to celebrate the marriage of my niece so my mind was a little bit more clear as I was traveling. And wow what an experience the world outside of South Dakota is. 

New campground stopped in its tracks

Published by admin on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 9:26am

Greetings! Hopefully this is the last I’ll be writing about HB 1048, campsites in Custer State Park (CSP).  

We’re halfway through the session

Published by admin on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 9:26am

It is hard to believe that this week we hit the half way mark for the 2022 Legislative Session. This year we have over 500 bills  the committees will be reviewing and voting on. If they make it through committee, it is then presented to the House body for a vote. I am currently serving on the House Commerce & Energy and the Ag and Natural Resources Committees. This past week in the Ag and Natural Resources Committee we heard testimony regarding HB 1181-A, a bill to prohibit the use of cyanide for the purpose of mining for uranium. This is a serious subject in District 30.

Our voices were heard on campgrounds

Published by admin on Thu, 02/10/2022 - 9:25am

Our voices were heard!  
Again, big thanks to all of you who were proactive on stopping the campground in Custer State Park.  We were united in putting forth a successful effort to keep this wonderful wildlife park the gem that it is.