Last year’s passage of the 2014 Farm Bill was a significant step forward for South Dakota farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses, as it included critical livestock assistance and a secure crop insurance program. While not perfect, the bill provided important reforms to the previous Farm Bill to help move ag policy... Continue Reading
Things have changed in our state since 1962. South Dakota’s commerce and tourism industries have flourished under the construction of the interstate highway system. Sioux Falls has nearly tripled in size; two state universities moved to division one, competing in the highest levels of academics and athletics; corn yields have... Continue Reading
It is about this time every year that people start planning for new opportunities in the year ahead. Some call them resolutions, but I prefer to call them priorities or goals. With both a new year and a new Republican majority in the Senate, I am eager to work on... Continue Reading
In the Christmas movie classic “Miracle on 34th Street,” Kris Kringle wisely says, “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it is a frame of mind…” The Christmas season is truly a frame of mind; it’s a time of memories, tradition, and generosity shared with family and friends. From picking out... Continue Reading
With a new year upon us, small businesses and families will soon begin reviewing their finances in anticipation of filing their 2014 taxes. The federal tax code is a maze of complicated provisions made worse by the uncertainty businesses and individuals face as they wait for Congress to act each... Continue Reading
South Dakota’s diverse landscape includes everything from native grasslands and fertile croplands, to forestlands and wetlands. Wetlands are especially prevalent east of the Missouri River in an area known as the Prairie Pothole Region. Farmers and ranchers in the Prairie Pothole Region are familiar with the unique challenges wetlands pose... Continue Reading
Our small businesses in South Dakota and across the country are the backbone of our nation’s economy. They produce goods, provide services, and generate revenue that keep our economy growing, provide millions of Americans with quality jobs, and keep our nation highly competitive in the global community. South Dakota has... Continue Reading
For more than six years, the Keystone XL pipeline has been at the bottom of the Democrats’ list of priorities. Yet, less than a month after the voters soundly rejected the Obama agenda at the polls on Election Day, the Democrat leadership in the Senate was suddenly willing to vote... Continue Reading
Life in South Dakota’s wide open spaces means the nearest hospital or airport can be many miles away. It also means that adequate funding and sound infrastructure are critical to maintaining roads, bridges, railroads, and airports throughout our state. The stability provided by long-term federal transportation policy gives states and... Continue Reading
While November is a busy time of year among football games, hunting trips, and the approaching holiday season, this month we also pause to reflect on the important contributions of Native Americans to our state and nation. On November 14th, I joined several of my Senate colleagues in introducing a... Continue Reading
This month we pause to thank and pay tribute to the veterans and active members of the military who have risked life and limb protecting our freedoms. Their selfless service has played a defining role in shaping who we are as South Dakotans, and their leadership on veterans’ issues is... Continue Reading
Working cooperatively, private citizens, state officials, federal government, and an active timber industry in the Black Hills has successfully fought the spread of the pine beetle and maintained the health of the forest in the area. These efforts ensure that our forests provide healthy habitat for a variety of species... Continue Reading
