At the legislative crackerbarrel meeting in Rapid City today, a question was asked about the proposed gas tax increase. Rep. Mike Verchio, Rep. Lance Russell and Rep. Chip Campbell discussed the increase and the additional burden on taxpayers from several angles.

A legislative crackerbarrel was held in Rapid City this morning featuring several Black Hills area legislators. The event was held at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and was sponsored by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce. Presentations were given by a few of the legislators, then questions were taken from the audience.

Who are the enemies of America? What is the difference between the godless and the modern unconverted church member? There isn’t one. If America goes down, it will go down in history as the nation that allowed the destroyers to do what they do, and that, at will. The men that have destroyed the West are those that stood down and did nothing.

Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Ted Cruz of Texas and Congressman Luke Messer of Indiana have introduced a bill that could produce positive, badly needed change in American K-12 education. The bill allows for Title 1 education funds “to follow low-income students to any public or private school of their choice.”

Sometimes it feels as if we Christians are being scapegoated and ultimately driven unto the fringes of society. I am of no greater worth than my neighbor - no matter how he identifies himself. This trumped-up emphasis on sexual identity is way overblown. We are not what we desire, but rather, we are what we embrace.

It’s scheduled to be a busy day in the South Dakota Legislature today. Between the various committees, as well as the state House and Senate bodies, the legislature will be looking at bills dealing with concealed carry of a firearm, breastfeeding, Article V conventions, making it easier for convicted felons to vote, sex offender regulations, abortion reporting regulations, domestic abuse law, and health care sharing arrangements.

The “Republican” supermajority South Dakota Senate voted 34-0 today of SCR 4, calling on congress to support “equity and sales tax fairness.” The text of the bill makes it clear that it targets internet sales when it talks about “remote sellers that have no physical presence in the taxing state.”

The South Dakota House of Representatives voted 56-14 in favor of HCR 1005, a resolution calling on congress to propose a “regulation freedom amendment” to the U.S. Constitution due to the encroachment of liberty perpetrated by our nation’s out-of-control regulatory environment. A key provision of the resolution calls for a majority vote by congress on any federal regulation that one-quarter of the members of congress oppose.

The South Dakota House voted to pass HCR 1004 today, a resolution affirming the personhood of unborn children and calling for the overturn of the Roe v. Wade decision that “legalized” abortion on demand in the United States by judicial fiat.

The South Dakota Senate voted today in favor of HCR 1003, calling on the president and congress to abolish the unconstitutional U.S. Department of Education. The SD Senate joins the SD House in support of the bill. The bill has no force of law, but is a statement of opinion, urging action by our federal elected leaders.