The second week of Session began Tuesday, Jan. 21, with a vote on Senate Joint Resolution 502 which applies for a convention of states to impose fiscal restraints, limit the powers of the Federal Government and impose term limits on members of Congress. The National Debt continues to grow, and burdensome regulations are being created all the time. SJR 502 passed the Senate, 23-9. I voted in favor. As I complete this article, Kristi Noem has been confirmed as Secretary of The Department of Homeland Security and Larry Rhoden is now the Governor of South Dakota. The Senate floor session held Friday, Jan. 24, was the last day Governor Larry Rhoden presided over the South Dakota Senate as Lieutenant Governor. In South Dakota, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run together on the same ticket, but the Lieutenant Governor must be nominated at the State convention. My mother, Loretta Schoenfish, served as a voting delegate to the State Republican Party Convention in 2018 and 2022 and I was a voting delegate in 2022. Even though both conventions had contested races for Lieutenant Governor, it was an easy decision to vote for Larry Rhoden as the best candidate. I will always be grateful for his persistent encouragement for me to run for the District 19 Senate seat which then Governor Noem appointed me to when it became vacant a year before the election, due to a resignation. Governor Rhoden is honest, accessible, and focused on South Dakota. In Week Three it is expected that Rhoden will name his choice for the new Lieutenant Governor and the House and Senate will vote on whether to confirm. I can be contacted at 605-660-6468 or kyle.schoenfish@sdlegislature.gov Kyle Schoenfish District 19 State Senator Chairman of Senate Education