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South Dakota Searchlight
Committee advances bill banning ‘obscene live conduct’ at universities
PIERRE — A bill that would ban “obscene live conduct” at state universities raised concerns Monday among opponents who view it as a veiled attempt to target drag shows. “Who decides what is considered obscene?” said Samantha Chapman, of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, in an emailed statement. “It’s impossible to define […] The post Committee advances bill banning ‘obscene live conduct’ at universities appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Noem appoints business owner, former sheriff’s deputy to state Senate seat
Gov. Kristi Noem has filled the state’s last remaining legislative vacancy. Marine Corps veteran, longtime former law officer and current small business owner Mike Walsh will fill the District 35 state Senate seat left open by the departure of Jessica Castleberry. District 35 includes the far eastern side of Rapid City and most of Box […] The post Noem appoints business owner, former sheriff’s deputy to state Senate seat appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Are Americans really committed to democracy in the 2024 election?
With former President Donald Trump having all but wrapped up the GOP presidential nomination, one issue looks set to be at the center of the general election campaign: the threat to democracy. In a major campaign speech in Pennsylvania in January, President Joe Biden detailed Trump’s lies about the 2020 election, his efforts to use violence […] The post Are Americans really committed to democracy in the 2024 election? appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Legislative Roundup: zombie bills, teacher pay, lithium tax, pipelines and more
One of the effects of a faster start to this year’s legislative session in Pierre has been the prevalence of “zombie bills,” given new life after an initial defeat. Rather than allowing the first week of session to pass with little action, as was often the case in years past, lawmakers jumped right into bill […] The post Legislative Roundup: zombie bills, teacher pay, lithium tax, pipelines and more appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Native American lawmaker finds little support in quest to reconcile the races
In 1990, Gov. George Mickelson proclaimed a century of racial reconciliation in South Dakota. Given recent events, it just might take that long. Gov. Kristi Noem managed to anger Native American legislators when she asserted that the state’s reservations were strongholds for Mexican drug cartels. She smoothed over some of those hurt feelings in a […] The post Native American lawmaker finds little support in quest to reconcile the races appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
State Supreme Court clarifies conflicts of interest; Noem pledges to fill legislative seats
Legislators can have contracts with state government if the money comes from the annual budget bill, but not if the money comes from any other bill. That’s the gist of a state Supreme Court opinion issued Friday. Immediately after the opinion’s release, Gov. Kristi Noem said it will free her up to make appointments for […] The post State Supreme Court clarifies conflicts of interest; Noem pledges to fill legislative seats appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Five big takeaways from the special counsel’s report on Biden and classified documents
WASHINGTON — Special Counsel Robert Hur’s nearly 400-page report on the classified documents that President Joe Biden kept after leaving office includes new details on why it’s become commonplace for politicians to end up with sensitive information after they leave their posts. The report also sheds light on why Biden, then a former vice president, […] The post Five big takeaways from the special counsel’s report on Biden and classified documents appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Native American child welfare bills return after federal law upheld
Three bills were introduced last year at the South Dakota Legislature to address Native American child welfare reform. All of them were defeated, with opponents citing concerns about the U.S. Supreme Court’s impending case addressing the Indian Child Welfare Act, known by the acronym ICWA. The court has since upheld the constitutionality of the federal […] The post Native American child welfare bills return after federal law upheld appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Congress is looking at expanding the child tax credit again. Who would benefit?
