In December of 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its intention to reconfigure the VA Black Hills Health Care System services located in Hot Springs, Fort Meade, and Rapid City. The proposal sparked great concern throughout Hot Springs and the surrounding communities about how the VA changes would... Continue Reading
Pending before President Obama is a true economic stimulus plan. Unlike the $833 billion stimulus bill that was loaded with pet projects and wasteful government spending, this stimulus plan is privately funded and would not waste taxpayer dollars on yet another duplicative government program. Instead, this plan would bolster private... Continue Reading
Since President Obama took office in 2009, an additional 15 million Americans have been added to the food stamp rolls. This trend has continued despite economic indicators coming from his administration that suggest the number of Americans out of work and enrolling in government safety net programs should be on... Continue Reading
Recently, I have had the opportunity to travel around the state to several cities for town hall meetings to discuss our nation’s financial stability. I have enjoyed these meetings and believe that all South Dakotans deserve to know the path ahead as Congress prepares to address our nation’s debt limit... Continue Reading
As we ring in the New Year, we reflect on the hope, promise, and challenges that 2013 will hold. Many individuals stop to consider the personal improvements and changes they can make to their lives to ensure that 2013 holds even more opportunity than 2012. As we begin the New... Continue Reading
Backdoor energy taxes and burdensome regulations have become synonymous with the overreach of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The past four years have been riddled with job-reducing mandates and taxes increasing energy costs for all South Dakotans that blocked development projects and destroyed opportunities for job creation. In late December,... Continue Reading
South Dakota is nicknamed “The Land of Infinite Variety” thanks in part to its diverse landscape consisting of fertile farm ground, the Missouri River Basin, western grasslands, and of course the beautiful Black Hills. However, the beauty of the Black Hills is in jeopardy due to the alarming pine beetle... Continue Reading
Christmas has always been a season of tradition. From picking out the Christmas tree, to baking for the neighbors, nearly every family has their own customs and traditions around the holidays. Some of these traditions are community-wide celebrations that capture the true spirit of the season. Throughout the state you... Continue Reading
Since 1950, Congress has provided financial assistance to local school districts through the U.S. Department of Education’s Impact Aid program. Impact Aid was designed to help compensate school districts for the loss of tax revenue caused by federal ownership of land, including tribal land and national parks, and for other... Continue Reading
It has been a hot, dry year in South Dakota. The drought-stricken landscape and the loss of crops, hay, and pastures have made this a challenging year for farmers, ranchers, and communities across South Dakota. Even certain areas of the state that experienced excess rainfall in 2011 suffered from lower... Continue Reading
Small business is the lifeblood of South Dakota communities. Across the state, small businesses sponsor baseball teams, support fine arts fundraisers, contribute to development projects, and make the conscious decision to keep their business in our community to help stimulate our local economies. These business owners often treat their customers... Continue Reading
With the holidays quickly approaching, many travelers are keeping a careful eye on the price of airfare around the country. Rising demand due to the holiday season and higher fuel prices both impact the bottom line of ticket prices. What these budget conscious travelers may not know is that controversial... Continue Reading
