First part of the Germany renewable energy tour
By Jason | August 23, 2011
“Find a niche market to fill a gap and just act!” This is the model followed by the Krinner company located near StraBkirchen, Bavaria. Christmas tree stands that easily keep the tree straight have saved many marriages are the staple for a business that has now expanded worldwide and offers its products in 55 countries. The Krinner family homesteaded their farm in this region in 1579.
We had the opportunity to tour a 375 acre solar farm that is located on land owned by the Krinner family. They manufacture a four-foot, zinc-coated steel ground screw that holds the solar panels upright and withstand the snow and wind loads. This large solar farm has a capacity of 50 megawatts and is a unique business model where the manufacturer of the solar panels financed the project. This investment of 150 million Euro was guaranteed by a 20 year power agreement for the electricity produced by their feed-in tariff. Community support/investment was incorporated in this project as the local town people own 4 megawatts of the solar panel park.
This is an impressive sight to see all of the solar panels evenly spaced with a 30 degree angle and facing the south. This project was built in 2009 and proper engineer ensures that the snow falls off the panels easily and the rain successfully cleans the solar panel. Grass was seeded below the panels before their placement. Previously the land had produced sugar beets, onions, or maize/corn.
This business model is very impressive, however it was a matter of making things happen at the right time. Currently German Energy policy does not allow them to use “working” agriculture lands to qualify for a renewable energy feed-in tariff. This feed-in tariff is a fairly high price paid for the electricity in the early years and over the course of the 20 year agreement the price is reduced. Consumers also have to pay a higher price for their electricity in an effort to help finance the project.
When I think about the possibility of a project like this being able to materialize in South Dakota I know that it would be pretty difficult. The price of solar panels continues to decrease, but we still need to develop the technology to properly store the electricity to provide a nice base-load source of power. Consistent power and a consistent price would be a nice match; and perhaps offset the low price of electricity that we are fortunate to enjoy.
Visiting the Straubing center of Excellence for Renewable Resources reminded me of visiting a facility similar to the Washington Pavillion in Sioux Falls; although this facility is solely focused on agriculture renewable energy. We had the chance to view various feedstocks for 2nd generation biofuels along with the typical bio-fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Their biodiesel is made using rapeseed or canola oil which is comparable to the soybean oil we have in South Dakota. Wood chip biomass was a highlight because they offered various examples on how to produce the chips from trees that have little value.
When we think about 2nd generation biofuels and producing that biomass; plants that are a perennial prove to have many rewards. For example miscanthus would continue to grow each year, and would not require the plant to be seeded each spring. Some places in South Dakota have experienced very wet spring seasons, and the ability to secure a market to produce biofuel from miscanthus could be a helpful type of plant. However the amount of volume required to handle based on the energy content of miscanthus is an issue; as we know many researchers are looking for ways to breakdown the product early in the process. Transporting large amounts of a 2nd generation biofuels product is a huge issue, which could be overcome with the proper enzyme and pelleting process that could be initiated in the field or on local farms.
Gaubodenvolksfest in Straubing, Bavaria was an enjoyable close to the day to fully experience the German culture. This folk festival is the 2nd largest event following the Oktoberfest. The music and atmosphere reminded me of the State Fair, but various people were sporting the proper “folk” attire. Our entire delegation took part in the festivities and felt at home hearing the live band play “Sweet Caroline”. A song we all gladly joined in singing the words!
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Renewable Energy tour to Germany and Austria
By Jason | August 23, 2011
This week I am participating in a renewable energy tour through Germany and Austria with a diverse delegation of farmers, energy providers, and policy-makers from South Dakota, Colorado, DC, Sweden, and Germany. Our in-depth look at all types of renewable energy is funded by the World Future Council, Ecologic Institute, and the German Foreign Ministry. Ancestors on my father’s side of our family came from Germany, and obviously my last name is heavily German.
One of my goals for this trip is to soak up as much information on how the German’s have been able to make renewable energy work for them; especially with operations both small and large. I also attend this experience with the background knowledge that South Dakota and Germany have different political and economic systems. The feed-in tariff is the backbone for many of their renewable energy projects. This method would be difficult to implement in South Dakota; but some form of this way to pay for these more expensive technology projects may be feasible in other parts of the United States. I also want to look beyond the feed in tariff to see what we can match in South Dakota to encourage private investment, spur ingenuity among local entrepreneurs, and provide for a sustainable energy future. We will also have the chance to see what hasn’t worked for the Germans as they experiment.
