This week was a whole lot more interesting than the previous two. A resolution to eliminate Common Core standards by 2017 was narrowly defeated on the House floor after a very lengthy discussion and hours of lobbying by a very passionate anti-common core contingent.
I appreciate the passion that people show about a cause in which they truly believe—no matter whether I agree with them or not; and the anti-common core people are passionate. We’ll more than likely see the same passion when the meandering waters bill gets started.
Our legislature is a legislature of the people, and it showed in one of my bills this week. Last spring a young EMT from a neighboring district contacted me about changing a law that allowed blue lights on volunteer firefighter and rescue personnel private vehicles. The blue light warns other drivers that the vehicle is on its way to an emergency; it is not a license to break traffic laws.
The young man had experienced times when it would have been very advantageous for ambulance personnel to have the blue light and wondered about changing the statute. We had the bill drawn up, and it was heard in committee on the 28th. He did an outstanding job of presenting his case and had unsolicited support of the state firefighters’ association. It passed out of committee unanimously, and the unanimous vote was repeated when it got to the House.
Another of my bills is being heard this week that makes it easier for veterans to get the veteran’s emblem on their driver’s license. The constituent will be the main proponent.
What I’m getting at is that the South Dakota legislature is YOUR legislature. I know I preach on that maybe too much, but these are two examples. We are there for you. The big bills are the ones that get the headlines; but it’s the little ones that are sometimes more important.
The Governor has applied for a waiver from the Federal Government to allow South Dakota to expand Medicaid to the people below 100% of the poverty line. Bills with various levels of coverage have also been introduced. As I look at our County Commissioners meeting agenda for the week, one of the topics is County Assistance Applications. If we expand Medicaid, many of these applications would go by the wayside. Counties spend millions and millions of dollars each year for assistance to the poor. Think of the expansion as a form of property tax relief.
If a bill that’s being presented in committee has anything to do with money, a person from the Governor’s finance staff will be opposing it, stating that the Governor’s budget is balanced, and would have to be adjusted if this bill passed. Someday I’d like to see a legislators’ budget, a budget of the people. Or maybe, “This is a really good idea; we can change our budget a bit.” I think there’s a saying about a snowbird’s chance…
My favorite and second favorite republicans, my husband and my brother-in-law, and his very independent wife visited this past week. They were so impressed with the process, the professionalism, and the caucus meeting. I repeat, again and again, please feel free to visit.
Take care and keep in touch.
Rep. Kathy Tyler
rep.tyler@state.sd.us
605.237.0228
Kathy's Corner 