Still working on property tax relief

Greetings. Man, am I pumped up. Just finished watching the Olympic gold medal round, U.S. vs Canada. Last time the U.S. won was at Lake Placid, N.Y., way back in 1980. I can remember purchasing a color TV just to watch that hockey match. Yep, a 46 year drought. So, what happened? The United States won 2-1 in overtime!!
Once the overtime period started, the match went to three players each on the ice and of course a goalie. Jack Hughes hit the winning goal 46 seconds into overtime. I’m sure we will see pictures of him indefinitely. Man, does he look like a hockey player with two front teeth missing to boot.
So, what’s happening in the 101st legislative session? We have only three weeks left. Each of the remaining weeks are four days each, Monday through Thursday. The holy grail of this session is property tax reform, at least it is with us District 30 representatives. Sen. Hulse has been an absolute rock star getting SB208 through committee and a unanimous floor vote 34-0. We only have 34 senators as Sen. Arch Beal has been out after suffering a stroke.
In the House we have one short with Jeff Bathke being deployed overseas (can’t say where). He serves as a brigade command Sergeant Major and his deployment will cover our entire session. So there are 34 senators and 69 House members.
This week is what we call crossover week when all House bills have to be heard by close of business Tuesday. We customarily wear black that day recognizing all the bills that are passed or killed. We started hearing some Senate bills this last week and it seems like we are staying ahead of schedule.
Rep. Mike Derby of Rapid City is House Appropriations Chair, as he was last year, and doing an above and beyond job steering the appropriations jungle. The Senate Appropriations Committee Chair is Sen. Ernie Otten from the Sioux Falls area. He is equally as impressive. Rep. Derby, myself and Rep. Ladner served with Sen. Otten when he was in the House.
In closing I need to relay that I had a bad car accident heading to Pierre Feb. 9. It happened approximately 6 miles east of Philip on Hwy. 14. Our Toyota 4-Runner was totaled. I am totally blessed (not lucky) as all 10 airbags deployed. 
When a airbags deploy, they’re shot out with a gunpowder charge, so it smells like fire. I’m sure I own the world’s record for getting my seatbelt unlocked and exiting the vehicle. All I could think about was getting out as quickly as possible in case the vehicle was on fire. Turned out it wasn’t. I suffered three cracked vertebrae in my lower lumbar of my back and a concussion.
The Philip hospital was amazing, as was the clinic in Hill City. So, when you’re watching session, I’ll be in a back brace under my sports jacket. It actually feels good.
I want to thank all those who prayed for me as well as the hundreds of emails and texts. The support I’ve received from everyone in prayer has been spectacular and I believe the good Lord isn’t done with me yet. Again, I am truly blessed.