Greetings from Pierre. Actually, I am at home enjoying one of my short weekends away from the capitol. It is hard to believe that the session is already half over. The process moves very quickly with various deadlines almost every day. My first year in the legislature has been a true adventure. Let me take a moment to talk about the people and the process and then I want to discuss some of the legislation we are addressing.
I am finding the entire legislative process fascinating. I went to Pierre
with the usual concern about the ‘unknown’ that faces everyone when they do something for the first time. I was not a total stranger in the capitol but neither was I a veteran legislator. Certainly, my experience as police chief and my background in government has been helpful but I also have to learn new rules, new people and an entirely new process. Most importantly, the people have been great.
They are good people with various views about what is best for their
constituents and their state. The legislative process is generally civil,
articulate and passionate—who could ask for anything more! Yes, there are a few that seem to want cameras to follow them everywhere. There might be a couple who would put themselves above those they represent but the vast majority are citizen legislators who, in March, will return to their families, their jobs and their communities. The daily routine is hectic. In the morning we have committee meetings.
I serve on two committees that meet regularly: Judiciary at 7:45 on Tuesday and Thursday and Local Government at 10:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Committees are where we hear from the public and their spokesperson. The spokesperson are lobbyists who are everywhere in the capitol. They represent the interests of various groups and businesses. You probably have a lobbyist in Pierre even if you don’t realize it! I have found lobbyists to be very helpful as they provide information and present their arguments well. Of course, they support one side or the other but that is to be expected and I find both sides if a lobbyist doesn’t provide. Our committees are limited to seven people so there is a good exchange and discussion with plenty of decision making.
When not in morning committees I am usually at my desk on the floor, talking to constituents, visitors and lobbyists, reading email and studying agendas for upcoming committees and sessions. At 1:00PM we usually meet in our party caucus. In the Senate we have 21 Republicans and 14 Democrats. The Republicans meet to discuss the items that are on the day’s calendar. A caucus member presents the information that was heard in committee and we have discussion. Sometimes the leader polls us so they have an idea where the votes are at. We have good discussions but floor debates often determine how we actually vote on issues. At 2:00 we start our session. After some preliminary protocol that is necessary we settle down to the business at hand. We often deal with 10-20 bills a day. There is almost unlimited debate in the Senate so it is not unusual to spend more than an hour on hotly contested legislation. Sometimes it is after 5:00PM when we finish. Then we start the part of our day that I hadn’t really anticipated when I went to Pierre—the social schedule. EVERY day that we have been in Pierre we have had at least one, and as many as four, social events in the evening. These are various groups from around the state who meet in Pierre and then include a social with their legislators to meet them and, of course, discuss issues. Almost always, I meet friends and constituents from Rapid City. It is an enjoyable process but by the time I ‘make the rounds’ I am
ready for bed and an early morning committee meeting so it is back to my room at the Governors Inn.
This has been a year with its share of interesting ideas and proposals. The biggest issue is, of course, the budget and I will talk about that last, but one of the effects of a budget shortfall is a lack of proposals to
spend money. As a result, we had ‘only’ 500 bills submitted this year. That seems like a huge number and it is, but you quickly realize that each one of those is important to somebody! Here are some important issues on this years agenda:
(1) Smoking ban: A couple weeks ago the Senate rejected the smoking ban by one vote. However, there is another bill in the House so if it passes there we will face it again. I voted ‘for’ the ban believing the public health concerns trumped the personal and business rights involved.
(2) Guns on campus: Perhaps our liveliest debate so far. This is a very passionate issue featuring the Second Amendment, mass killings, gun safety and the rights of universities to make reasonable rules. I spoke against the bill that permitted any guns anywhere and everywhere on campus. Students heavily oppose guns on campus too. This is a case of balancing the good things that can happen with guns on campus(kill a madman) versus the bad things that can happen(students upset, drunk, depressed, untrained,etc.) The bill failed but, again, there is another version in the House so we may face it again.
(3)Stem cell research: We currently have a ban on embryonic stem cell research in South Dakota. This week we heard arguments to repeal that ban and permit research–at least one doctor is ready to begin work in Sioux Falls. This, of course, is a very controversial topic with both scientific and moral arguments. I believe a compromise will be presented that will allow research with only existing strains and not using new embroyos. I will probably support the compromise but I want to hear more. This is one of many areas where I need more background information and have had
to learn fast. I really appreciate all the experts that spend time in
Pierre to give us that information.
(4)Prison: This week we heard details of a new minimum security prison on Elk Vale Rd. which would replace the ‘temporary’ state facility off Ash Ave. which holds 100 prisoners now. A new facility is badly needed and there have been a couple failed efforts to build in the last few years. There is a great need to have a facility for the 250 Black Hills area prisoners who would qualify for this facility. They need to work and be near their families and prepare for their release so they can hopefully become contributing citizens. There is much work to be done to see if this is the best solution and price($6 million as compared to $15 million by the landfill). Although it is in an industrial area it is still too close for some neighbors. I am sure we will hear much more before a decision is made.
(5) The budget: By far the biggest issue we face this year is the budget.
For the last few years we have had a ’structural deficit’ meaning we have spent more than we have raised and made up the difference with reserves. Now with the collapse of the economy our small problem has become a huge one. We are more than $80 million short this year. There are only 3 ways to balance the budget. They are: (1) cut government (2) raise taxes and (3) spend reserves. First of all, our reserves are shrinking. I think reserves are for a rainy day and it is certainly raining. But, it may continue to rain and I think it would be unwise to spend all of our reserves. Besides, we don’t have enough reserves to cover an $80 million shortfall. That leaves cutting and taxes. I believe that we MUST cut government. I also believe that will mean cutting good programs and good people. Sure, there is probably some ‘fat’ or waste in government but not $80 million worth. If we are going to return to sound budgeting I think we must do some cutting. I also believe that IF we do some serious cutting that it is reasonable to ask citizens to pay some additional taxes and/or fees to make up the difference. But again, I stress AFTER we, the legislature, have done our job cutting. Where those revenues come from is yet to be decided. I think it is fair to raise fees where they are clearly below the cost of providing the service, $8 for a five year drivers license for example. And, there is discussion about an increase in sales tax, perhaps temporary, to make up the difference. Sales tax is relatively easy to collect and in many ways is the least painless to pay. And, our tourist visitors get to help pay for
the services we provide. There is much work being done on this subject. Some of it is in private conversations and some in party caucuses but the Appropriations Committee deals with it every day taking on government spending one department at a time. If you think government spending is rubber stamped you should come and sit in on Appropriations Committee hearings!
That is my report from Pierre. I will try to check in again as we near
the end–less than a month away. Feel free to contact me any time and check out my blog at craigtieszenfordistrict34.wordpress.com. Also go to the SD legislative web site and send me a email as I can turnaround a respond quickly.I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes, Senator Craig Tieszen
