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Pierre, SD (December 5, 2012) – Democratic Appropriations committee members pointed out today that Governor Dennis Daugaard’s budget address failed to mention 107 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions being added to the state payroll, while leaving schools and nursing homes without adequate staff after the 2011 budget cuts.

It’s another clear instance of state government taking care of itself without taking care of its residents first, said Rep. Susan Wismer (D-Britton), who sits on the House appropriations committee. “We learned yesterday that these are good times for South Dakota state government: 40 of the 131 employees cut in Pierre two years ago are being added back for some great causes: drug courts, drivers licensing, highway patrol, corrections and corrections health, parole officers, fire fighters, accountants, plus a PhD program in physics, and maintenance and repair catch-up,” said Wismer. “But those good times aren’t extending to education and Medicaid providers. There’s no catch-up provision for them, as they recover only 3% of the cuts they suffered. They are the ones still stuck with ‘the new normal.’”

Sen. Billie Sutton (D-Burke), who sits on the Senate Appropriations committee, added, “Bringing back these positions is an encouraging sign of recovery, but kids depend on schools for a quality education, and seniors depend on the nursing homes in communities across our state – we simply can’t ask them to carry on with massive budget cuts while state government uses our taxes to expand its payrolls.”

Both lawmakers emphasized the necessity of the positions, noting that the additional workload has been hard on remaining state employees, but stressed that if there’s enough funding to bring the state back to pre-recession levels, there’s enough to help schools and nursing homes get to that level as well.

“The budget is not just pages of abstract numbers and line-items; it fundamentally outlines our priorities as a state,” said Sutton.  “The question is this: do we care more about growing state government, or do we care more about investing in kids and caring for seniors?”

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Pierre, SD (December 4, 2012) – Democratic leaders said the state budget proposed today by Gov. Dennis Daugaard looks out for the interests of state government in Pierre, but it largely ignores the two major problems in our communities and it even threatens to hurt the South Dakota economy.

“Communities across South Dakota are sinking from the state’s budget cuts, and Pierre is hoarding all the lifeboats,” said Democratic House leader Rep. Bernie Hunhoff (D-Yankton). “While our state’s bottom line is booming, Governor Daugaard isn’t tackling the issues facing our people and communities — adequately funding education at the state level, avoiding a shift of education costs to property taxpayers, and making health care affordable and accessible.”

“Uncertainty can’t stop us from tackling South Dakota issues right now”, said Sen. Jason Frerichs (D-Wilmot). “Every day uncertainty stops us from taking action is a day we aren’t making college more affordable, training our kids for open jobs and providing affordable health insurance for everyone,” said Frerichs. “Our tax dollars are fueling state government in Pierre. Let’s put them to work for all South Dakotans right now.”

Hunhoff and Frerichs said their Democratic colleagues’ two main concerns include:

A failure by the Republicans to acknowledge that they caused an educational crisis by slashing K-12 spending by 8.6% in 2011.
The refusal to adopt health care reforms that add coverage for low income adults.
“Republican leaders seem to be taking the stand that the current school spending is a new norm,” Hunhoff said. “Few if any candidates said that during the election, but now that the votes are counted they’re back to the same mindset that if the schools need more money they can go to property taxpayers for it. That’s terrible policy. Some districts don’t have the property wealth to even consider it and home owners are paying more than their share already in all school districts. The state is shirking its responsibility for public education, and it is already costing us in economic development. We aren’t preparing our youth for the job skills they need to compete for open jobs right here in South Dakota.”

Frerichs said health care reform is a moral issue and an economic issue. “We can’t afford to not participate in the Affordable Care Act. We have 48,000 uninsured South Dakotans. Our county governments, community hospitals and clinics are doing all they can to provide emergency care for these folks, which is much more expensive than providing preventative care through Medicaid. Most of them are working in low wage jobs that don’t provide insurance, or they’ve had the misfortune of becoming sick or hurt and they can’t get insurance. These are real people with real stories,” Frerichs said. “It’s a moral issue but it’s also an economic issue. The $200 million provided through the Affordable Care Act will be a bargain for our state, perhaps one of the biggest boons to our economy that we could hope for. The $200 million in new spending means hundreds of new jobs in communities across the state.”

The Democrats said the administrative costs for the $200 million revenue stream to the state will amount to less than $20 million. “We simply can’t afford not to do this,” added Hunhoff. “It’s the right thing to do and it will be an immense boost to our economy in a year when we have a lot of uncertainties.”

Turning the money down, said Frerichs, would be akin to turning down the federal farm program or asking that Ellsworth Air Force Base be closed. “Health care reform is the law of the land. We have a responsibility and an opportunity to make it work for South Dakota. Let’s meet the challenge.”

Hunhoff and Frerichs said the governor will likely find solid bi-partisan support on corrections reforms, investments in workforce training, state park improvements, the Sanford Mine improvements and the addition of a physics program.

Hunhoff and Frerichs said they also hope to find common ground on school funding, health care reform and economic development initiatives in the 2013 session. “We’ll propose some ideas of our own and we’ll critique and amend the Republican proposals, including this budget,” Frerichs said. “We all want the same thing at the end of session, a plan for a better South Dakota.”

