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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

Lawmakers Want To Keep State Competitive

Governor Dennis Daugaard says he wants to find a way to keep South Dakota competitive with other states and most lawmakers are agreeing with him. Republican State Representative Tim Rounds says the state legislature needs to find a way to get citizens to stay in South Dakota once they’ve graduated and start their careers.

"I think everyone in this room at one time or another has said our number one resource in South Dakota is its people," Rounds says. "We’ve been exporting people for years. People from South Dakota are in high demand in other areas of the country and world at that."

Rounds says this is an issue he wants to learn more about. He says many lawmakers have their own way of resolving this problem, so a lot of discussion is needed. Rounds says South Dakotans are respectful, honest and are hard workers. The Representative expects numerous bills introduced this year and anticipates lawmakers will end with a balanced budget.

Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and two kids Braxan and Jordy, live in Canton, SD.