Category Archives: State

By Senator Mike Rounds

Each year around the holidays, Jean and I like to reflect upon all of our blessings. We are incredibly grateful for our family and friends, our good health and the fact that we get to call South Dakota home. We are looking forward to spending Christmas with our loved ones, including my dad Grandpa Don and his wife Rosemary, Jean’s parents, our four kids, their spouses, our eight grandkids and all of our extended family members.

For as long as I can remember, our family has always gathered together after the 5 o’clock Christmas Eve mass at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pierre. We look forward to celebrating the holiday at our house with our family again this year, and continuing to tell the story of Christmas and reflect upon what is truly important this holiday season: family, friends, and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is also important during this time to express our gratitude to the men and women in uniform who may be spending the holidays far from home. Because of their service, the United States is the greatest, freest, most prosperous country in the world. I recently had the honor of attending a welcome home ceremony in Sioux Falls for the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and it was heartwarming to see families reconnect after spending nearly one year away from each other. We wish all of our servicemen and women, and their families, a blessed holiday season, and we pray that they will all be together again very soon.

For some, the holidays can be a challenging time of year. Showing kindness to our neighbors—and to strangers—costs nothing and can make a difference in someone’s day, week or even year. We have so much to be grateful for as South Dakotans and Americans. During the Christmas season, we are encouraged to spread the message of peace on earth and goodwill to all. This is a message that we should remember throughout the rest of the year as well.

Once again, I would like to wish all South Dakotans a very blessed Christmas and peace in the new year. I thank those of you who took the time to write, call or meet with me as I traveled across the state. It is an honor to work for you in the United States Senate. Thank you for all you do to make South Dakota the best place in the world to call home.

One of my favorite times of the year farming was the day we started to put the seed in the ground, because on that day, the seed had every opportunity to produce a high-yielding harvest. The next few months would require hard work to help that seed mature – and we’d need to pray that factors outside our control would cooperate as well – but that was all yet to come; planting was a day of hope and opportunity.

Each new year, we find that same sense of optimism about what’s to come, and perhaps nowhere is that truer for 2017 than in Washington, D.C., where the new year will bring a new Congress, a new administration, and a new hope for the future.

The repeal of Obamacare will likely be one of the first seeds planted in 2017. For years, our efforts have been shut down by Senate Democrats or vetoed by the president, but we now have a path to repeal. At the same time, we have been working openly and collaboratively to assemble a replacement for Obamacare that fundamentally decreases the cost of healthcare, increases access and affordability, protects coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and our young people, and gives you the peace of mind that your most intimate financial and health decisions can be made by you with the consult of your doctor.

While the next Farm Bill isn’t expected to be finalized until 2018, the hearing process is expected to begin in 2017. We have already begun writing some of the new policies that ought to be included, but we’ll continue collecting feedback and ideas throughout the next year.

Comprehensive tax reform is another 2017 priority for both Congress and the president-elect. In 2015, I became the first South Dakotan in history to earn a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is the committee that specializes in tax-related reforms. We’ve been focused on writing a new tax code that is simpler, fairer, and more accountable than the one that exists today.

President-elect Trump and Congress also have fixing the regulatory environment at the top of our New Year’s resolution lists. Some of these regulations can be repealed by the administration acting alone. Others will require congressional action. Either way, it’s a must-do beginning this January.

We will also continue our efforts to reform the Indian Health Service, expand the Black Hills National Cemetery, keep the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery open, increase support for the Lewis & Clark rural water project, maintain services at the Hot Springs VA Hospital, and ensure anti-human trafficking efforts have the support they need. Supporting the administration on national security and border security issues will also be a priority.

There is plenty of work to be done to make sure these seeds of opportunity produce a harvest in 2017, but I am encouraged by the outlook. This New Year, I hope you too can find the hope and optimism that defines this season. On behalf of my entire family, I wish you the best in 2017.

By Senator John Thune

For many South Dakotans, the presidential election probably dominated conversations with friends and family for much of the year. It’s no surprise, considering how historic the election was from beginning to end. And while that certainly makes 2016 a year for the history books, I’m sure there are many other reasons why South Dakotans will remember the last 12 months and be thankful for the opportunities that came their way. So before we flip the calendar from 2016 to 2017, I wanted to share just a handful of reasons why this year has been so special for me.

After my faith, my family means more to me than anything else in the world. Kimberley, my far better half, has been my rock for more than 30 years and continues to push me to be a better person both personally and professionally. Our daughters Brittany and Larissa never cease to amaze me, and I’m so proud of the lives they continue to build with their respective husbands Luke and Scott.

