Rounds, Smith and Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Plan to Invest in Rural Public Transit

Rounds, Smith and Baldwin Introduce Bipartisan Plan to Invest in Rural Public Transit

Legislation Would Increase Federal Contribution for Certain Rural Transit Projects

 

PIERRE—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to improve public transportation in certain rural communities across the country. The Investments in Rural Transit Act would increase the federal contribution for operating assistance in rural areas with high transit dependency.

“Rural transit plays an important role in the lives of many South Dakotans,” said Rounds. “For those who don’t own a car or cannot drive, rural transit provides a way to get to work, attend medical appointments and visit friends and family. As a large, rural state, our transit operators often have to drive long distances. Our legislation would allow transit operators in extreme need to receive a higher federal share of operating assistance so they can continue to provide necessary services to residents.”

“High-quality, reliable public transit systems are important for Minnesotans who count on them to get to work, school, the doctor and more,” said Smith. “This legislation will support rural public transit in communities that need it most. Thanks to the public transit workers in Minnesota for all that you do for our community. Please stay safe and healthy.”

“In Wisconsin and across the country, limited public transportation options in our rural communities can often be a significant barrier for folks getting to work, going to the store, seeing the doctor, and more,” said Baldwin. “Reliable transit needs support now more than ever, and our bipartisan legislation is about investing in innovative and efficient public transportation so workers and families in our rural communities can get to job hubs, health care services and other important destinations, and keep our Made in Wisconsin economy moving forward.”

The Federal Transit Administration provides grants to support rural public transportation, but it can be difficult for certain rural communities to provide the necessary local contribution to qualify for assistance.

The Investments in Rural Transit Act would increase the federal share to eighty percent for operating assistance in certain areas with high transit dependency. For a transit project to qualify, it must serve a county that meets one of the following criteria:

  1. An “area of persistent poverty,” defined by the Census as a county in which at least 20 percent of the population has lived in poverty during the most recent 30-year period.
  2. A county with many older Americans, where at least 25 percent of residents are over the age of sixty five.
  3. A county with healthcare shortages, defined as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).
  4. A county with low population density, defined as having no more than 20 people per square mile, based on Census data.

You can read a summary of the bill here.

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Governor Kristi Noem honored by USA today as one of South Dakota’s most influential women of the century!

From the Republican Governor’s Association, the RGA noted Governor Kristi Noem’s recognition of being one of the most influential South Dakota women of the century by USA Today:

Governor Kristi Noem’s lasting impact on the Mount Rushmore State earned her a spot as one of ten women honored from South Dakota in the USA TODAY Network’s “Women of the Century” list unveiled this month to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

Governor Noem is widely recognized as a trailblazer, and her election as the first woman governor of South Dakota is just one part of her inspiring story.

and…

Governor Noem is also an innovative policymaker, advancing initiatives to promote responsible spending, minimal taxes and regulations, personal responsibility, and rural America. From her UpSkill program linking workers displaced by COVID-19 to high-demand jobs, to her Connect South Dakota initiative delivering on her campaign promise to expand broadband access, Governor Noem has played a significant role in the fight for a better quality of life for all South Dakotans.

Read the entire story here.

AG Appoints USD Law School Dean Neil Fulton to Law Enforcement Officers Standards & Training Commission

ATTORNEY GENERAL JASON RAVNSBORG APPOINTS DEAN NEIL FULTON TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMISSION

 

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg announced today the appointment of Neil Fulton, Dean of the USD Knudson School of Law, to the Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission. With this 2-year appointment the commissioner Fulton replaces, Jo Vitek of Watertown and keeps the commission with a full slate of 11 members.

“I am pleased to welcome Dean Fulton to the table for the Standards and Training Commission,” said Ravnsborg. “I believe his thoughtfulness and insight will be a tremendous asset to the Commission and will help ensure we are properly prepared to handle the issues that arise.”

Fulton is a native of Miller, SD, with a B.A. in Political Science earned at Yale University in 1994, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota School of Law earned in 1997.

Fulton has served as a Federal Public Defender, as Chief of Staff for Governor Mike Rounds, and has been active with the South Dakota State Bar, including time spent as chair of the Ethics Committee.

“I want to extend my appreciation and thanks to Jo Vitek for her years of service to not only law enforcement, but also the people of South Dakota,” continued Ravnsborg. “I know her commitment to law enforcement and higher education in our state will be continued by Dean Fulton in this important position.”

