The National Guard and Reserve makes up almost half of the United States’ military forces. Guard and Reserve servicemen and women continue to take on increased responsibilities to protect our nation. These soldiers are bravely serving their country for extended, multiple tours of duty in conflicts across the world, including... Continue Reading
The start of fall sports for students in South Dakota unofficially serves as the kick-off for autumn. It has been over 30 years since I was out on the field suited up in my pads and Coyote jersey, but this time of year always brings back memories of high school... Continue Reading
During the August recess, I had the opportunity to again visit areas affected by Missouri River flooding. While I certainly saw improvement in these areas since my previous visits, there is still much work to do be done. As the water recedes, sandbags remain in the streets and on the... Continue Reading
Sunday, September 11th, marks the ten year anniversary of that fateful day when terrorists attacked America on its own soil – the first such attack since the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Much has changed in our country since that fall morning ten years ago, but one thing has remained constant:... Continue Reading
This past week, I traveled across the state to attend community events and meetings including the Turner Country Fair, DakotaFest, and most recently, Farm Bill round tables. I relish the opportunity to attend these agriculture-centered events and hear first-hand the concerns of those working in the industry. Like many small... Continue Reading
Over the past several months, South Dakota has lost some of its finest citizens who were bravely serving in the line of duty. Prison Guard Ronald Johnson of Sioux Falls, Army Sergeant Lex Lewis of Rapid City, Police Officer J. Ryan McCandless of Rapid City, Police Officer Nick Armstrong of... Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that the national unemployment rate for July was 9.1 percent. After 30 consecutive months of unemployment at or above 8 percent, it is clear that the policies coming from Washington are damaging employers’ ability to create jobs for the nearly 14 million Americans... Continue Reading
Over the last year, the debate in Washington has centered on the themes of taxes and spending and whether we tax too little or too much. There is also a misconception out there that if we just taxed more we would not have this problem. However, the math does not... Continue Reading
The state of South Dakota continues to provide an example for the federal government in the ways of fiscal responsibility. Governor Dennis Daugaard recently announced that the state ended the fiscal year on June 30th with a balanced budget, thanks in large part to the state agencies spending less than... Continue Reading
Possibly the most revolutionary change in American agriculture in recent decades is the rise of a biofuels industry, which is currently the only competition to oil. By supporting farmers, creating jobs and generating local tax revenue, ethanol is a powerful driver of economic development for rural communities. Our two states’... Continue Reading
As flooding along the Missouri continues to affect thousands of citizens in a seven state region, a bipartisan group of 14 U.S. Senators has joined together to form the Missouri River Working Group to reevaluate current Missouri River water management practices. Our working group recently held its first meeting, in... Continue Reading
South Dakotans participate in many summer traditions that revolve around community and heritage. One such tradition celebrated with much fanfare is the all-school reunion. Although all-school reunions can be found throughout the country, South Dakota’s reunions possess a unique sense of community and commitment to improvement for future generations. Many... Continue Reading
