Casey Crabtree Weekly Wrap up

As the South Dakota Legislature resumes again this week, Senate Majority Leader from District 8, Casey Crabtree gives us a review of last week and discusses some of the major items being dealt with which involve, health care, education, public safety and the economy.  

On Monday, the Senate approved the plan to incentivize gas stations to offer consumers a choice to fuel up with E15. 

Another item was SJR 501 which was moved out of committee and out of the full Senate. This resolution will ask voters in the November general election if the state’s Medicaid program should have the option to consider a work requirement to receive those benefits. 

The Senate also passed SJR 502 which would give legislative approval for a future use water permit application by the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. Crabtree says,this project is critical to the sustainability and vitality of our region, especially here in Madison where construction is coming close to conclusion.

It was also an important week in the Capitol for two of South Dakota’s institutions–Dakota State University and South Dakota State University. Both presented their annual budget requests to the Appropriations Committee that sets the state’s budget. DSU also earned an early victory with unanimous committee approval of its new Quantum Computing program. 

The Legislature resumes today on day 13 of 35 cheduled days.