WASHINGTON — The bipartisan tax package passed by the U.S. House last month is not a done deal, but the proposal’s supporters say it could restore some poverty-reducing benefits that reached millions under the pandemic-era child tax credit expansion. A majority of low-income families who do not currently qualify for the full credit would see […] The post Congress is looking at expanding the child tax credit again. Who would benefit? appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Sales tax revenue is still available as a fix for nationally bottom-dwelling teacher pay
My heart sank as Mrs. Konechne expressed her disappointment with the class. She’d assigned us to write a humorous personal essay, and she’d given us plenty of instruction. She expected better, and she was going to get it by making us all do a rewrite. My pulse jumped at the sight of red ink all […] The post Sales tax revenue is still available as a fix for nationally bottom-dwelling teacher pay appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
House panel rejects change for filling legislative vacancies
The citizens of the Rapid City area have gone without full representation now for more than half of the 2024 legislative session – and may well go without until the session ends. That reality wasn’t enough to convince members of the House State Affairs Committee to change state law on filling legislative vacancies. On Thursday, […] The post House panel rejects change for filling legislative vacancies appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
No prosecution of Biden in classified documents case, DOJ special counsel says in report
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department released a lengthy report Thursday concluding that while President Joe Biden “willfully retained” classified materials following his time as vice president, he won’t be charged with a crime. Special Counsel Robert K. Hur wrote in the 388-page report that prosecutors considered “that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present […] The post No prosecution of Biden in classified documents case, DOJ special counsel says in report appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Lawmakers slam uses of fund controlled by governor, but panel rejects reduction in revenue
Lawmakers grilled a representative of the Governor’s Office about a fund controlled by the governor, but a legislative committee rejected a bill Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre that would have reduced the money flowing to the fund. The topic was the Future Fund, which draws revenue from a tax on employers. Sen. Brent Hoffman, […] The post Lawmakers slam uses of fund controlled by governor, but panel rejects reduction in revenue appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Chinese spies came to South Dakota, state official tells legislators
During testimony Thursday on a bill to ban ownership of agricultural land by foreigners from six countries, a state official told lawmakers that Chinese spies visited South Dakota two years ago. Hunter Roberts is the head of the state’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He testified to the state House Agriculture and Natural Resources […] The post Chinese spies came to South Dakota, state official tells legislators appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
US Supreme Court appears skeptical of Colorado ruling in Trump disqualification case
U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Thursday in a landmark case over whether former President Donald Trump should be barred from the 2024 presidential ballot. A majority of the justices, including liberal members of the court, expressed skepticism about a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that said Trump, the GOP presidential frontrunner, is […] The post US Supreme Court appears skeptical of Colorado ruling in Trump disqualification case appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Thune, Rounds vote yes as U.S. Senate advances emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate moved past a procedural hurdle Thursday to begin work on a $95 billion emergency spending bill that would provide military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The strong 67-32 vote, which could predict eventual approval, came after a tense week on Capitol Hill that began Sunday evening when […] The post Thune, Rounds vote yes as U.S. Senate advances emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Scramble is on for state’s remaining federal pandemic aid
South Dakota has $130 million of federal pandemic aid left and an abundance of ideas about how to spend it. The requests from legislators are more than double the available funding. “A lot of hands are already in that bucket, and that bucket is only so deep,” said Paul Lepisto, a lobbyist for the Izaak […] The post Scramble is on for state’s remaining federal pandemic aid appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
U.S. Senate kills immigration overhaul, hits stalemate on Israel, Ukraine aid
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate was stuck over whether to begin debate on an emergency spending bill Wednesday night that would provide $95.3 billion in assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan — after senators blocked a sweeping larger package that would have overhauled immigration law for the first time in decades. Republicans said last year […] The post U.S. Senate kills immigration overhaul, hits stalemate on Israel, Ukraine aid appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Statement of opposition to abortion-rights ballot measure passes legislative committee
PIERRE — Republican lawmakers declared their opposition Wednesday to a potential November ballot question that would reinstate abortion rights. Rep. Gary Cammack, R-Union Center, introduced a resolution raising concerns about the ballot measure, hoping to “elevate the conversation,” he told lawmakers during a House State Affairs Committee hearing. Eighty-three of the Legislature’s 92 Republicans are […] The post Statement of opposition to abortion-rights ballot measure passes legislative committee appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Expansion of reduced price school meals heads to budget committee
A bill that would expand the number of students eligible for reduced price meals is headed to a legislative budget committee for further consideration. The South Dakota House Education Committee endorsed the bill 8-6 on Wednesday. Currently, students from families making 130% to 185% of the federal poverty level qualify for federally funded reduced price […] The post Expansion of reduced price school meals heads to budget committee appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
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