South Dakota

Amendment H could change primary election system in South Dakota come November

Published

12 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Amendment H could change primary election system in South Dakota come November

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – With the general election only 20 days away, South Dakota voters have several amendments to vote on, including one that could change the primary election system in the Mount Rushmore state.

If “Amendment H” passes in November, it would remove partisan-primaries and replace them with top-two primary elections for state legislative and executive, county and congressional offices. As it stands, major party candidates have to participate in a partisan-primary election to appear on a general election ballot. A candidate’s party members can only vote for that candidate, except in the case when that party opens the primary to voters, who are not in the party.

”It might give this idea that the parties aren’t necessary, and maybe they aren’t. Maybe there’s an argument to go in that direction. I don’t believe that, but I can see people maybe considering that,” the Democratic Candidate for South Dakota State Senate District 30, Bret Swanson, said.

Another candidate for State Senate District 30 does feel “Amendment H” could be a problem for the state as well if it passes.

”I think South Dakotans deserve to choose their own party nominees without interference from those who don’t share their political values. Our open primary, if open primaries were instituted, outsiders would influence our local decisions, and they already are with how much ballot initiatives we have this year,” the Republican Candidate for South Dakota State Senate District 30, Amber Hulse, said.

If it passes in November, ”Amendment H” would establish one “South Dakota Primary”. Every candidate from each party would be placed on one-primary ballot. The top two candidates with the most votes will move on to the general election.

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South Dakota

Pierre school superintendent says repealing state tax on most things humans consume would criple public education in South Dakota, anticipates budget cuts would start with staff

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2024

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Pierre school superintendent says repealing state tax on most things humans consume would criple public education in South Dakota, anticipates budget cuts would start with staff | DRGNews

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South Dakota

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds talks on where the Farm Bill is now

Published

20 hours ago

October 16, 2024

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South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds talks on where the Farm Bill is now

YANKTON, S.D. (KTIV) – The Farm Bill is usually done every five years, but we are already in year six.

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds believes they are getting close to finishing, but there are a few things that still need to be worked out.

“We think that the farm bill basically ready to go there’s a $20 billion difference between what Republicans in the Senate want to do and what Democrats in the Senate want to do,” said the Republican senator. “A lot of it is going to hinge on what the election outcome is going to be as to whether they try to renegotiate the bill before the end of the year or if they wait after the new year and new makeup of the legislative in Washington.”

Rounds believe they should get it done this year.

“It would be better if we get it this year put it in get it passed and actually have something completed for the next five years rather than waiting for another year with the questions that people have about upgrades in terms of commodity price support and so forth,” said Rounds.

For more information on the Farm Bill, you can visit the link here.

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South Dakota

Jackley appears in North Dakota court for DACA lawsuit

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2024

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Jackley appears in North Dakota court for DACA lawsuit

BISMARK, N.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley argued in federal court on Tuesday against a proposed DACA rule regarding healthcare.

The attorney generals for 19 states, including Jackley, filed a lawsuit in August against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services over the final rule that would make Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA recipients, eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

“The burdens fall on the States when Washington fails to address illegal immigration and secure our Southern Border,” said Jackley in a statement after the court arguments. “It has affected the public health and safety with the flow of meth and fentanyl from the Southern Border into our States. The financial burden of this proposed DACA rule for South Dakota families is real, ranging between $26 million to $35 million per year.”

The final rule is scheduled to go into effect on November 1 and the states asked presiding judge Daniel Traynor for a stay, which he took under advisement.

The U.S. argued the states have provided no evidence of the rule’s high cost to the states and taxpayers.

In addition to South Dakota, Kansas, and North Dakota, other Attorney Generals who joined this suit are from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

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