Frustrations and living in the Twilight Zone are how South Dakota State Democrats are describing this year’s legislative session.
During the end of the week press briefing House Minority Leader Jamie Smith referenced a number of bills introduced so far that he says make our state look very unwelcoming.
“It’s not a place that says come here, bring your family here. We had bill 1057 that made it through the house that dealt with trans-people. Yesterday in the house there was a surrogacy ban so people with fertility issues so that bill is upsetting. Then we have 1215 outlawing gay marriage, ya know it’s going backwards for the state of South Dakota.”
A bill that will no longer require students to receive immunizations before entering school is expected to be debated in Pierre. Rep. Smith shares his opposition to the measure.
“I don’t want measles to come back. I don’t want polio to make a resurgence. South Dakota – we vaccinate our cattle even what about our families.”
Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert spoke to his disappointment that so far there is little discussions taking place on funding increases to education, state employee salaries or Medicaid providers.
“I was talking to an appropriate yesterday and I asked, where are you on funding and he said. I don’t know.”
Sen. Jim Bolin, assistant majority leader says South Dakota’s legislature is very different than other states – with a more open process which is why we see such a variety of bills.
“The ability of any one member to bring any bill on any topic is actually one of the hallmarks of the SD Legislature, sometimes it can be distracting but clearly illustrates the open process the SD Legislature illustrates.”
House Majority Leader Lee Qualm says appropriators will examine the budget next week while other committee meetings are just as busy.