Chairman’s Note: Property taxes across South Dakota are increasing for a reason: State government refuses to pay its fair share for the education of your kids. And it’s not because they don’t have the money. Instead of focusing on the basics – better roads, public safety, and stronger schools – Republicans in Pierre are throwing millions towards taxpayer funded giveaways to large corporations. And our tax bills are going up as a result.

Chairman’s Note: If Congresswoman Kristi Noem and House Republicans don’t act before July 1st, student loan rates will double for 34,580 South Dakota students and families, costing students over $1,000. America is sick and tired of the Republican “my way or the highway” approach to governing. This one is simple. Keep education affordable for middle class families. Tell Congresswoman Noem, “Don’t Double My Rate!”

Chairman’s Note: Just as Congresswoman Noem won’t explain why she’s missing work, Noem refuses to buck Washington Republican leadership and support students and recent graduates, like Ryan Rolfs. Ryan’s interest rates on student loans are set to double if the House of Representatives can’t get its act together. There is a clear consensus for student loan rates to stay low. Noem just won’t break away from Washington Republicans to do what’s right for South Dakota students.

Chairman’s Note: Instead of investing in the middle class, Republicans in Washington again protected the low taxes for millionaires and billionaires. The fact is the ultra-wealthy are paying lower taxes than they ever have in modern American history at the same time that investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation that grow our economy are being slashed by Washington Republicans. High taxes on the middle class, low taxes on the ultra-wealthy, and no investments in our future is a recipe for economic disaster. America needs tax fairness. Our middle class depends on it.

“Point to one policy that this president has enacted that has actually worked.” That’s what Rep. Kristi Noem challenged folks to outline on Fox News yesterday with Greta Van Susteren. 

Challenge accepted. Here are just a few Obama policies that are working for Americans everyday.

• Added 4.1 million private sector jobs and seen 25 straight months of job growth. American Recovery Act.
• Rescued American auto industry, saving more than 1 million jobs and preventing the loss of over $96 billion in personal income as a result. Rescue loans to American Auto Industry.
• Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,”ensuring that no one ever again has to lie about who they are to serve the country they love. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010.
• Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, making progress in a decades-long battle for women to get equal pay for equal work. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
• Provided 46 million seniors access to free preventive services like annual wellness visits and health screenings .Affordable Care Act. 
• Closed the Medicare “doughnut hole,” saving the average senior approximately $4,200 over the next 10 years. Affordable Care Act. 
• Extended more benefits to National Guard members who have performed active service and allow education benefits to be transferred to family members. Post 9/11 GI Bill.
• Brought the war in Iraq to a responsible end. For the first time in nine years, there are no American troops fighting in Iraq.
• Doubled funding for Pell grants, making college more affordable for 9 million students a year.
  
• Established new fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks will nearly double fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, saving American families an estimated $1.7 trillion at the pump.

The policies and their effects are pretty obvious. So either Noem is lying about Obama’s policies that work or she doesn’t see these policies as successes. Either case shows an extreme lack of attention that the issues of our day deserve.

Here’s some advice for Noem: take some time away from high dollar lobbyist fundraisers and Fox News appearances to learn the issues. It’s hard enough when smart legislators make bad decisions. It’s worse when oblivious representatives make terrible ones.

Chairman’s Note: At the end of the 2012 legislative session, Governor Daugaard rammed through House Bill (HB) 1234 - his controversial education agenda – in spite of consistent opposition to the legislation from teachers, parents, students, and even many Republican legislators from across South Dakota. I’m proud to announce now that our State Central Committee has unanimously endorsed the effort to refer HB 1234 to the 2012 general election. The future of our children’s education is at stake. Get your petition packet, and start gathering signatures from your friends and neighbors today!

Sioux Falls School Board President Kent Alberty announced Tuesday his intention to seek election to the South Dakota State Senate representing District 12. The life-long Sioux Falls resident has filed petitions to run as a member of the Democratic Party.

Alberty, 58, is a successful small business owner and has devoted more than two decades to community and public service. He said he will provide the independent, common-sense voice the citizens of District 12 deserve.

“I’m committed to the people of District 12 – to my friends and neighbors who believe they aren’t being represented in Pierre,” Alberty said. “I will lean on my experiences in education, economic development and community service to fight for South Dakotans.”

Alberty and his wife, Luanne, have been married for 37 years. Together, they own and operate Employment Edge Staffing and Business Services, a small business they started in 2005. They have raised three children from their home in Sioux Falls.

Alberty was elected to the Sioux Falls School Board in 2007 and has served three years as school board president. He also devoted more than 20 years to service on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Care Hospital and School and dedicated much of his free time to organizations that support area youth. His passion for education and commitment to advocating for children continues to drive his desire for public service.

“There’s nothing more important to South Dakotans than making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed,” Alberty said. “I’ve made that a focus of my life, and that will continue to be my focus in the South Dakota Senate.”

For more information, please contact Ben Nesselhuf at 605-271-5405 or ben@sddp.org