Here is a link to the SD Famers Union Rural Lobbyist posts by Chris Studer:
Tour Continues with Solar Park and Biogas operations
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Guest Editorial in The Watertown Public Opinion: Local government’s needs
By Jason | March 25, 2011
This past Legislative session a number of “shifts” happened as the legislature dealt with the extremist budget offered by the governor. The budget will cost us about $30 million in lost federal Medicaid monies. It will cause big tuition and fee increases for college and tech school students, and it will increase property taxes for most South Dakotans. Government wasn’t cut, but the expenses were shifted to local taxpayers’ pockets. In Watertown at the Redlin Center flood meeting, Governor Daugaard was asked what assistance the State will provide to local governments due to flooding. The Governor responded that the counties will receive assistance from the recently approved legislation that increases the vehicle registration fees. The Legislature had to provide this relief to local governments without the help of the Governor, who actually vetoed the bi-partisan legislation. As a Legislature we took the “statesman” route, recognizing the need to support safer roads and bridges. When the Governor finished his response to the question about what type of “skin in the game” the State will have for flooding match money; he said that he would most likely propose about a 10% share of the costs as was previously done by the Rounds Administration. We must hold the governor accountable. Local governments need to know how much of the “tab” they will be expected to cover when repairing flooded damaged roads. Speaking of the Rounds Administration, the costs incurred from last year’s (2010) disasters throughout the State were rolled into the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. When the bill was debated on the floor of the State Senate, I asked an appropriations committee member why these expenses were not included with the annual “backfill” of the FY 2011 budget. He replied that this will allow the use of one-time funds to cover the disaster costs. Those one-time funds he referred to are likely the Federal Stimulus funds intended to enhance education. We’re robbing Peter to pay Paul in South Dakota. We have to keep in mind that stimulus revenue will not likely be available this summer, so we need to know if the State will be willing to do its part to assist local governments with infrastructure repair due to flooding. After a long winter of snow removal the highway funds are exhausted. Our roads and bridges will still need to be addressed. Creativity will be needed. One example is from a township in southern Roberts County that utilized various tools and saved the local taxpayers, the State, and FEMA over half the cost of what they projected. Governor Daugaard talks about self-reliance; here was a prime example of last year where a township utilized their ingenuity through their actions. South Dakota needs to be a true partner in meeting local government’s needs in the future.
—State Sen. Jason Frerichs (D-Wilmot) is a farmer/teacher
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Weekly Legislative update from Pierre
By Jason | March 10, 2011
The legislature has come to the final week. Ever since Governor Daugaard announced his plan to cut all state spending by 10%, people throughout South Dakota have spoken up largely through cracker barrels. Throughout the entire state people have been consistently angry and frustrated with the Governor’s plans to cut education and Medicaid and Legislators finally listened. In a call for smaller cuts, ways have been found to alter the proposed budget cuts to those most adversely effected: education and Medicaid.
Education funding for K12 received about another $12 million, which is due to the increased revenues from our economy. This additional funding, along with freezing local property taxes will result in about a 6-7% cut in per student education funding. Medicaid cut equals out to about 6%, with the infusion of $12 million of unused funds. Local nursing homes should emerge with less than a 4% cut in Medicaid funding. The funding for County Veterans Service officers was still cut. A comment was made by the Appropriations Chairman that this is an effort to have the counties help out the State with our budget problems. I completely disagree with this statement and feel this is a misguided cut. Our county veterans’ service officers assist veterans in acquiring services and assistance which brings more funding into our communities.
By spreading out the pain of these cuts and not hitting education and Medicaid this year, we may have spared some nursing homes from closing, along with school districts that may have eliminated elective coursework. However, we are only looking at this next year and nursing homes will still need to fundraise locally, and school districts will be forced to increase the class sizes of students for each teacher. As a result of Governor Daugaard’s pass the buck budget, local property taxes may ultimately be increased in order to completely cover the loss in State support for K12 education. Purely passing the buck by the Governor’s office from the state to local taxpayers is not fair and should not be the solution to solving the budget deficit.
