The South Dakota Housing Authority has existed for over 50 years. It was created by the SD Legislature to provide affordable housing to low and moderate income South Dakotans.
However, this is still a social welfare program. We need only to look at our tribal reservations to see how well socialism is working. We should not increase government welfare programs.
South Dakota was the first state to have an initiative and referendum process for enacting and rejecting legislation.
Overall, this system has worked well since 1898. If I were to change any of the process, it would be to allow more time to collect signatures. The current deadline for filing petitions is the first Tuesday in May. That allows only 8 weeks to collect over 17,000 signatures.
Our elections should always require: voter photo identification; US Citizenship; SD Citizenship; paper ballots; and follow our State Polling laws.
Hand counting paper ballots is the most reliable method to count ballots and is very possible to achieve today, as it has been in the past. However, if machine tabulators are used, a hand count audit should be conducted of tabulator results. Random precincts should be selected AFTER the machine counts are completed. Then, every race on every ballot should be hand counted for those randomly selected precincts. The hand count results are then compared to to the machine tabulator results.
I was part of a Custer County team that performed this type of hand count audit of tabulators in 2022.
South Dakota Social Services provides for Child Care Services. Low income families are provided child care while parents work or go to school. Child care facilities are also registered, licensed, and monitored to insure the safety and health of children.
However, this is still a social welfare program. We need only to look at our tribal reservations to see how well socialism is working. We should not increase government welfare programs.
The most important challenge facing our state is the complacency of citizens. Many believe that government is only here to help; that we are immune to what is happening in other states.
All that is needed for evil to succeed, is for good people to do nothing. For way too long, that is exactly what good South Dakotans have done. Where has that gotten us? Our families, children, businesses and private property are under attack from all directions. So are our rights to free speech, assembly, press, petition, religion and our right to keep and bear arms.
I encourage you to wake up to what is creeping into our State. I join with you in speaking up and showing up at local, school and county meetings that really matter to we the people.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
This issue requires community, state and federal planning. We need to adapt building codes to allow smaller homes on smaller lots. Condos with shared public spaces are half the cost of homes on similar sized lots. Younger generations want this option as do retirees looking to downsize.
Since Covid, remote workers often have more job satisfaction than pre-Covid. They don’t have the transportation expenses and there’s less need to add lanes to highways as frequently. Taxes can be used for other society needs. The current volume of unused real estate can be divested, giving businesses the opportunity to invest elsewhere, toward future needs of that community. Many buildings are now being remodeled into apartments.
Some Black Hills communiti
SD voted on a proposed Constitutional amendment in the 2022 primary (sponsored by the Koch brothers and supported by Rep. Dusty Johnson) which would have raised the threshold to 60% for passing an initiated measure that had fiscal consequences (that would curtail Medicaid expansion). It was defeated handily. I say the voters have spoken. I support the current structure for initiative and referendum efforts.
Here are the definitions for the two:
An amendment proposed by initiative requires a petition signed by qualified voters equal in number to at least 10% of the total votes cast for governor.
- A referendum is a direct vote by citizens on a proposal, law, or political issue.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act prohibits states from infringing on citizens right to vote. Citizens must be able to safely vote for people to represent them. Leaders have a duty to listen to their constituents, not big business, or past leaders. Gerrymandering must be done fairly so everyones vote counts fairly.
Poll workers must be assured safety to oversee this most important election.
Early learning is a strong predictor of adult health and wellbeing. Our elected state officials need to be open minded and thoroughly study this issue to do what’s best for kids and families and the future of our state. Thousands of parents are staying out of the workforce because good childcare is expensive.
Child care is not just about education - it’s also about economics. Quality child care allows parents and caregivers to trust that children are in a good place. People want the opportunity to work and better provide for their families.
If the goal for quality childcare costs were around 7% of family income, parents could comfortably work and better care for their families. Taxes are needed for public services. I like fire department
1. FREEDOM for women to attend to complex and painful health issues privately. All people have a right to mental and physical wellbeing.
2. Replacing politicians restricting freedoms.
3. Growth doesn't have to lead to sprawl and endlessly increasing taxes adding road lanes.
4. Academic freedom for teachers to teach. These people have the training to help kids grow.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
