Director's Notes During District Meetings, our annual wrap-up of the Legislative Session, we talked a lot about the importance of the primaries. Well, they are here, and it is time to sit up and pay attention! Key races are at stake on June 7 – just days from when you receive this magazine. If you have seen those neon bright postcards in your district, know that they are mostly misleading, if not outright lies. They are no indicator of whether or not you should vote for a candidate. Throw them in the garbage, where they belong, and find out for yourself where candidates stand. For those who are running for reelection, what did they SUPPORT? What did they try to do? What are their ideas for what needs to be done? There are more and more people who seem to think Congress and Washington DC are a good model – We absolutely do not need more people who only want to stop things – they are of no use to anyone. For all candidates, what are the issues they see facing South Dakota? What are their proposals for addressing those problems? When they list issues, think to yourself, is this REALLY something I’ve run into, something that matters? Is the solution ACTUALLY a solution, or just a catchy
phrase? For example, “no taxes” is not a solution, or a reasoned position, it is something people say because they think everyone agrees. It solves nothing, it addresses no issue other than the election desires of the person saying it. Candidates who only talk about bloated government, overtaxation, and corruption – ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU. These people will not be your friends if they are elected – they are of no use to anyone. I’m not alone in being near despair over the state of the legislature, and the future of the legislature. Those of us who have watched this closely over the years have seen a steep decline in the quality of the legislature and the process. A much larger group of citizens needs to get that kind of concern. We have a citizen legislature in South Dakota – which is a great thing – but with term limits, we get rid of people whether they are good or not. In a state of only 850,000, it is very difficult to find people who are able to serve – A citizen legislature with probably 95% of the population unable to serve isn’t working. Unless you are independently wealthy, self-employed and able to get away, retired, or have an employer who will let you go for 2-1/2 months a year, you cannot be a legislator. You folks who spend tremendous amounts of time making your communities thrive are true public servants – and you deserve much better from the legislature. Please study up on your local legislative candidates, and make a wise choice on June 7! Until next month, remember we are always available at 1-800-658-3633 or yvonne@sdmunicipalleague.org. Yvonne Taylor Executive Director
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SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