Throughout the next few years and into the distant future, South Dakotans need to be honest with ourselves. In the past five years and more, the State has lost revenue from the elimination of the inheritance tax and revenues from the video lottery and bank franchise taxes have recently dropped. These decreases in revenue, coupled with the recession, created most of the problem with our State Budget. An honest conversation needs to be had of how to sufficiently fund the necessary programs throughout the state especially if the revenues do not increase.
When we examine the Thursday morning testimony in the Joint Appropriations committee, we can see those who were the few to amend the General Budget Bill: the Governor’s staff and the Republican leadership of the Appropriations committee. Did you know that you have to be in one of those elite groups in order to impact the spending of our State General Funds? Unfortunately, frivolous amendments brought forth to eliminate the Cooperative Extension Service, Public Broadcasting, and the State Fair were given a luxury of time to discuss the advantages/disadvantages. Luckily those amendments were easily defeated, but it is still surprising how much merit they were even given. Yet amendments to assist Medicaid providers and education were quickly brought up and shot down by the joint appropriations committee.
Our Republican friends in the Legislature and the Governor’s staff have found multiple band-aid solutions to get us through this year. They made every effort to insure that any variation from the Governor’s 10% across the board cut would be treated as one-time funds and to not expect the dollars to be there next year. So where has the Governor’s leadership been through the process? He has stood solid in his initial request to supposedly erase our structural deficit and reset the State Budget. This is well-intended but misguided and many Legislators have altered the Governor’s plan, and we will expect him to bring real solutions to the table next year and work with us.
As our work in Pierre comes to an end and Spring finally arrives I am reminded that the potential for flooding is imminent throughout northeast South Dakota, and I hope each of us will do our part to be as prepared as possible. I know the Governor and his staff will be traveling the State in flooding awareness meetings. We can easily look at the tunnels of snow along our township roads as a testament to the severity of flooding. The snowpack in our corner of the State contains very high amounts of water. Please be creative in finding ways to manage the water if at all possible. Last year one township in Roberts County found a way to drain a slough and prevent further damage to a road once the road was rebuilt. I realize not everyone has the ability to simply drain water, but this township followed all of the rules and saved the various levels of government money as well.
I always enjoy hearing about issues that are important to you and I enjoy serving in the State Senate.
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Weekly Legislative report from Pierre
By Jason | March 3, 2011
South Dakotans who call themselves conservative, moderate, progressive, or liberal are turning up the heat and demand an alternative to the proposed 10% cuts in funding for education and medicaid. The situation is realistic and hits close to home for all of us. Nursing homes could close, or force layoffs; schools may eliminate opportunities for students to acquire career skills; and mental health providers might create waiting lists that are too late to help our friends. This Legislative Session is unique in a number of ways not only on the general makeup of the legislators and our backgrounds, but also the increased involvement of rank and file citizens.
The Stand up for Education Day on March 2nd was definitely a success and I enjoyed the opportunity to see folks from Langford, Summit and Milbank who made trek to Pierre. Parents, students, and school officials made their presence known and told legislators and the Governor that 10% cuts to education will not be sustainable.
Students for higher education made a very eloquent appearance in the Capitol on March 1st. They provided their thoughts on cuts to the university system, and rejected the notion that college students make up the difference with increased tuition. I enjoyed the dialogue with these students and welcome their involvement in the budget process. South Dakota is one of the only state’s without a publicly supported needs-based scholarship program. Effort to shift more of the burden to the cost of tuition will demonstrate the importance of a needs-based scholarship program. University President’s have stated that even if South Dakota would have a small amount of matching funds for needs-based scholarships that they could target fundraising efforts for this program.
Last week in the Senate State Affairs committee we had testimony on a piece of legislation from the rural electric cooperatives. This bill would have exempted any possible gross receipts tax if they are ever forced to pay a federal carbon tax. I think the intent of the bill was in the right direction to prevent a possible tax on a tax. However through our committee discussion we also were reminded that it may be difficult to implement this legislation. There were also a number of questions on what would qualify as a “carbon tax”. The bill failed in committee, but it certainly had plenty of discussion and was not taken lightly. I appreciate the rural electric cooperatives for being forward thinking on this issue. At the same time we need to have sound tax policy so that the intent of a law is protected.
