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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

Pine Beetle Legislation Passes SD House

South Dakota lawmakers want to continue efforts to fight Pine Beetles in the Black Hills. Republican State Representative Mike Verchio says this is an ongoing effort to resolve an issue in South Dakota.

"I don’t think many people realize, this is not just a blanket gift to people to go out and cut and chunk their trees. They have to kick in half the cost also and if we don’t continue this fight for at least another couple years, all that money that’s been spent, which is about 9 million dollars at this point, is going to be an absolute [and] total waste," Verchio says.

Senate Bill 28 appropriates nearly $2 million to help fight the Pine Beetles. This bill passed the South Dakota House of Representatives 66-3 and it now goes back to the Senate for approval. If the Senate concurs, it will go to the Governor.

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.