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Second week of Legislative Session report
By Jason | January 20, 2012
The 2012 Legislative Session is slowly moving along, much like the effect of this colder weather on our livestock feeding equipment. Acquiring sponsors for legislation from various legislators who represent the unique areas of our great State is our main focus right now. Lobbyists, organizations, and legislators have bills that they are pushing forward and looking for cosponsors.
In addition to my bill to require large oil pipelines to post a $500 million bond, I am assisting some folks on legislation updating the voting requirements for sanitary sewer district formation.
For school staff, students, parents, and anyone else with a strong interest in the governor’s plan to drastically change the role of teachers in our education system should participate in the process. I applaud the governor for making an effort to try to strengthen education and for looking at ways to update student learning, however, he has chosen to look only at divisive strategies such as merit pay and removing continuing contract.
Matched with local funds in the education formula, the funding put forth by the governor for teacher incentives could provide a boost to education. This would allow the local school board the chance to determine how they would enhance teacher effectiveness and student learning.
In the agriculture and natural resources committee, we heard an update from the Department of Game, Fish & Parks. Fishing across our State is a hot commodity and we are fortunate to have access to this resource. We also discussed the pheasant population, including habitat and winter feeding possibilities. Last winter was hard on all animals living outside, and along with the early spring snowstorms the conditions, it was particularly tough for our pheasants. I understand access to habitat is crucial, and we are fortunate in northeast South Dakota to have a variety of habitat. At the same time, I do not think that the loss in Conservation Reserve Program acres is the only reason why our pheasant population dropped. All of us need to do our part to continue to exercise a working lands approach to assist wildlife and support pheasant populations throughout the State.
In regards to developing a watershed/basin approach to drainage, I have a list of a few essential points. I have seen Republicans and citizens across the state expressing interest in the issue and have enjoyed their input.
Watershed/Drainage Basin Regional District Model:
• Focus on local control/cover a regional drainage basin (could be within 1 county or cover multiple counties)
• Involve all parties of interest (landowners/farmers, counties, townships, wildlife people)
• Hire water management experts (engineers/hydrologists)
• Have authority to tax (on property or drainage projects)
• Approve/enforce drainage requests
• Provide drainage maintenance
• Cleanout canals/ditches (i.e. Jim River)
• Guide irrigation efforts (maintain State Water permits)
I am proud to be serving you in Pierre. Please contact me with any suggestions you may have on the issues for the legislative session.
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