 

The South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission is an 11-person commission. Eight of the commissioners are appointed by the Attorney General. They represent the South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Sheriff’s Offices, Police Departments, the State Bar Association, institutes of higher education, the Municipal League, County Commissioners and an enrolled tribal member who is a certified law enforcement officer. The other three commissioners are the Chief Agent from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, a regional Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent, and the Attorney General. The Commission sets the training standards and certification process for the South Dakota law enforcement community.

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US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column: Here to Take Your Call

Here to Take Your Call
By Sen. John Thune

This year has been full of unexpected and unprecedented experiences. A global pandemic will do that, as we’ve all come to learn. And while the hardworking, common-sense people of South Dakota have been an example of how to respond to a national crisis like this one, by striking a balance between public safety and personal freedom and responsibility, we, too, have seen our day-to-day lives affected by this ongoing outbreak.

In March, after Congress responded to this crisis by passing a massive relief bill that provided funding for personal protective equipment for frontline medical personnel, vaccine and treatment development, direct relief payments to American citizens, and forgivable loans for small businesses, the reality really started to set in. America hadn’t seen a public health crisis like this in more than 100 years, and given today’s global and interconnected economy, we found ourselves in completely uncharted territory.

While I knew our state and local communities would face uncertain times in the days, weeks, and months ahead, I had one message for my team throughout South Dakota and in Washington, D.C. While I knew they, too, and their families were experiencing the same risks and set of unknowns as everyone else, I didn’t want the people of South Dakota to feel an ounce of difference when they reached out to my office for help.

My team didn’t skip a beat, which will come as no surprise to those who’ve had the opportunity to work with them over the years. They went right to work and have helped me every step of the way to continue providing the same level of service and professionalism the people of South Dakota have grown to expect during the best of times, let alone in the middle of a national crisis like this one. Phone calls were answered; letters and emails were opened, read, and responded to; constituent casework continued to be addressed; and South Dakotans’ feedback was delivered to my colleagues in Washington.

Our country certainly knows more about this invisible enemy today than we did in March and April, and we’re better equipped in terms of our response. While I wish we could just go back to the way things were before this virus was unleashed, we’re making significant progress on the road to recovery. Public safety must continue to be the nation’s top priority as we all continue to deal with this outbreak, which will help America return to normal as soon as possible.

South Dakotans are resilient people, as if anyone had ever doubted it. They take obstacles head on and deal with them the best way they can. Whether it’s severe weather, a tough agriculture economy, or a global pandemic, persevering is the only option we know. It’s humbling to be part of this community, and if there’s anything I can ever do to help, whether it’s responding to the COIVD crisis or dealing with an issue you’re having with the federal government, my team and I are here to answer your call.

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US Senator Mike Rounds’ Weekly Column: Letter to Students, Parents and Teachers

Weekly Column: Letter to Students, Parents and Teachers
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Dear Students, Parents and Teachers:

The longest summer break you will ever experience is almost over. Life has been different for all of us since COVID-19 hit our communities in March. Kids moved from learning in classrooms to learning online from home. Winter sports abruptly came to an end and spring sports seasons were canceled entirely. Graduation ceremonies looked a little different. But we all weathering the storm together.

In South Dakota, we’ve used common sense to fight this virus. We are fortunate to live in a large, rural state where we’re naturally more spread out and “socially distant” than those living in many other states. We’ve kept our distance, used hand sanitizer and worn masks when it made sense. With students, teachers and parents eager to have kids back in the classroom, now is not the time to let up. Now is the time to double down.

I was chatting with a friend this week who lives out in Rapid City. He and his wife sat down and made the difficult decision to isolate from their grandchildren, for their health, when they head back to school in a couple weeks. Tough decisions like this weigh heavy on grandkids and on my friend, the grandpa.

It’s important that we all take COVID-19 seriously. There’s an incorrect idea out there that this virus is just like the flu we battle every year – it’s not. Until we get a vaccine, we’ve got to be careful. If we’re not cautious, this virus can do a lot of damage in a short period of time.

Where I live in Ft. Pierre, we have rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are dangerous and found all across West River. One bite from even the smallest of rattlers can be a real problem. But that doesn’t stop our farmers and ranchers in Western South Dakota. Every day, they work hard to raise their crops and cattle while avoiding encountering a life threatening situation. In South Dakota fear doesn’t keep us confined. But rather, common sense keeps us safe.

