With the summer travel season around the corner, we have plenty to look forward to-spending time with our families, a long-awaited vacation, or visiting old friends across the country. But along with the fun of summer travel comes one headache we could certainly do without: airline delays. Unfortunately, delayed and... Continue Reading
Countries such as Venezuela currently make a hefty profit from American consumers by forcing us to pay close to $70 a barrel or more for oil. The excessive oil profits enjoyed by these countries constitute a tax which all too often ends up fueling terrorist activities of radical extremists who... Continue Reading
The Bush administration’s recent plan to promote Brazilian ethanol production should cause American farmers and others vested in the American ethanol industry a great deal of concern. Given the growth of the Brazilian ethanol industry and its intentions to penetrate the American market, I believe the administration’s plan to promote... Continue Reading
The 2007 Farm Bill is important to every South Dakotan. How important? The 2007 Farm Bill has the potential to propel South Dakota into a more profitable era of food, fiber, energy production, and outdoor recreation. This is why I take my seat on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,... Continue Reading
Through increased research and awareness, cancer prevention is taking root in our country and keeping more and more Americans healthy. On January 17, the American Cancer Society’s 2007 Annual Statistics Report announced that deaths caused by cancer significantly decreased by 3,014 Americans from 2003 to 2004. This is the steepest... Continue Reading
Our nation stands at an energy crossroads. If we continue down the path we’re on, we face an increasingly unstable energy supply that depends chiefly on foreign nations rife with political unrest and anti-American sentiment. However, if our country can gradually veer off of this dead-end path and embrace a... Continue Reading
I recently had the opportunity to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new ethanol plant in Loomis-yet another impressive addition to South Dakota’s budding alternative fuels industry. The remarkable progress our state has made in the renewable energy arena has helped to transform South Dakota’s agriculture industry and given our... Continue Reading
Communities and towns across South Dakota stand to gain thousands of new jobs, increased business opportunities and vast economic growth if the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern (DM&E) Railroad’s plans to expand and upgrade its rail line become a reality. I, along with Senator Johnson, Congresswoman Herseth, and Governor Rounds, continue... Continue Reading
I am quite certain I can make the following statement without any double-checking of my facts: “No South Dakotan enjoys completing their tax returns.” Even if we are receiving a refund, the steps necessary to get that check from the IRS make us cringe. The only group of individuals who... Continue Reading
Starting on November 15, new Medicare beneficiaries in South Dakota will have the option of enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan and those currently enrolled in a plan will have the option of changing their prescription drug coverage. Medicare beneficiaries satisfied with their current coverage will not have to... Continue Reading
November is American Diabetes Month. Throughout November I hope we can all work together to raise awareness and provide Americans with an opportunity to talk about ways to fight this chronic disease. Currently, about 20.8 million Americans, or seven percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Of these individuals about... Continue Reading
Celebrating Native American Day on the second Monday in October has become a tradition since 1990 when Governor George Mickelson signed a resolution designating the day as a holiday in South Dakota. This day serves as a reminder of the rich culture and traditions of our state’s tribal communities. As... Continue Reading
