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South Dakota’s One Hundred and First Legislative Session began Tuesday, Jan. 13. It is an honor to return to Pierre as your District 19 Senator. I look forward to working with my District mates Jessica Bahmuller and Drew Peterson to represent District 19. My committe eassignment s remain the same as last session which include the Senate Transportation and Senate L oc a l G over n ment Committees and will again serve as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. Property taxes have been an ongoing topic and were discussed in Governor Rhoden’s State of the State speech. There will likely be a number of bills on property taxes, which could impact all levels of local government. A strong and growing economy is what is needed to provide tax relief and keep taxes low. Chief Justice Jensen gave the State of the Judiciary Address. South Dakota has placed more emphasis on probation and treatment courts in recent years. Last year we repealed South Dakota’s outdated law and the only one in the nation that made ingestion a felony. Jensen quoted John Adam’s saying “Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence; nor is the law less stable than the fact.” In a time when misinformation runs rampant, it is important to legislate and make decisions based on facts and what bills actually do or don’t do. Ien courage any one interested in the happenings of the legislature to visit the Capitol and observe the proceedings. I met with dozens of constituents who visited Pierre in the first week. The proceedings of the legislature can be viewed on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. South Dakotans have over whel mingly expressed their support for public broadcasting and in 2025 the legislature worked to support and fund SDPB to keep our government open and transparent. Week Two will see more bills being heard in committees and more reaching the House and Senate Floor. I can be contacted at 605- 660-6468 or kyle.schoenfish@ sdlegislature.gov Kyle Schoenfish District 19 State Senator Chairman of Senate Education