Legislative week number three was action packed and full of little reminders of the goodness of God in every aspect of life. Senate Concurrent Resolution 604, a resolution encouraging the people of the state of South Dakota to seek the Lord Most High for His healing presence and mercy upon South Dakota, was heard and passed through both chambers this week. I introduced this Resolution after having the opportunity to speak with Representative Monty Fritts of Tennessee, who co-authored and introduced a very similar resolution in Tennessee. The testimonies of unity, revival, and a return to an awareness of our true moral condition after meetings were held across the state was truly inspiring. This Resolution looks back to our founding fathers and their actions, looks at current struggles we see, and admits it is a problem with the heart at the root of all and turns to the only one who can help us out of the hole we are in. We invite all who are “physically able and spiritually inclined to join us annually during the month of July for a time of prayer and fasting.” A Resolution is non-binding, does not mandate anything, or require funding.

HB1044, the Rural Health Transformation Project appropriation bill passed through both chambers and was signed by the Governor. $402 million in federal fund expenditure authority was granted. Only $189 million has been awarded to South Dakota as we speak, but proponents of the larger amount argued that the difference between the federal fiscal year and the state fiscal year mixed with session being January- March that it would hinder progress if we did not appropriate the anticipated amount awarded for next year. Personally, I am sick to my stomach thinking of the amount of money the federal government is throwing out when we all know we are beyond broke. I don’t believe government handouts have ever fixed anything when you take into consideration the long-term effects of such actions, however I supported the bill since I felt that was what our district would want. If done right there is a chance our small hospitals and health care system will benefit from this 5 year program, and I stressed to the Secretary of Health that I do not want to look back at this in ten years and see that rural South Dakota was overlooked again and Rapid City and Sioux Falls sucked up even more of the control over South Dakota’s healthcare. If anyone needs more information on the RFP process, what initiatives are included in the program, etc. please reach out to me. You can also visit doh. sd.gov and find more information on the Rural Health Transformation Project.

Appropriations had another full week of hearings and our first bill hearings. One thing that is very frustrating is trying to advocate for sound budgeting practices so that legislators and the public alike know what is going on with their tax dollars. This week my seatmate and friend Senator Taffy Howard kept advocating for transparency from the agencies, as she has always done. She got a Secretary to admit, on the record, that yes, positions with FTE (Full Time Employees) were eliminated from the Department’s budget, but the funding attached to those FTEs was not. She asked where that funding was then, and the Secretary admitted it was absorbed into the department’s budget. It feels like a never-ending battle, but I will continue to work for transparency and fiscal responsibility in government while I am in Pierre.

We have cracker barrels coming up beginning with Winner at Community Connections, Inc on the 7th at 10 a.m. followed by Gregory at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium Community Room at 1:15 p.m.

I pray the Lord would bless and keep each of you, Find bills, audio, and agenda at sdlegislature.gov