This year was a year of firsts for our family as Larissa and Scott welcomed their first child, Henley Joy Hargens, who also happened to be our first grandchild. I joke with Kimberley that it was easier for her than me to add “grand” to our titles of mother and father, but all joking aside, there is no way to fully describe in words the immense joy of seeing your baby girl holding a baby girl of her own. Next year will bring another first for our family as Brittany and Luke welcome their first child, too.

After becoming a grandfather, it’s hard not to think about my dad who is now a great grandfather to 20 amazing kids. While my dad will turn 97 years old this year, he’s a perfect example of age merely being a number. He and I spent a morning on the golf course earlier this summer, and although he’s more than 40 years my senior, he can still golf a better round than me. My dad still joins us every October for the pheasant opener, too. Roosters or not, he’s usually one of the happiest people in camp.

I’m also thankful for the people of South Dakota. It’s a humbling experience to be elected to the Senate and bring your voice to the halls of the U.S. Capitol. My staff, who work throughout South Dakota and in Washington, D.C., are easily the hardest-working group in the Senate. Like me, whether it is spring, summer, fall, or now during the holiday season, they are always ready to work hard for you.

2016 has been busy, but it has also been a fun, healthy, and happy year. Here’s to an even better 2017.

Usually, the only difference between animals in shelters and the ones curled up by our side is merely a stroke of bad luck. Many of us consider our animals as a member of the family unit, and rightly so. After all, it is a horrifying thought to picture the animals we love sitting alone in a shelter – so it is easy for us to simply not imagine it at all. They deserve better.

Swier Law Firm is putting down its legal books and asking you to join us in raising money to help the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society this holiday season. Let’s make sure our furry and feathery friends find a forever home. Join us in feeding some of the most innocent and unconditionally loving souls! The coming holiday season is the toughest time of the year for the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society because of freezing temperatures and holiday spending. Whether you want to give two dollars or two hundred, every single contribution matters.

Even if you don’t have an extra dollar or two, many of us have some blankets, pads of paper, or a junk drawer full of unused pens that are just waiting to be put to good use. Please take a moment and look at the wish list of bare necessities below to keep our furry and feathery friends warm, fed, and happy.

The initial motivation behind this holiday fundraiser at Swier Law Firm was the loss of some very loved four-legged family members this past year. We decided the best way to honor them was to help feed some of their less fortunate brothers and sisters. Whether you’re making memories or remembering them, we encourage all donations to include a photo, memory, or message to honor those animals that have enhanced the quality of our lives. Near or Far—You Can Help!

Stop in or mail your items to 2121 W 63rd Place Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.on Monday through Friday. If you can only make it outside of those hours, please contact us and we will set something up with you personally. Or donate Funds at our GoFundMe page created specifically for this movement and we’ll use 100% of all donations towards the Wish List. Donations are accepted until January 13, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. and a final itemized list of all donations will be posted no later than January 20, 2017.

AAA Foundation study reveals the dangers of getting less than seven hours of sleep

Drivers who miss between one to two hours of the recommended seven hours of sleep in a 24-hour period nearly double their risk for a crash, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 35 percent of U.S. drivers sleep less than the recommended seven hours daily. And with drowsy driving involved in more than one in five fatal crashes on U.S. roadways each year, AAA warns drivers that getting less than seven hours of sleep may have deadly consequences.

“You cannot miss sleep and still expect to be able to safely function behind the wheel,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Our new research shows that a driver who has slept for less than five hours has a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk.”

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s report, Acute Sleep Deprivation and Risk of Motor Vehicle Crash Involvement, reveals that drivers missing 2-3 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period more than quadrupled their risk of a crash compared to drivers getting the recommended seven hours of sleep. This is the same crash risk the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration associates with driving over the legal limit for alcohol.

The AAA Foundation report found that in a 24-hour period, crash risk for sleep-deprived drivers increased steadily when compared to drivers who slept the recommended seven hours or more:
· Six to seven hours of sleep: 1.3 times the crash risk
· Five to six hours of sleep: 1.9 times the crash risk
· Four to five hours of sleep: 4.3 times the crash risk
· Less than four hours of sleep: 11.5 times the crash risk

While 97 percent of drivers told the AAA Foundation they view drowsy driving as a completely unacceptable behavior that is a serious threat to their safety, nearly one in three admit that at least once in the past month they drove when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open.

