2 Broadcaster Press August 11, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com Try To Speak Positively About K-12 Task Force, Members Ask Educators BY BOB MERCER STATE CAPITOL BUREAU SIOUX FALLS – Two state legislators who chair the governor’s Blue Ribbon task force on K-12 education said Friday they are optimistic but they asked school board members and school superintendents to be respectful in public about the panel’s work. “If we derail this, it could be a long time before we have another opportunity,” Rep. Jacqueline Sly, R-Rapid City, said during a panel discussion at the joint convention of board members and superintendents. “This is education’s time to shine,” Sen. Deb Soholt, R-Sioux Falls, said. “I would be so sad if we squander this time that’s ahead of us, the next six months.” Soholt and Sly participated in a panel discussion with Becky Guffin, the Aberdeen public schools superintendent, and Eric Stroeder of Mobridge, the new president for the Associated School Boards of South Dakota. All four are task force members. “Do something positive,” Guffin said in response to a question about what she hopes will come from the work. She doesn’t want it to cause fighting. “I hope it’s something we can come to grips with and be positive and move forward,” Guffin said. The task force is looking at many topics such as the supply of teachers, South Dakota’s last-place rank in average teacher salary, the state’s methods of funding public schools and the schools’ methods of educating students. 190 Bills Passed, But More Work Remains BY REP. KRISTI NOEM If you read the headlines, it’s difficult not to get frustrated with what’s happening in our country. Almost every day it seems we open the newspaper or turn on the news or scroll through Facebook to read about a new crisis, more gridlock, or greater dysfunction. It makes you wonder what is going on in this country? That’s how I feel sometimes, anyways. The good news is, however, we aren’t standing idly by. Step by step, we’re getting things done. At this point, we’re just over halfway through the year. Already, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed 190 bills, far more than the historical average of 125 bills by this point. The legislative process these bills have undergone has been more open too. Every perspective has had the opportunity to be debated. In fact, the House of Representatives has considered more than 600 amendments, which is double the historical average. The result has been a Congress that is more effective, with 29 bills being enacted into law this year – once again, well above the historical average of 21. Of course, it’s not all about the numbers. The bills that have become law have been meaningful as well. The Clay Hunt Act aims to prevent veteran suicides, which happen at a rate of about 22 per day, by giving veterans better access to mental health resources. The USA Freedom Act strictly limits the NSA’s bulk data collection. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which I helped author, represents one of the most expansive anti-human trafficking laws this decade. The Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act shifts the focus toward the quality of care, not the quantity. And new trade legislation puts strict oversight and accountability restrictions on the administration’s trade negotiations. Additionally, the House has held dozens of oversight hearings, focusing on everything from the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups to the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi to executive overreach. Together with the Senate, we also passed the first bicameral 10-year balanced budget plan since 2001. Despite several accomplishments, there are still major issues that must be overcome. In the coming weeks, the House will take up legislation that stops the President’s proposed nuclear deal with Iran. While I’m cautiously optimistic we have enough votes to get the legislation through both sides of Congress, we continue to work toward achieving a vetoproof majority that can override the President. Funding for road and bridge repairs expires in October as well, but we have been working on a real, multi-year fix that may include reforms to at least a portion of the tax code. Other tax reforms – known as tax extenders – are also on the agenda for the last half of the year. The House has already passed a number of these so-called extenders, including a permanent fix to Section 179 – a section of the tax code that is important to many South Dakota ag producers. While the House has also pushed forward legislation addressing sanctuary cities, the President’s health care law, and immigration, I am doubtful we can find enough common ground with the administration to make responsible changes. Nonetheless, we’ll keep pushing our ideas forward. I am continuously striving for a more efficient, effective, and accountable government. As part of that, I believe it’s my responsibility to show you what has been accomplished, while admitting to the challenges that lay ahead. There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’re making progress – one step at a time. 