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Hello District 19 – The fourth week of the 100th Legislative Session marked the halfway point of what has beenaveryuniqueandexciting Session.
Read moreThe pace of the session has really picked up this week. 269 Housebillsand219Senatebills havebeenintroduced.Committees are diligently working to give each bill its fair hearing. Education savings accounts, also referred to as school vouchers, have been one of the biggest issues this session. The bills were strongly opposed by our public schools and educators anddiedincommittee.Ido not believe there is an appetite in the legislature to revisit the concept. I applaud the hundreds of friends in District 19 for reaching out on the cause.
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Three teams represented South Dakota at the annual 4H Western National Roundup in Denver last week, from January 8th through the 10th.
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Tom Studelska was a pioneer in the sport of wrestling since the late 1950s. He was on the first wrestling team in Parkston in 1959. After high school, Tom played a significant role in starting wrestling at the University of South Dakota Springfield where he wrestled as part of the team for three years in addition to being a four-year letter winner in football.
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The most recent survey of teen mental health by the Centers for Disease Control in 2023 revealed that 20.3% of adolescents in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This reflects a 35% increase since 2016. The survey also found that 40% of teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, 20% seriously considered suicide, and, tragically, 9% attempted suicide.
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DAYS OF SCHOOL CELEBRATION
Read moreIamveryimpressedwithall the emails and letters regarding potential legislation and how it could, if implemented, impact your life. While time consuming, I am sure to read them all. As stated last week we do have a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Governor Larry Rhoden has been a public servant of the state for almost 20 years and one I have called a friend for many of those years. Never in South Dakota history has the transition of Governor taken placeduringthelegislativesession. Withthetransitioncomes a Lt. Governor nomination; Rhoden has chosen Armour native, Representative Tony Venhuizen to fulfill this role. Representative Venhuizen has served in many capacities in the executive and legislative branches, he is a wealth of knowledge and will be missed intheHouse.Venhuizenunanimously wontheapprovalofthe legislature, and I know he will serve us well. Best wishes to both in their new roles.
Read moreThis past week, I started out in a new job. After six years serving as your lieutenant governor, I had the opportunity to shorten my title. I’d like to take some time to share some things you might not know about me.
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