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First week of Session in the 2010 South Dakota House of Representatives
By Jason | January 14, 2010
Hello from your State Capitol in Pierre. Balmy weather in Pierre and across the State is a very nice welcome to the start of our 2010 Legislative Session.
Governor Rounds’ State of the State address kicked off our joint session with the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Governor utilized this time to review the accomplishments and changes that have taken place in our State during the past seven years. I enjoyed how the Governor emphasized the importance of agriculture in sustaining our economy in South Dakota. However, the agriculture industry still faces many challenges with the lower livestock prices, high input costs, and problems that arise with the late harvest of our crops. I am a little disappointed that the Governor did not use time during his address to highlight legislation that his office is proposing this Legislative Session
Sisseton native and Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, David Gilbertson, delivered his State of the Judiciary to the Legislature. He gave is address by answering a series of questions that he had received over the past year about our court system. The Chief Justice also introduced us to the new Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Glen Severson.
Legislation I am currently working on to be introduced this session include changing the Opportunity Scholarship requirements to allow credit for Career and Technical Education; create an anemometer tower registry, and repeal contractors excise tax breaks for oil pipelines.
Currently the Opportunity Scholarship program is operated by the Board of Regents and was formerly known as the Regents Scholar program. The Opportunity Scholarship is granted to students who meet rigorous academic requirements and attend any postsecondary institution in the state. However, some students are denied this scholarship if they do not take enough credits in world languages. I feel that as an alternative to world language classes, our students who take Career and Technical Education courses should be able to receive this scholarship.
Many of you probably know where the aluminum pipe towers with anemometers that measure the speed and direction of wind currents are located throughout the District. Almost all of these towers are lower than the Federal Aviation requirements to be equipped with lights but pilots, especially those who fly crop dusters, have expressed concerns that these towers are hard to see and could be a possible safety hazard. Landowners and community members will be informed about who may be placing wind metering devices in their area if they would choose to look at the Public Utilities Commission website after this legislation is approved.
The financial condition of our State is obviously the main topic in this Legislative Session. I feel that we should not be giving the contractors excise tax refund to companies who put an oil or gas pipeline through our State. If anyone were to have a construction project performed on their land or in their home, they are required to pay the contractors excise tax. Therefore, I feel it is only fair that pipeline companies pay their fair share and assist our State Treasury.
This Fall/Winter I have been participating in a Canada Goose Management Working Group with the Department of Game, Fish & Parks. These meetings have opened up my view of wildlife issues. As a landowner and sportsman myself, I feel it is important for all of us to find a solution to the issue of our overpopulation of resident Giant Canada Geese. Obviously increase the bag limit, extending the hunting season, and allow sub permitting to landowners to remove “problem” geese will help to reduce the number of Canada Geese. However we also need to make every effort to join landowners and sportsmen together and increase hunting opportunities and early control of geese.
I enjoy serving all of you in the “People’s House” and I hope that I am able to do my best to represent the pulse of Northeastern South Dakota and also be able to look at a particular issue and make a decision.
Please come and visit us during the Legislative Session and see our government in action. Feel free to contact me with your thoughts and concerns at (605) 949-2204 or rep.frerichs@state.sd.us.
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