Description: The South Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of South Dakota. It is a bicameral legislative body, consisting of the Senate which has 35 members, and the House of Representatives, which has 70 members. The two houses are similar in most respects; the Senate alone holds the right to confirm gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. The Legislature meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. It begins its annual session of the second Tuesday of January each year. The legislative session lasts 40 working days in odd-numbered years, and 35 days working days in even numbered years.Term: 4 consecutive 2 year termsSalary: $16,348/year + $178/day for legislators who reside more than 50 miles away from the capitolRequirements for Office: 21 years old; 2 years residency; qualified voter; may not have been convicted of bribery, perjury or other infamous crime; may not have illegally taken "public moneys".Petition Requirements: Depends on party and legislative district. See SD Secretary of State's website for details.
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Most of these types of programs are set at the Federal level and if we would want them expanded we as a State we would need to find the long-term funding to do so.
I would encourage and have voted for higher public school teacher wages. I do support private and homeschool education as they currently stand.
I was pleased to see the support for the school lunch program this year. It’s hard to learn when you are hungry.
I think many people would be encouraged to see more of a focus on math, reading and writing/communication skills along with higher test scores in these areas.
I can see two sides to this question. We are a Republic, which means we vote for representation. So why are some not happy with decisions made at the local level? The voters elected these officials.
We are happy until we are not. Then the referendum process begins. I actually think we are starting to abuse the process. Just take a look back and note how many items we are voting for or against on our ballots.
I also believe most of these time the informed and highest level of voting is happening by those representing us. Which is what we elect them to do.
It is absolutely the voters right to initiate the process.
South Dakota has one of the safest elections in the United States. We also need to ensure that our disable voters are not excluded at the ballot box.
To date, no one has convinced me that hand counting is safer, more accurate or faster than running tabulating machines. I thinks it’s wise to hand count a test sample for accuracy sake.
Seeing bigger businesses run daycares in house or co-opting with another entity for daycares shows the value those businesses place on their workers.
I would encourage SD to provide daycare programs for their State employees as a benefit.
I would need to work with the Dept of Revenue and the Gov. Office of Economic Development to find a funding source. I do not have one to date.
It’s more of an issue now than it was even 20 years ago because people need two incomes or even three to make ends meet. If we focus on bringing in higher paying jobs it might relieve some of the stress.
Prison reforms. If we don’t start addressing the reasons people go to prison then we need to address the issues while they are inside. The last legislative session voted for the new men’s prison, but failed to provide monies towards recovery and addiction.
I love Rapid City and I love South Dakota. We really live in a wonderful state, with wonderful people and it’s such an honor to serve that it leaves one humble.