Also in our State Affairs committee an amendment was approved to re-write HB 1141 in an effort to allow for a special initiative election this November. I think this proposal deserves some discussion and it will be looked at further on the floor of the State Senate. This would allow the people of South Dakota to form coalitions and put a measure or multiple ideas in front of the voters for their consideration. The Milbank community delivered a stack of petitions where the people who signed were in support of a sales tax increase. This is one example where the public is not willing to accept a 10% reduction in state aid funding of education along with an increase in local property taxes. The Summit community sent out 300 straw ballots and received over 100 back and 90% of the people supported a sales tax increase. The people of South Dakota are speaking and exercising their time and energy to fight for education/medicaid funding.
The State Senate just finished debate on HB 1230 which is a bill to divert 22% of the contractors excise taxes paid into a “special fund” for large project development. While this proposal is well-intended the contractors excise tax is paid by all of us when we have some construction performed. These tax dollars are deposited in the general fund which is the primary source of funding for education and medicaid. Economic development is important, but this style of corporate subsidies could directly affect the education of our youth. Let’s see real economic development in our communities where we create a strong support system of infrastructure, workers, research, and solid industries which will foster further economic growth.
Governor Daugaard has been very gracious to work with and very willing to have an honest discussion about the issues for our State. When he presented his budget proposal earlier this session he said that his proposal is “a plan” not “the plan”. Unfortunately, we have not witnessed the Governor entertain ideas of utilizing a portion of our reserves, accelerate some of the earnings from our trust funds, and spread the cuts out over a series of three years.
House Bill 1192 which will increase the license and registration fees for our motor vehicles was approved by the full Legislature and will most likely be vetoed by the Governor. As a Legislature we will have a chance to override the Governor’s veto. This bill will send funding directly to counties, townships, and cities for much needed assistance on roads and bridges. I supported this bill and witness first-hand the need for more local road funding.
We will not stop fighting against the reckless cuts to education and medicaid until session is adjourned and we have exhausted any possible avenues. Share your thoughts with Legislators and the Governor especially when you have personal stories of what the cuts might look like in our communities.
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Tri-State Livestock News article by Amanda Radke
By Jason | March 1, 2011
Recently I had the privilege to visit with Amanda Radke, who is a writer for the Tri-State Livestock News and she wrote an article from our discussion. You can view the entire article via this link: http://tinyurl.com/4vuyn3o
Here are a few exerpts from the article as we discussed possible State budget cuts and how they affect agriculture education:
“The worst case scenario is that agriculture education would certainly change,” affirmed Frerichs. “Teachers would be shared among school districts, which would put a teacher on the road instead of having them in the classroom or the shop. Or, another teacher, not qualified to instruct on agriculture, would be assigned to teach these courses. Reduced travel and competition opportunities would prohibit students from attending FFA conventions. 4-H would become a more volunteer-run program.”
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Video Interview with School Administrators Association
By Jason | February 28, 2011
Here is an interview with John Pedersen from the South Dakota School Administrators Association:
<iframe src=”http://player.vimeo.com/video/20480925” width=”400″ height=”225″ frameborder=”0″></iframe><p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/20480925″>”10 Minutes with John” Sen Minority Leader Jason Frerichs</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/sasd”>School Administrators of SD</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
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Weekly Legislative Update
By Jason | February 24, 2011
Open discussion and exploring all ideas to fund education took a narrow focus on February 22nd in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Senator Adelstein from Rapid City had his bill up for discussion which would have increased the State sales tax 1% for the summer months (June, July, and August). I provided an amendment which would have prevented this increase on food purchases. Senator Adelstein seconded my motion for discussion purposes, but in the end the committee didn’t support my amendment, citing that the issue is too complicated. My reason for the amendment was to limit the impact on our less-fortunate South Dakotans who must purchase food during all times of the year. The Adelstein bill was an effort to target the tourist season and encourage our friends who travel to South Dakota to assist in providing funds to our State Treasury. I voted for the bill in an effort to achieve further debate on the Senate floor, but it did not receive enough support from the full committee and was defeated. Unfortunately, the discussion face-value for a possible temporary sales tax increase for the summer months will not be heard in full debate on the floor of the State Senate. I am not crazy about supporting a sales tax increase; however, I feel the issue is important enough that all of us elected to the Senate should take the issue up for discussion. We know our schools and nursing homes face unbearable challenges to operate their facility in the future with a possible 10% cut.
On the topic of food tax; I am glad to see the leadership of the appropriations committee has found a way to salvage the food tax rebate program. This program was under attack by the Daugaard Administration to possibly be eliminated based on the cost to run the program. This issue was explored further and it sounds as though they have found ways to make the program more efficient and maintain its existence.
