In urgent matters of state, House Majority Leader Will Mortenson (R-24/Fort Pierre) proposes House Bill 1011, which would add two legislators to the Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission. That august body, charged by law with the enlargement (!) and beautification of the Capitol Complex, currently consists of the mayor of Pierre plus seven members appointed to four-year terms by the Governor. Current law requires that not all appointees be of the same political party, so Governor Kristi Noem has appointed one registered Democrat, hands-on restorateur and former Chief Justice David Gilbertson.
Representative Mortenson’s HB 1011 would inflate the commission by 25%, adding a Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House and a Senator appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore. The legislator-members would be limited to two-year terms aligned with their Legislative terms. HB 1011 leaves alone the minimum partisan mix for gubernatorial appointees but says nothing about the party affiliation of the Legislative members, meaning the ratio of Republicans to non-Republicans on the CCRBC will likely go from 7 to 1 to 9 to 1.
Legislators appointed to the CCRBC would get a per diem and expenses for commission meetings just like the other members. The added expense to the state might not exceed three digits. The CCRBC met twice in 2023; two new members attending two meetings a year, each driving 300 miles and getting a full day’s meals would only rack up $772 in expenses. The cost will be much less if Speaker Bartels appoints HB 1011’s progenitor to the commission—heck, Will could ride his bike to the meeting! Senator Schoenbeck could do us the further fiscal favor of appointing Senator Jim Mehlhaff (R-24/Pierre).
But once again, Republicans in Pierre are working hard to make government bigger.
This is bad. This is really bad. 2 is 25% more than 8, but 8 is 20% less than 10.
This commission should be abolished.
Merry Christmas Scrooge Grudznik!
I feasted on gravy taters for Holiday Breakfast, Mr. Kloucek, and some delightful sausages and fancy pastries which were not those dry kolache things from your neck of the woods. Tonight they will pick up up to take me to heavy feasting with foods of all sorts, no doubt including turkey meat and mashed potatoes with all the gravy a fellow could want to slather over it. The succulent roast turkey, glazed ham, and a myriad of decadent sides beckon with promises of gastronomic bliss. As plates are piled high with velvety mashed potatoes, buttery rolls, and rich gravy, each bite becomes a symphony of flavors that dance on the taste buds and slake my holiday hunger. Some people may sing, but grudznick will not participate in those songs, anymore than I participate in the Halloween singings over imaginary beings, plus I will be elbow deep into a pumpkin pie by that point, and will recline in a lounger and the children tear into their gifts, purchased with rampant capitalistic gains from the hard working parents.
Have an effective Holiday Season, Mr. Kloucek, as you consider running for the legislatures again. They could use some more fellows like you.
There are only two types of people in this world: Those who have met Frank Kloucek and those who have not yet met Frank Kloucek.
Frank, u da MAN!
Holy smokes Grudz, did you write that all by your ownself or
did you cheat like P. and use AI?
(Trying to keep it a bit light hearted since it is Christmas.)
Most of the members of the commission are from Pierre or Fort Pierre, so any costs of mileage and overnight stays aren’t much of an issue. They met twice last year, which is the minimum required under the statutes controlling how the commission operates. It is a good idea in for state and local folks to coordinate for growth and change, and this commission gives people a chance to do that.
I lived in Pierre for seven years and never knew about this commission. I always had a concern about how Hilger’s Gulch could have been developed into a great natural area. I understand there was discussion during Daugaard’s administration over restoring some natural areas in the Gulch. I think they did do something, but not sure how it turned out.