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Speaker Gosch Wastes Calendar Space with Hoghouse Resolution on “Integrity of South Dakota”

By Cory Allen Heidelberger on 2022-02-25

Hoghouse bills are one thing, but hoghouse resolutions?

Alongside Representative John Mills’s (R-4/Volga) well-thought-out and detailed House Resolution 7004, which condemns Governor Kristi Noem’s nepotism on behalf of her failed appraiser daughter, Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch yesterday filed House Resolution 7003, which says… nothing. Here’s the full text of Gosch’s placeholder:

A RESOLUTION, For the integrity of South Dakota.

WHEREAS, the integrity of South Dakota must be safeguarded:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that action be taken to protect the integrity of South Dakota [HR 7003, filed 2022.02.24].

It’s questionable enough that we let legislators float carcass bills to beat submission deadlines while they are still working details for complicated policy issues. But with lots of bills and a budget left to work out in just nine working days (not counting Veto Day, when we really ought not be counting on introducing any new proposals), the Speaker of the House, whose job includes diligently protecting the House’s valuable time, should not be cluttering the calendar with impotent debating society distractions that he either hasn’t thought fully through or isn’t willing to share openly with his colleagues and the public.

Speaker Gosch, if there’s a threat to the integrity of the state, you should tell us about it. If the threat is real, you and your colleagues should take action, not just with a one-chamber resolution, but a full bill that would really take action.

Published in South Dakota

6 Comments

  1. Loren 2022-02-25 07:53

    Yes, we have to maintain our “integrity” by ensuring each person is using the correct bathroom. The nation looks to us for leadership on these issues. /s

  2. sx123 2022-02-25 08:02

    A RESOLUTION, For the Tegridy Farms of South Dakota…

  3. mike from iowa 2022-02-25 09:51

    WHEREAS, the integrity of South Dakota must be safeguarded: Impeach all magats. Mission accomplished.

  5. DaveFN 2022-02-25 12:04

    Is this resolution a deliberate parody of Rep. John Mills’ House Resolution 7004? ““To me, integrity is really important,” Mills said when asked why he brought the resolution.”

    Or is Speaker Gosch merely playing monkey see, monkey do?

  6. tara volesky 2022-02-25 22:22

    Instead of a resolution, how about a special prosecutor?

Comments are closed.