I had a chance to go back and visit the House Agriculture committee to promote SB 106 which is the legislation I am carrying to require nonresident reciprocity for a furbearer license to trap. This is a fairness issue most specifically with Minnesota. Currently, Minnesota residents can come into South Dakota and trap, however South Dakotans are not allowed to trap in Minnesota. This bill simply says that any residents from out of state must come from a state that allows South Dakotans to come in and trap. The bill has not received opposition and should be on its way to the Governor’s desk.
I applaud the efforts of the House Appropriations committee as well as many education groups who successfully defeated HB 1250. House Bill 1250 would have repealed the inclusion of career and technical education coursework in the requirements of the Opportunity Scholarship was tabled. This bill was a direct repeal of the work I spear-headed last year and partnered with many education groups as well as my friends on the other side of the aisle.
Recently I have had three of my bills defeated which include: septic system inspection for homes on lakes, increase length to 90 feet for combination semi-trailers, and a pipeline cleanup fund. We had great discussion on SB 180 which was the pipeline cleanup fund to require oil pipeline companies to contribute up to $30 million. Opposition to the bill said it wasn’t needed because TransCanada is a solid company, or they thought the fund should be even higher. SB 180 did not make it out of committee but it has enjoyed bi-partisan support throughout its journey. I expect to bring the bill back in a different form next year, specifically targeting the possible 3rd party claims from a potential oil leak in South Dakota.
During our crossover day discussion we had a number of education bills which were debated and most of them were sent over to the House. Some of the bills assisted education, others were more symbolic, and then some cut education. I took most significant interest in SB 152, which is the Senator Rhoden legislation which will freeze the amount of local property taxes paid to school districts. Under the current Daugaard Administration proposal to cut education 10%, the amount of local support for education would have also been decreased. I supported this plan proposed by Senator Rhoden because we are in desperate times for funding education. However, I stressed the cautious approach as well, because this further spreads the difference between local and state support for funding K-12 education. SB 152 will maintain the proportion of mill levies for agriculture, owner/occupied, and commercial property. We had a roughly 4% increase for assessments on agriculture property while owner/occupied and commercial property stayed very flat. Due to the increase in value of agriculture land the mill levies are adjusted down and the owner/occupied and commercial will stay even. This is good tax policy and will maintain what has been common practice. If SB 152 continues to be approved and signed into law and if the Legislature doesn’t change anything else in K12 education funding based on the Governor’s proposal, there will be about a 6% cut in funding instead of the 10%.
Every day I express my continued discontent with the possible 10% cuts to education and Medicaid. Our kids in the school system, along with the elderly, are just two areas that would be severely impacted with such drastic cuts. I always enjoy hearing about issues that are important to you.
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Weekly report from Pierre
By Jason | February 18, 2011
Public outrage to the proposed cuts to schools and nursing homes is very obvious and the message is resonating with policy officials in Pierre! Mark your calendars for March 2nd and visit Pierre for the “speak up for kids” day in the Legislature.
Lately we have had continued discussion on update language for our productivity method to value agriculture land. This is our current system which is different from previous years where market value was utilized to evaluate agriculture land. I have continued to support the productivity method to evaluate our agriculture land because it is a more accurate method to determine the potential of the land. The drawback to the market system is that currently the sales of agriculture real property are very high and often times driven by emotion or spreading out the bloated price throughout many other acres currently owned. Legislation that has been working through the process has been minor changes that allow more flexibility for local county assessors. There is also a bill which would allow more than 10% increase or decrease in the valuation of cropland or non-cropland agriculture real property each year. This change is in an attempt to work towards where the actual valuation numbers will be in 2017.
This week the Senate took a step to try and save the lives of South Dakotans. SB 71, a bill that would make it illegal to text while driving, passed the Senate. This bill will help address the deaths resulting from texting and driving. I agree that this bill is not perfect but anything that the legislature can do to bring awareness and discourage recklessness that results in the deaths of our mothers, fathers, sons, or daughters should be advanced. This bill will help to address the major problem that texting and driving has become. I hope to see this bill pass the House soon, and for it to be signed into law by Governor Daugaard.
