GOP LAWMAKER BLASTED OVER BILL TO DEFUND HURON SCHOOLS
PIERRE, S.D. – A West River lawmaker’s proposal to defund the Huron School District has sparked widespread backlash at the South Dakota State Capitol.
His one-sentence House Bill 1224 would have prohibited the state from sending general fund aid to the district. Jensen says it came about because of a message he got from a parent in the district about biological boys using girls’ restrooms in the schools.
Jensen, a Rapid City Republican, withdrew the bill after facing intense criticism.
“It was to get the school district’s attention,” Jensen said.
Jensen’s decision to pull the bill came after meeting with House leadership and agreeing to step down as vice-chair of the House Education Committee.
“I think (stepping down) is necessary to placate those who are extremely upset with my bill,” Jensen continued.
Rep. Lana Greenfield, who represents District 22, which includes Huron, voiced disappointment in Jensen’s actions.
“He tried to put in a substitute motion on one of our last bills and I did not entertain that at all,” Greenfield said. “The district of Huron is owed an apology.”
Sen. David Wheeler, a Huron graduate, joined the chorus of condemnation, calling Huron “a great town” and “the best school district in the state.”
REFUGEE REPORT, NOT PUBLISHED SINCE 2020, COULD RETURN TO SOUTH DAKOTA
PIERRE, S.D. -A report about the settlement of out-of-country immigrants to South Dakota could become public information again.
Rep. Julie Auch and Sen. Taffy Howard’s House Bill 1106 would bring back a state law that was phased out in 2020 requiring any “resettlement agencies” doing business in the state to draft a report for the governor and the Legislature detailing programs, services and other resources they have implemented in support of refugee resettlement. It must also include the number of refugees that the entity anticipates will arrive and receive resettlement services by or through the agency during a given fiscal year.
It’s modeled after similar legislation from 2017, brought by former Sen. and now School and Public Lands Commissioner Brock Greenfield that had the same goal. However, Greenfield’s bill was passed with a “sunset clause” attached to it, meaning it went away after three years.
Auch and Howard want the report to remain in place indefinitely, balking at a question about the idea of adding a sunset clause to their measure.
“The information is already out there and can be readily made available to us,” Howard told the House State Affairs Committee Wednesday. “We are very fortunate to welcome refugees into our state, they enrich our communities.”
Organizations like Lutheran Social Services (LSS) in Sioux Falls and West River Resettlement in Rapid City are at least two of those in the Rushmore State that have worked to help move immigrants into South Dakota communities. Attention on the mission of resettlement organizations has become scrutinized over the last several years, particularly during the 2024 presidential campaign. In communities across the country, influxes of immigration to the United State have led to anxiety about how large increases in immigrant populations could cause delays in the delivery of crucial public services — like health care and education.
And though neither of the two South Dakota organizations involved in resettlement, nor anyone else, showed up Wednesday morning to testify against the bill — LSS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the South Dakota Broadcasters Association (SDBA)— some members of the committee raised concerns that the legislation would be directly targeting LSS.
“The governor and agencies of state government get real time data on this,” said Rep. Tim Reisch, a former cabinet secretary. “They know how many people are applying for services through the Department of Social Services… This would be just another report that would get put on our desk.”
Rep. Greg Jamison, a former Sioux Falls city councilor, noted that during his previous service to the city, it proved difficult to get this information when the council would look into providing support to organizations like LSS. Meanwhile, Democrat Erin Healy worried that the report could feed into anti-immigrant sentiments.
“This report could be misinterpreted or weaponized,” Healy said. “(Especially) during these very difficult and trying times.”
On its way to a 10-2 vote to pass the measure to the floor, House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach defended it as a step towards more transparency.
“I think it’s needed… It is a big public policy issue at the front of a lot of people’s minds. We need to know what is happening in our state with this issue, and I will be looking forward to reading it.”
If the bill is signed into law, the report would have to be submitted to both the executive and legislative branches no later than Oct. 1 of each year.
FORMER PRISON EMPLOYEE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL CONTACT WITH PRISON INMATE
TYNDALL, S.D. – A former state prison employee has been sentenced to 90 days in prison after earlier pleading guilty to one count of a Prohibited Sexual Act Between a Prison Employee and Prisoner.
36 year Cassandra Jelsma was sentenced Tuesday in Bon Homme County Circuit Court. She also received a sentence of two years in prison, which was suspended.
“This behavior is unacceptable and reflects poorly on the vast majority of good employees who work in our correctional facilities,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley.
The incident happened between Nov. 1, 2022, and June 22, 2023, with an inmate at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. The defendant was a prison employee at the time.
South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the South Dakota Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SAYS NO TO STATE LIBRARY CUTS
PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) – State library cuts face strong opposition despite The South Dakota Education Secretary’s push for efficiency in today’s (Wednesday’s) House Education Committee hearing.
The committee voted 13-0 to send House Bill 1041 to Joint Appropriations with a “do not pass” recommendation. The measure would eliminate the State Library Board and reduce services, saving $1.3 million in state funds and $2.4 million in federal authority.
“The purpose of this bill is to make it consistent with the reduced spending in this area,” said Education Secretary Joe Graves. “These budget cuts are part of the overall process of providing the people of South Dakota a balanced budget.”
However, a line of opponents spoke against the proposal.
“From a city like Harrisburg that’s growing like we are, we have a $7 million budget. And $350,000 of that goes just to our library,” said Harrisburg City Council Chair Kevin Maxwell. “Passing this would make it very difficult for us to provide those resources.”
“When I was really young, I enjoyed the Commodore 64 computer to take home. But here we are today using those resources to move into college, ACT, SAT, are just so important for our kids,” testified Sarah Jones-Lutter, the Redfield Carnegie Library director.
“You don’t propose cutting the state library or even South Dakota public broadcasting and instead propose new ongoing programs,” said Rep. Mike Stevens. “The Department of Education has proposed a $4 million new program ongoing.”
The bill would transfer state publication duties to the State Historical Society while maintaining some core services like Braille and talking book programs.
The measure now moves to Joint Appropriations for further consideration.
HOUSE COMMITTEE NARROWLY PASSES BILL REQUIRING SCHOOL BOND ISSUES TO BE HELD DURING PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTIONS
PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) – School bond election timing sparks debate as the House Education Committee advances a measure restricting voting dates.
The House Education Committee approved House Bill 1093 on an 8-7 vote today (Wednesday). The bill requires school districts to hold bond elections only during primary or general elections.
Supporters tout increased voter participation, while opponents cite potentially costly financing delays.
“We’re looking at voter turnout and saving money when it comes to lining up the elections,” said Rep. Aaron Aylward, R-Harrisburg. He cited recent bond voter turnouts ranging from 4% to 57%.
School administrators oppose the restrictions.
“By delaying a vote and passage of the bonds, it could cost school districts significant amounts of money,” said School Administrators of South Dakota Executive Director Rob Monson.
Tea Area School District Superintendent Jennifer Lowry warns the bill hurts growing districts.
“Please don’t limit local officials’ ability to adapt, change, and meet the needs of their local schools and communities,” said Lowry.
The bill moves to the full House for further consideration.
