Blogospheric neighbor Ken Santema notices that Rep. Elizabeth May (R-27/Kyle) published the list of legislators who responded to her call for a special session of the Legislature to address education funding. Rep. May was among 14 legislators who feel a special session is worth the effort:
- Sen. Jim Bradford (D-27/Pine Ridge)
- Rep. Chip Campbell (R-35/Rapid City)
- Rep. Lynne DiSanto (R-35/Rapid City)
- Rep. Lana Greenfield (R-2/Doland)
- Sen. Brock Greenfield (R-2/Clark)
- Sen. Phil Jensen (R-33/Rapid City)
- Rep. Dan Kaiser (R-3/Aberdeen)
- Rep. J. Sam Marty (R-28B/Prairie City)
- Rep. Elizabeth May (R-27/Kyle)
- Rep. Steven McCleery (D-1/Sisseton)
- Sen. Betty Olson (R-28/Prairie City)
- Rep. Lance Russell (R-30/Hot Springs)
- Rep. Dean Schrempp (D-28A/Lantry)
- Rep. Jim Stalzer (R-11/Sioux Falls)
25 legislators didn’t bother to respond. That gets Santema’s goat:
I can understand that many of the legislators feel Rep May is wrong, but to not even get the certified letter from a fellow legislator makes me wonder how well those same elected officials are at listening to constituents [Ken Santema, “A Brief Look at the Failed Attempt to Call a Special Session of the SD Legislature,” SoDakLiberty, 2015.08.04].
Santema thinks the Blue Ribbon panel currently urging us all to think positively is “nothing but political theater being used to push a large tax increase” on behalf of the Daugaard Administration.
Too few legislators in Pierre are willing to go against the Executive branch in battles such as this. Perhaps in the 2016 legislative races it will be possible to get a few more representatives in Pierre elected that realize they work for their constituents, and not the executive branch [Santema, 2015.08.04].
As leader of the South Dakota Libertarian Party, perhaps Santema will push that agenda by recruiting Libertarians to run for Legislature and check the executive branch.
Mr. Santema can’t get any Libertarians to run for the legislature. There is no Libertarian Party in South Dakota. First things first.
It’s noteworthy that the only Democrats on the list are from sovereign NDN land. Their education model is so depressed that anything is better than what they have. These areas are the great unpolished gem in an overbearing Conservative system and are showing we liberals the way forward.
Paula Hawks and Rev. Hickey didn’t pick up the certified letter. Hmmmm
Porter, what is “sovereign NDN land”?
Yes, yes, Rohr, 6,936 signatures first. But the SDLP should be using its petition drive to achieve multiple goals:
Out of 6,936 signers, I’ll bet Santema could find ten who’d be willing to run for Legislature with the L label.
Thanks for noting that, Porter! All three of those Dem ayes do have big Indian constituencies, just like May.
Owen: Hickey’s resignation is effective Sept. 1, but I think he’s been traveling out of the country. Hawks was obviously preoccupied this month with preparing her Congressional campaign… but you get me thinking off the track of this post: does announcing for Congress now hurt Hawks’s ability to work with GOP legislators and get things done during the 2016 session? Wismer announced her candidacy for governor mid-session in 2014; Noem announced her 2010 House bid toward the end of the 2010 session. Does coming to Session in full campaign mode change what Hawks can get done for District 9 this coming winter? (And for Democrats in the South Dakota Legislature, does any reduction in utility matter when they are already mostly sidelined, with the exception of occasional sharp maneuvering by Bernie Hunhoff?)
That is hardly up to Rep Hawks whether wingnuts work with her or not,Cory. You already know wingnut’s dim views on women in general and women in the workplace in particular. Might just as well be optimistic like me.
The correlation that 12 of those 14 are the least effective legislatures currently serving is not lost on most.
Mr. Santema has become more sane over the past few weeks, if you have not noticed.
I think I may becoming more sane as well. It is an odd feeling, for a fellow like I.