President’s Report

STEVE ALLENDER

Well, the legislative session is in full swing. 105 elected legislators from around the state are convened in our state capital once again.

A common theme of the legislative session is clear, and has been for years. A staple for South Dakota lawmakers is abortion and transgender bills, occasionally gun bills, but this year is also fl ooded with marijuana bills.

According to lawmakers and lobbyists, marijuana will either kill us all, or will be the golden ticket to eternal life. Time will tell. I will wait to weigh in on recreational marijuana until it gets closer to November.

There are a couple of interesting bills, one being SB 85, an act to create funding to plan for the transmission of Missouri River water to Western South Dakota.

I should mention this bill was tabled following committee testimony, by the sponsor Helene Duhamel. This was done due to a budding and promising relationship with the Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This cooperative effort will afford us funding for engineering studies to prepare for the larger project later on. My thanks to Secretary Hunter Roberts for working with us. Stay tuned.

Another bill was SB 186, proposing Medicaid expansion. I wrote on this topic a month ago, so I will spare you details; however, what is important to note is this: Polling indicates Medicaid expansion will likely pass as a ballot measure in November. A Constitutional amendment is a less-desirable way to get this done, only because once passed, it will be infl exible.

SB 186 failed to pass the senate, but it would have done the same thing, only the state could have adjusted to changing times as needed. Your local legislators could probably use a call or a visit on this issue. Medicaid expansion is not a matter of if, but when and how it passes. The time to pay attention is now.

Being in public service gives us all something in common. We have promised - in one manner or another - to look out for the best interests of our fellow citizens and to uphold the U.S. and State Constitutions. We are all on the same side, but that doesn’t stop the difference of opinions. Cities, Counties, and the State have relatively the same goals, only they have different processes and methods of achieving them. I admit, I am guilty of an occasional snarky comment out of frustration.

I encourage you, whenever possible, to track a bill through the legislative process. Find one that may affect your community and go to Pierre and testify at committee. This is good practice and a good way to get to know your legislators. Remember, this is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

That means you and me.

Steve Allender SDML President