Opinion

“Great faces. Great places.” If you live in South Dakota or have traveled to the state, you’ve seen it on license plates and billboards, and some of you might have even had the catchy South Dakota Department of Tourism jingle (“Great faaaces. Great plaaaces. South Dakota!

It doesn’t get much better than spending a summer day on a lake or river in South Dakota. Recreating on the water always seems to be the perfect backdrop for family memories and laughter. It’s one of the great things about our state.

PROVERBS 30: 24-28 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. The cronies (rock badgers) are but a frail folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks.

We have all had to deal with bullies throughout our lives, and I have had my share. One fall day, coming home from school, I saw two guys from my third-grade class beating up on a smaller kid and was moved to step in to help.

Our SDGF&P Department has received a petition that will be considered in the coming September commissioner’s meeting that deals with riflescopes on muzzleloader rifles.

This year has been tough for South Dakotans. The storms this spring brought destruction to homes, businesses, roads, and communities throughout the state. Unprecedented flooding made it difficult for farmers and ranchers to get into fields.

MATTHEW 16:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducee's.

When President Trump was elected, he promised to fight for American workers by putting into place strong, fair trade deals. He has worked hard to deliver on that promise.

Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act becoming law in December 2017, the last time any kind of comprehensive tax reform legislation made it to a president’s desk was the same year “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Platoon” hit the big screen.

I’m back in South Dakota for the August work period. While I don’t believe Congress should be adjourning with so many critical issues facing our country, I wanted to give you an update on my work so far, seven months into my first term.