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Week 2 of the 101st Legislative Session is in the books, and Pierre didn’t just pick up the pace—it hit full stride. With seven weeks ahead, we’ve got a lot left to tackle, including the big one: property tax relief. Before I get into policy, here’s a quick update from home. Lauren and the kids were sick most of the week, which made for a long stretch at our house. It also meant they couldn’t make it to Sioux Falls last Saturday when South Dakota Corn recognized me as Legislator of the Year. I’m extremely grateful for the award, but I missed having them there to celebrate the night. I also need to give a shoutout to my Eichacker in-laws for their support at our home over the past two weeks while Lauren and the kids were sick. Their support makes a real difference and makes this all possible. Thankfully, everyone was feeling better by this Sunday, and we were able to celebrate Catherine’s baptism together in the same church Lauren and I were baptized many years ago. It was a true blessing to welcome her into the Church—thank you Fr. Kuhn for celebrating! A big issue for District 19 is rural health care, as I discussed in last week's article. It’s not just about appointments and emergencies—it’s about jobs, stability, and whether a young family feels they can stay in a small town for life. This weekend, I had the chance to attend the Freeman Regional Health annual gala, which was a good reminder of what makes rural health work: local people showing up and investing in their community. I am keeping a close eye on the approval of the Rural Health Transformation Program. It cleared Joint Appropriations this week, the first step. South Dakota was awarded $189.5 million in year one through the federal Working Families Tax Cut, and over the next five years, we could access up to $1 billion to strengthen rural health care. I support it for a simple reason: the funding is federal, but South Dakota runs the program and sets the priorities. That lets us aim the investment where it matters here at home—stronger local hospitals and clinics, better access to care, and improved emergency management coverage, so help shows up faster when seconds count. A few senators voted no and argued that we should send the money back to Washington. I disagree. If we turn the money down, the dollars aren’t refunded—they’re reallocated to other states, like Minnesota. I’d rather bring our tax dollars back home and use them to strengthen rural hospitals, clinics, and our emergency response teams for those of us who live here. Another important development this week was HB 1049, which I voted for in committee and on the floor. This bill would ban foreign adversaries from buying or controlling electrical and utility infrastructure in South Dakota, using the same prohibited-entity list concept as the ag land ban passed a few years ago. Bottom line: our grid is critical infrastructure. We should treat it as such and keep foreign adversaries out—plain and simple. It was a fun week for the future of ag in Pierre. We celebrated FFA Week, and I had the chance to attend the FFA District Officer Breakfast with students from McCook Central and Bridgewater-Emery. Seeing young people from our district across the state show up, speak up, and advocate for the industry they’re growing up in gives me confidence in South Dakota ag’s future. It reassured me that agriculture’s future is in great hands! In the weeks ahead, I’ll work to keep you informed. I also enjoy hearing from each and every one of you— reach out at Drew. Peterson@sdlegislature.gov with your thoughts, concerns, and advice anytime. As always, if there’s an issue you want on my radar, reach out. I’m here to listen and get the work done.