South Dakota Democrat and Republican representatives speak in Pierre

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - South Dakota Democrat and Republican representatives speak in Pierre at the Legislative Session Press Conference.

South Dakota Democratic Representatives

The Democratic representatives discussed clarifying the permissible uses of the state’s airplane- making it abundantly clear that the airplane should be used only by state employees and for matters relating to their job.

The Democratic representatives also expressed their disappointment with the joint resolution on Medicaid, claiming the work requirement is a side step on the language voters agreed to in November- which stated the vote would make Medicaid more accessible and would not impose more restrictions.

The Democrats also expressed their concern with HB1080, saying it is an attack on the LGBTQ+ population and that the decision was not based on evidence or science.

The Democrats agree that waving the fees for low-income people to get a state ID is a step in the right direction since it would lend a hand to the homeless population and those in need, allowing them to get a bank account and enter the workforce.

Democrats are also working on menstrual equality, working to eliminate taxes on menstrual hygiene products. Democrats have also been on board with eliminating the state sales tax on groceries since access to food is a basic need. Eliminating those taxes would help the economically disparaged.

Republicans

Republicans said they are not going to be hasty with tax-cutting decisions. They would like the tax cuts to be permanent and stable. They’re moving on to state two- and are now in the appropriations committee.

The Republican representatives also said they are preparing for a high-stress meeting on Monday, as the carbon pipeline companies are looking to boost the state’s ethanol supply and exercise their eminent domain rights over farmers. The farmers who would lose land would not benefit from this, and the complex issue will have to be discussed.

As for HB1080, republicans said there were varying perspectives from medical professionals, which made the decision difficult to make.

Republicans say they want to get more people back into the workforce, and they are on board with allowing people with a criminal past to get licensing.

South Dakotan republicans said they agree with Gov. Noem’s move to keep South Dakota agricultural land within the hands of South Dakotans.

Republicans caution that the tax cuts in the discussion would be withdrawn from the general fund.

Republicans also briefly touched on the Committee on Discipline and Expulsion’s recent events- saying they tried to work efficiently to resolve the staffing issue with Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller (R-Rapid City), which the South Dakota Senate voted 33-1 to reinstate and censure her.

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