Economic development funding has been a focal point of discussion in the Legislature. There are at least two schools of thought: give corporate tax giveaways or create real community entrepreneurs and expand small businesses. The Governor’s Office continues to push forward with their plan to give corporate tax breaks on the contractors excise tax to large projects. Medium-sized, small businesses and entrepreneurs would not be eligible. More importantly the corporate tax giveaway will divert necessary funds for education and Medicaid.
Sales tax increase legislation still has a glimmer of hope and will be debated further in the State Affairs committee and possibly on the Senate floor. Many folks throughout the State have spoken that they want to keep our schools funded and nursing homes to stay open to take care of our family and friends.
Langford and Waubay high school senior classes have recently made the trek to Pierre. Fortunately the weather has cooperated lately and many students have had the chance to tour our State Capitol and witness government in action.
When I leave Pierre for the weekend my conscience is clear and I am confident that the decisions I make are taken very serious. I always enjoy hearing about issues that are important to you.
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Weekly Legislative Update
By Jason | February 10, 2011
When I arrived to the Capitol on Monday, February 7th I knew that the bench outside my office would be missing someone who has been a monumental presence in the capitol for over 50 years. Throughout the day I could tell that many of us were thinking about the effect Jeremiah D. Murphy had on all of us. He will truly be missed. Flowers were placed on the bench where Mr. Murphy was always found, hopefully a plague will be placed over that bench in remembrance of him, and a service will be held in Pierre for all those who he has had an effect. What a great tribute to a man who has always been very fair to me and my previous three generations who have served the Legislature.
Even with the loss of a monumental figure the work continued on this week just as Jeremiah Murphy would have wanted. This week the Senate took a step in helping to keep families together and help rehabilitate DUI offenders by passing legislation that would allow for a test program of Ignition Interlock systems. These devices prevent vehicles from starting if the presence of alcohol is present from on the breath of the owner. These devices have improved over the years to ensure the owner is the only one attempting to start the vehicle and in quality. I supported expanding this test program to the rest of the State but, unfortunately, my Republican colleagues saw fit to confine the program to Sioux Falls and Rapid City. However, I still feel that this is an important program and I support it in hopes of keeping families together and rehabilitating offenders into productive members of our society.
Every time I walk into the Capitol I remember that I am here to perform the work of the people who elected me. I believe that this work and government in general should be done in the view of the public. This is why I support open government so adamantly. Unfortunately, sometimes decisions are made to help hide information under the premise of “openness.” This is what happened when the Senate passed legislation to allow for businesses to donate to Political Action Committees (PAC’s). Many argued that this would create openness but what this legislation would allow is for companies to donate money to candidates or sponsor advertisements under names other than their companies. I believe that citizens should be able to see which company is sponsoring advertising during elections without having to hire a staff to dig through all of the records. Those who support open government should have supported the defeat of this bill and that is why I supported the defeat of the measure.
With these kinds of laws the citizens will need to work harder to peal back the layer of protections given these companies and other political donors as well as to fully research the candidates running for public office. Luckily, citizens will have ample time to do this research. Also, citizens will still be allowed to vote 45 days prior to Election Day under absentee voting. A bill was brought forth to shorten this time period which could effect those students or citizens further away from their polling place, but with the help of some Democrats the Senate voted down this bill. I believe that every individual should be given the ability to vote and that is why I supported the defeat of this measure.
Local control is often thrown around the Capitol in both support and opposition to legislation. This week though trust was bestowed on our local officials who are on the ground educating our youngest children. A bill would have changed the funding for kindergarten students to an amount per hour the student is in class. This would have cut even more money to those school districts that offer half-day kindergarten. I know that many would support this idea; however, I could not because of the true belief in local control. I do not believe that officials in Pierre can be sure of the best way to educate kindergarteners in the vastly different communities throughout South Dakota. I believe that the local officials that work day after day with those students know what system works best with either half-day or full-day kindergarten. Thankfully, trust was given to those local officials when this measure was defeated with Democrat support.
The defeat of this effort to send full state support to local school districts for kindergarten education is a prime example that legislators from both sides of the aisle to make changes to the Governor’s proposed cuts. Another example is Chief Justice Gilbertson when he stood his ground on the fact that real people would be affected and compromised if he followed the guidelines from the Governor’s Office.
When I leave Pierre for the weekend my conscience is clear and I am confident that the decisions I make are taken very serious. I always enjoy hearing about issues that are important to you. Please contact me at sen.frerichs@state.sd.us or call me at (605) 949-2204.
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