“Managing a healthy work-life balance can be difficult and far too often we sacrifice our sleep as a result,” said Jake Nelson, director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research for AAA. “Failing to maintain a healthy sleep schedule could mean putting yourself or others on the road at risk.”

Symptoms of drowsy driving can include having trouble keeping eyes open, drifting from lanes or not remembering the last few miles driven. However, more than half of drivers involved in fatigue-related crashes experienced no symptoms before falling asleep behind the wheel. AAA urges drivers to not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs of fatigue and should instead prioritize getting plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) in their daily schedules. For longer trips, drivers should also:
· Travel at times when normally awake
· Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles
· Avoid heavy foods
· Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving
· Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment

The AAA Foundation report is based on the analysis of a representative sample of 7,234 drivers involved in 4,571 crashes. All data is from the NHTSA’s National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey which comprised a representative sample of police-reported crashes that involved at least one vehicle that was towed from the scene and resulted in emergency medical services being dispatched to the scene.

Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the formation of a Marsy’s Law Task Force to work on the interpretation of the law and to address issues surrounding its implementation.

“As Attorney General I am working to implement the new rights for victims including preparation of the Marsy’s card and upgrading our state notification system. I have formed this task force made up of key members of the criminal justice system to further assist in providing guidance for the implementation of Marsy’s law,” said Jackley.

The Task Force will consist of representation from law enforcement, county officials, municipal officials, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, judicial system, victim representatives and Marsy’s Law sponsors.

Marsy’s Law went into effect on November 16, 2016. With the passage of the law, constitutional requirements were required to be met including victim notification cards distributed to victims via law enforcement. The Marsy’s Card outlines all the victims’ rights and the process to invoke them. The Attorney General’s Office is in the process of distributing 100,000 copies of the card to law enforcement statewide.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds the public and commercial snow removal operators that it is illegal to place or dump excess snow on highway right of way, which includes driving surfaces, shoulders and ditches.

“The recent snowstorm across South Dakota this past week has deposited a large amount of snow already this year and we are seeing an increase in violators,” said Greg Fuller, director of Operations. ”The space within the right of way needs to be reserved for future snow that may fall on the road. If the department’s plow operators do not have a place to put that snow, it severely hampers their ability to clear roadways.”

Violation of the anti-dumping law is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one year in jail, $2,000 in fines, or both. It is the policy of the SDDOT to remove snow that has been illegally piled within the highway right of way that may be a safety hazard. In addition, violators will be billed for the costs of removing illegally dumped snow.

“Piling snow in the state highway right of way can be very dangerous,” says Fuller. “Snow piles can restrict sight distance, as well as present an extreme hazard if a vehicle leaves the roadway. Snow piles that remain adjacent to the road may cause additional drifting and visibility problems posing more safety hazards to travelers, as well as additional expenses for manpower and equipment to remove the illegally dumped snow.”

Property owners and access users are reminded it is their responsibility to remove snow from the ends of driveways and around their own mailboxes.

The department asks landowners and commercial snow-removal operators to keep excess snow on private property or haul it to legal dumping sites.

AAA projects 43.5 million Americans will take a road trip this Thanksgiving – including 142,500 South Dakotans – and drivers will pay the second-cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008, when the national average was $1.85. Today’s national average price of $2.14 per gallon represents a savings of three cents per gallon versus one week ago and nine cents per gallon on the month. Significant yearly savings persist and pump prices are only five cents higher than compared to last year.

South Dakota’s pump price has dropped 6 cents since last week to stand today at $2.139, according to http://gasprices.aaa.com.

The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) Commission voted to allow ice anglers to clean fish species, while on the ice, that do not have water-specific size restrictions.

Anglers fishing multiple days will also be able to keep a legally caught possession limit of fish while on the ice. Anglers would still have to adhere to the fish transportation rule that requires fish to be readily countable. These changes are effective Jan. 1, 2017.

A 28-foot tall Colorado blue spruce from Huron has been chosen to serve as the featured tree in the South Dakota State Capitol Christmas tree display.

“This tree was donated by Bob and Cheryl Krutzfeldt and has a unique tie to the state department of agriculture,” says Rachel Ormseth, urban forestry coordinator for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Resource Conservation and Forestry Division. “In 1986, the tree was given to the Krutzfeldt’s daughter Linda by department forester John Hinners, who was giving an Arbor Day Presentation at Linda’s school. She planted the tree outside her window so she could see the tree every day. Now, that tree is inside our state capitol building as the featured tree in this year’s display.” (***Download Ormseth audio here.***)

The South Dakota State Capitol Christmas tree display will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from Nov. 23 through Dec. 26.