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Week 1 of the 101st Legislative Session is already in the books. The drive to Pierre was tough, not because of the roads, but because it meant leaving my family behind. The drive home was tough for the opposite reason: I couldn’t wait to get back, but Mother Nature had other plans, with blistering winds and whiteout conditions. Before I get into policy, here’s a quick update from home. In early August, our son Michael became a big brother to his little sister, Catherine Elaine. She’s a blessing (just like her brother), and Lauren and I are grateful every day. August was also special for another reason—Lauren and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. It's been amazing to see Michael’s love for farming - he loves to do chores and ride along in the field. I serve in Pierre thanks to your support, but I can’t serve without Lauren. Serving in Pierre means long days and missed routines at home, and she carries the load so I can represent District 19. I’m also thankful to my dad and our hired man for keeping the farm running while I’m gone. Don’t worry, they save me some chores for when I’m back home on weekends. Governor Rhoden’s State of the State was a good reality check. Sales tax revenue has been soft, and last year was only the third time in 30 years South Dakota saw negative growth—driven in part by the ag economy. That matters because it shapes every budget decision we make. The budget he released in early December was generally flat. Revenue growth is limited, and state Medicaid costs from expansion—approved by voters in 2022—and decreased FMAP is projected by law to consume nearly all new revenue. That leaves the “Big Three” of K-12 education, healthcare and community provider reimbursement, and state employee pay at 0% increases. That’s a hard spot for schools, community support workers, and state employees. Gov. Rhoden also highlighted the investment in the Keep Farmers Farming program, and he laid out a property tax proposal aimed at helping homeowners without shifting the burden onto family farms or small businesses. With those challenges in mind, here are the broad areas I’ll stay focused on this session: • Protecting rural taxpayers • Advocating for local schools, public safety, and EMS/ambulance services • Defending the Second Amendment and the unborn • Supporting jobs, opportunities, and rural growth My commitment is simple: put rural South Dakota first, protect our freedoms, and fight for policies that let our communities grow without government getting in the way. District 19 runs on agriculture. Right now, producers are dealing with tighter margins and stubborn input costs. I’m going to keep pushing for practical solutions, like increased availability of E15 at local pumps and value-added ag projects like High Plains in Mitchell. Rural health care isn’t just a service—it’s a lifeline and a major employer in our small towns. After visiting our District 19 hospitals, I’ve seen how much is riding on keeping care close to home. Rural Health Transformation funding can help strengthen local clinics and hospitals, support EMS services, and expand telehealth. It also provides tools to recruit and keep providers, improve maternal and mental health care, and bolster ambulance and emergency response—so families get quality care without driving hours. In the weeks ahead, I’ll work to keep you informed. I also need to hear from you—reach out at Drew.Peterson@sdlegislature.gov with your thoughts, concerns, and advice. As always, if there’s an issue you want on my radar, reach out. I’m here to listen and get the work done. Rep. Drew Peterson District 19