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Terms: Cash, Good check, Visa, MasterCard. SD Sales tax applies. Not responsible for accidents. Lunch by Eager Beavers 4-H. See website for many photos. Jim Heinert, who retired as Meade school district’s superintendent in 2011, told the panel Friday that the first problem needing attention is restoration of $50 million that the Legislature cut in state funding for schools in 2011. Stroeder replied that education in South Dakota has been on “a starvation diet” for many years. At another point, he said: “If they’re convinced they’re getting a good product, they’re willing to pay more.” Task force members held a dozen regional meetings in April, May and June. The full group gathered July 7 in Pierre and meets again on Aug. 19. Two more full meetings are scheduled for Sept. 9 and Oct. 1, with a possible meeting Oct. 29. Soholt said Friday the task force aims to issue a report in October so that legislation can be written for the 2016 session that opens in January. The final package probably won’t win approval from legislators until the closing weeks in March. “Don’t expect an early done,” she said. Wade Pogany, the executive director for the school boards group, said there is some cynicism and skepticism about whether the task force can develop changes that will be acceptable, after more than a dozen previous studies and panels in recent decades. Said Guffin, “This time it does feel different.” Soholt asked that people don’t call the task force stupid. “Our goal is not to be disappointing. Our goal is to do something amazing for South Dakota,” she said. Randy & Mary Ellen Cammack Will Represent South Dakota For The 2015-2016 Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Program “History does Conventions. The third repeat itself and gathering is held durwe¹ve learned a ing National Farmers lot over the years Union Convention. which we can The fourth gathering share. And, we still is again the Famhave more to learn ily Session, with the from others,” Mary final gathering held Ellen says. in conjunction with The Cammack’s the Washington, D.C. are third genFly-In. eration ranchers. “We have been so They operate a impressed with the cow/calf operation, quality of the individuFlying C Ranch, als who have completnear Sturgis; with ed the program and I their daughter, think Farmers Union Shelby. Their other and each of their rethree grown chilspective communities dren, Tyler Camand states will benmack, Loni Brown efit from these young and Paige Komes, couples,” said Harley still have cattle Danielson, Farmers Unon the ranch, but ion Enterprise Couples they have lives Leadership Program and careers off the Coordinator. ranch. Following each Farmers Union Farmers Union EnterEnterprise Couples prise Couples LeaderLeadership Proship Program events, IMAGE COURTESY OF S.D. FARMERS UNION Mary Ellen and Randy gram Pictured: Mary Ellen and Randy Cammack Developed to will share what they substantiate and learned with Union doesn¹t mean there isn¹t involved,” Mary Ellen says. empower future leaders for Farmer readers. room for improvement.” Along with South rural America and Farmers To learn more and find Mary Ellen and Randy Dakota, farm couples from Union, the Farmers Union out how you can participate have been involved in Farm- the states of North Dakota, Enterprise Couples Leadin the 2016 Farmers Union ers Union for several years. Montana, Wisconsin and ership Program provides Enterprise Couples LeaderCurrently Mary Ellen Minnesota are also intraining and hands-on ship Program, contact Karla serves as one of three SDFU volved. experiences which enable members to represent Throughout the year, the Hofhenke at khofhenke@ couples to become knowlsdfu.org or 605-352-6761 ext: Farmers Union on the Beef couples involved meet five edgeable leaders. 114. Industry Council. times. The sessions begin “This is the first time “We respect the fact that with a summer family seseither of us have participatFarmers Union continues sion where the 2015 particied in a leadership-focused to focus on supporting pants and their families get program together,” Mary El- family farming and ranching to meet with the 2014 class. len explains. “As producers, operations, as well as caterGet your ad in the.. The second gathering we spend our days working to the social needs and will be held at one of the ing side-by-side, but that well being of the families participating state’s State Classifieds Today! Don’s Dust Control CALL 624-4429 ••• FAX 624-2696 ••• EMAIL classifieds@plaintalk.net ••• ONLINE BroadcasterOnline.com ••• DROP BY 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion • Horse Arenas • Private Drives • Unpaved Roads • Elevator Access • Free Estimates 605-491-2133 Always a higher level of service. 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That’s where it’s helpful to hear from people in the field,” Sly said. “It’s a huge problem we have in our schools when you can’t find teachers to fill those classrooms or you have only one or two to choose from.” Guffin said kids have more choices of careers than in the past. “The problem is very real,” she said about the declining interest in teaching as a profession. “New jobs are created every day. We’re in competition with that,” she said. Raise your expectations. cortrustbank.com • 101 W. Main St. • Vermillion Call Curt for Immediate Consideration 402-678-2201 www.werner-trucking.com