Tag: State Legislature

Education, Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

Lawmakers endorse summer children’s food program, nix expansion of reduced price school meals

Gary Dickson

A bill to include South Dakota in a summer food program for children advanced to the next step of the legislative process Wednesday in Pierre, while legislation to expand eligibility for reduced-price school meals was rejected.

Lawmakers moved a bill forward that addresses the federal government’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children. It provides eligible low-income families with $40 per child, per month in preloaded cards to buy groceries during the summer months. Continue reading Lawmakers endorse summer children’s food program, nix expansion of reduced price school meals

Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

State Senate shoots down property tax valuation cap

Gary Dickson

The South Dakota Senate shot down an effort Thursday to cap property tax valuation increases at 3% a year for homeowners and rental properties.

Senate Bill 167 would have capped increases in response to the heavy hikes in property valuations that followed the COVID-19 pandemic’s start in 2020.

Sen. Jack Kolbeck, R-Sioux Falls, said his goal was to offer some relief to long-term homeowners whose new neighbors from other states helped push home values beyond what local incomes can absorb. Continue reading State Senate shoots down property tax valuation cap

Commentary2 Comments

Why requiring the national anthem in Iowa schools isn’t enough of a patriotic push

Gary Dickson

Go ahead, you wise and patriotic members of the Iowa General Assembly: Pass a law that requires the daily singing of the national anthem in schools.

House Study Bill 587 is in committee now. Fast track that thing to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk.

We must start converting our students into patriots before they get into the dangerous habit of critical thinking. Continue reading Why requiring the national anthem in Iowa schools isn’t enough of a patriotic push

Business, economic development, South DakotaLeave a comment

South Dakota cities cap video lottery as state eyes betting increase

Gary Dickson

South Dakota keeps adding video lottery machines, with 567 more terminals and over $1.17 billion gambled this year, earning a record-setting $163 million in revenue for the state.

As the games continue their sprawl and the Legislature weighs an increase in betting limits, some South Dakota communities are trying to figure out a middle-of-the-road solution for the future of the 34-year-old games. Continue reading South Dakota cities cap video lottery as state eyes betting increase