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U.S. Senate moves to avoid a partial government shutdown, but time running short
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate took a broadly bipartisan vote Tuesday to advance a short-term spending bill, but both chambers of Congress must approve the legislation before a Friday funding deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. The 68-13 procedural vote moves the bill toward a final vote in the Senate in the coming days, […] The post U.S. Senate moves to avoid a partial government shutdown, but time running short appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State lacks data to prove trapping program increases the pheasant population, official says
A state official said Tuesday there is no data to show that a predator trapping program has increased the state’s pheasant population. Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kevin Robling presented information about the program to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and fielded questions from committee members during a hearing at the Capitol in […] The post State lacks data to prove trapping program increases the pheasant population, official says appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Bill would tighten residency rules for hunting licenses
A legislative committee in Pierre recommended the adoption of a bill Tuesday that would impose stricter criteria for resident hunting and fishing licenses. To qualify as a “resident” under existing state law, hunters and anglers must live in South Dakota for at least 90 consecutive days before applying. Additionally, they must not claim residency in […] The post Bill would tighten residency rules for hunting licenses appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Drunken driving courts prepare for more action from minimum-sentence law
The state’s court system is preparing for a potential spike in DUI court participation after last year’s lawmakers attached mandatory minimum prison sentences to felony repeat offenses. That was among the messages State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre during an update on the […] The post Drunken driving courts prepare for more action from minimum-sentence law appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Child tax credit expansion, business incentives combined in new congressional tax plan
WASHINGTON — Leading members of Congress released a bipartisan, bicameral tax proposal Tuesday, promising a middle-path deal to help low-income families and provide incentives for businesses as Trump-era tax breaks expire. The framework led by top tax policy leaders U.S. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Republican Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri would raise the child […] The post Child tax credit expansion, business incentives combined in new congressional tax plan appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Trump cruises to historic Iowa caucus victory; DeSantis edges past Haley
Former President Donald Trump was projected to win the Iowa Caucuses Monday night, according to The Associated Press, which calls unofficial results for American elections. AP called the caucuses for Trump just after 7:30 p.m. Central, just 30 minutes into the Iowa precinct meetings. With more than 95% of the vote reported, Trump was leading […] The post Trump cruises to historic Iowa caucus victory; DeSantis edges past Haley appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Republicans give three cheers for the Electoral College — again
Lawmaking is a pretty straightforward business. A well-written law lacks ambiguity. If it’s done right, there’s no need to read between the lines to figure out what legislators really meant. That’s not the case with concurrent resolutions, which are meant to offer a snapshot of what lawmakers are thinking about an issue. Since they don’t […] The post Republicans give three cheers for the Electoral College — again appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
The lessons of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life should give us hope today
As we remember and reflect on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there are valuable lessons that should give us hope that we can overcome what we face today in a divided and teetering America. If we, like King, truly believe that the words of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence […] The post The lessons of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life should give us hope today appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Creative thinking needed to save rural hospitals
Over the last 15 years, approximately 150 rural hospitals have closed nationwide. What does it mean? Are these facilities obsolete, no longer needed? Maybe in a few places, but in the vast majority of communities they provide critically important services. In most rural communities, the hospital has multiple roles and is the cornerstone for health […] The post Creative thinking needed to save rural hospitals appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Bill would raise cap on private school scholarships funded by insurance companies
A bill beginning its journey through the Legislature would create more private school scholarships funded by insurance companies in exchange for tax relief. The legislation would raise the annual tax-credit cap for insurance companies from $3.5 million to $5 million. The companies get state tax credits in exchange for donations to a private-school scholarship program for […] The post Bill would raise cap on private school scholarships funded by insurance companies appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
House sends permanent tax cut to Senate, where leader says prospects are dim
A bill to permanently set South Dakota’s state sales tax rate at a reduced 4.2% passed through the House of Representatives on a 54-12 vote Friday at the Capitol, but a Senate leader said it could be doomed in his chamber. Senate President Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown, expects senators to reject the bill. “They […] The post House sends permanent tax cut to Senate, where leader says prospects are dim appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Lawmakers advance plan to put prison legal defense costs on state ledger
The state would pay the legal defense fees for inmates who commit crimes behind the prison walls under a measure endorsed by a group of legislators Friday morning at the Capitol in Pierre. The House State Affairs Committee voted 13-0 to push House Bill 1039 to the budget committee for further consideration. The bill was […] The post Lawmakers advance plan to put prison legal defense costs on state ledger appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson committed Friday to following the topline spending agreement he struck with Democrats less than a week ago, following a day of speculation that he was preparing to walk away from the deal. “Our top line agreement remains,” Johnson said in a statement to reporters just off the House […] The post With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
New turmoil over possible shutdown in D.C. amid warnings of a WIC food program shortfall
WASHINGTON — Meetings on Thursday between U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and conservative lawmakers led to speculation he was about to walk away from the bipartisan spending agreement he signed off on just this past weekend — a decision that would greatly increase the chances of a partial government shutdown next week. Also Thursday, Biden […] The post New turmoil over possible shutdown in D.C. amid warnings of a WIC food program shortfall appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Country music singer ‘Jelly Roll’ pleads with Congress to act on fentanyl crisis
WASHINGTON — Country music star Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord stepped out of the recording studio and into a Capitol Hill hearing room on Thursday to urge Congress to take action to curb both the supply of illicit fentanyl and the demand for it. “I could sit here and cry for days about the caskets I’ve […] The post Country music singer ‘Jelly Roll’ pleads with Congress to act on fentanyl crisis appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Armed guard requirement for schools defeated in committee
Concerns about staffing, costs and local control combined Thursday morning to spell defeat for a bill that aimed to force schools to employ armed guards. The 5-2 vote in the Senate Education Committee followed more than an hour of debate on Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Brent Hoffman, R-Hartford. Hoffman’s proposal and his approach […] The post Armed guard requirement for schools defeated in committee appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Permanent sales tax reduction bill flies through committee
A bill to permanently set South Dakota’s state sales tax rate at a reduced 4.2% sailed through its first committee hearing Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre with an 11-1 vote. Prime sponsor Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, told House Taxation Committee members the bill “concludes some unfinished business” from last year’s session. The 2023 […] The post Permanent sales tax reduction bill flies through committee appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Jackley’s bill signals resurrection of Open Meetings Commission
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley made some news last month when he announced the five bills he’s backing during the 2024 legislative session. Most of the headlines generated by his announcement concerned the attempt to regulate a livestock tranquilizer being used by drug dealers or outlawing the use of artificial intelligence to create child […] The post Jackley’s bill signals resurrection of Open Meetings Commission appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
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We use our journalistic searchlight to illuminate critical issues facing South Dakota, dissect the decisions made by state leaders, and explain the consequences of their policies and the role of politics on South Dakotans. We publish news and commentary that prioritizes accuracy, fairness, insight and civility. There is no charge to access our content, or to subscribe to our email newsletter. We invite and publish guest commentary that contributes to productive public discourse and adheres to our editorial policies. South Dakota Searchlight launched in 2022. We’re an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The staff of the Searchlight retains full editorial independence.
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