Kirkeby hands Chairmanship gavel over to Democratic Representative Jason Frerichs
From my mailbox:
Today at the start of our House Local Government Committee, Chairman, Mark Kirkeby from Rapid City unexpectedly turned the gavel over to me. I Chaired the Committee meeting where we discussed possible summer studies for the Legislature. We approved a recommendation for a Wind Energy summer study. This recommendation is sent to the Legislative Research Council Executive Board who will select the summer studies.
Rep. Kirkeby has always been very fair to me, and he makes every effort to be nonpartisan.
During the committee, Rep. Bolin reminded us of the few times that House Democrats have been able to Chair committees.
In our Democrat caucus, Rep. Hunhoff said it has been probably 12 years since any Democrat chaired a committee, which was when the Democrats led the Senate.
You can click on this link for minutes of the 3/10/09 House Local Government Committee. You can also listen to the audio if you click on the Public TV logo.
I sure enjoyed the experience, and I think this is a good sign from Pierre!
Representative Frerichs sent me this note, as he appreciates the show of courtesy by Representative Mark Kirkeby.
You know Jason, if you change parties, you might be able to enjoy this more often 
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Comments
I don’t know Rep Kirkeby, but Jason is a buddy. Jason, next time I am out to your place I’ll bring a chaneg of registration form – I am sure we can cut a deal to get that gavel in your hand more often (if we need to meet at Stan’s bar to sign the form – that’s ok too 
)
PS for you non-Whetstone Valley folks, that would be Stan the bar owner (of “see it opened before you drink out of it” fame) not the state senator!
That’s a nice gesture.
And my gosh – I haven’t been to Pierre this year, but is that their new committee room? That is a big improvement on the old rooms!
Good for Kirkeby. It was very nice of him to offer this opportunity to Jason. I was 25 years old when such an opportunity was first extended to me (by then-Senator Bob Drake), and I can assure you, it was a rush!
I would note that Senator Apa used to pass the gavel to others from time to time, and if I’m not mistaken, Senator Julie Bartling was the last democrat before this to chair an appropriations committee hearing.
Good for Kirkeby. It was very nice of him to offer this opportunity to Jason. I was 25 years old when such an opportunity was first extended to me (by then-Senator Bob Drake), and I can assure you, it was a rush!
I would note that Senator Apa used to pass the gavel to others from time to time, and if I’m not mistaken, Senator Julie Bartling was the last democrat before this to chair an appropriations committee hearing.
Congrats to Jason!
Thanks Nick, Lee, and Brock for the nice comments! It is quite a rush to hold the gavel, and also have some fun.
Yes, the Whetstone Valley of South Dakota is an amazing area to live!
Sorry Pat, I don’t have any plans to change party’s. Pierre needs a two party system restored!
Way to go Jason.
In 1996 there was a measure dealing with tourism that I knew both Speaker Harvey Krautschun and Speaker Pro Tempore Rex Hagg would want to speak on. I went up to the Speakers chair and jokingly told Rep. Krautschun I’d preside so both he and Rep. Hagg could speak to the measure. To my surprize he handed me the gavel. Funny thing was someone called the question before either one had a chance to speak, and they let still me preside for the next several bills on the calendar.