As we prepare to head back to school this fall, we should all learn a lesson from our farmers and ranchers as we deal with the rattlesnake that is COVID-19. The days and weeks ahead are critical. We must remain resilient and continue using South Dakota common sense if we want to cheer on our local teams this fall or watch our graduates walk across the stage in the spring.

Education is all about learning and this pandemic has taught us a lot about ourselves. We come from tough stock. We’re resilient people.

It’s time to get back to school.  But, we need to do it safely.

Mike Rounds

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Congressman Dusty Johnson’s Weekly Column: From Farm to the Family Table

From Farm to the Family Table
By Rep. Dusty Johnson

At the beginning of the pandemic, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act – this bill authorized a critical pandemic program for American families – the Farmers to Families Food Box. Since March, more than 62 million families across the country have received food boxes.

Millions of Americans are still out of a job, and for some, these boxes are what’s keeping food on the table. As the lead Republican on the Agriculture Committee’s Nutrition and Oversight Subcommittee, it’s important I see where the rubber meets the road – that’s why I volunteered with Feeding South Dakota during their distribution of the boxes.

Feeding South Dakota is doing amazing work. They’ve successfully partnered with the Farmers to Families federal program and distributed 160,332 boxes of food to families across our state. When families drive up to the food bank to receive their boxes, they are greeted by a welcoming volunteer and given a produce and a dairy box. Milk, cheese, yogurt, apples, berries, onions, and carrots are just a few of the items the family will receive on any given distribution day.

It was amazing to see how many people are being helped, but even more so, I was impressed by the teamwork aspect of the program. The Farmers to Families Food Box is a solid example of good government. The federal government managed to develop a program in weeks, while working with private companies and local food banks to ensure the food gets from the farm to the family table. It’s not a perfect program, but it’s been largely successful – I credit the partnership with the private sector for that.

Not only does this program help families in need, it provides farmers facing lost demand with a place to sell their food. When things first shut down, some producers were forced to dump their milk, this program continues to help fill some of the void being felt throughout our agriculture communities.

The Farmers to Families food box program is largely serving families who have never needed assistance before. I was proud to see it work firsthand and serve alongside so many dedicated volunteers in my town of Mitchell. If you or a family member are in need of food during these hard times, please don’t hesitate and reach out to your local food bank today to see if they are a partner with the Farmers to Families Food Box.

Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Parents Agree: Let’s Get Our Kids Back to School


Parents Agree: Let’s Get Our Kids Back to School
By Governor Kristi Noem 

Over the last few weeks, I had several opportunities to meet with parents across our beautiful state to discuss getting our kids back into school buildings this fall. My team and I met parents in Sioux Falls, Spearfish, and Huron. All but one parent agreed that we need to get our students back in the classroom.

The importance of in-classroom learning has been well-documented. Teachers and parents went above and beyond when our schools closed this past March, but their tremendous efforts could not overcome the inherent challenges of distance learning. Unfortunately, students only acquired about 70% of the learning gains in reading that they would have had they been in the classroom, and that number is only 50% for math. This cannot continue.

Learning in classrooms allows our students to retain more knowledge, continue to develop social skills, and, in some cases, improve their nutrition. As the CDC tells us, “Social interaction at school among children in grades PK-12 is particularly important for the development of language, communication, social, emotional, and interpersonal skills.” All of these areas are vital for our children, and keeping kids out of classrooms could have severe negative impacts on their long-term health.

Parents understand these challenges, and they also understand that children are less likely to contract or spread COVID-19. Data from other countries where schools have already reopened indicates that our kids are at low risk compared to adults, and a JAMA Pediatrics report tells us that “children are at far greater risk of critical illness from influenza than from COVID-19.” Given these promising facts, we can rest easy knowing that our kids are safely learning in the best environment possible.

Obviously, a school can’t operate without teachers and other staff. These hard-working individuals are unlikely to catch the virus from a student. However, if they have concerns, they can practice good hygiene and social distancing. They can also wear masks if they so choose. Some teachers are in the vulnerable population, and there may be opportunities for distance teaching to students who are distance learning.

Masks are a big part of the discussion on back-to-school. Most parents that we met with agreed that it is impractical for students to properly wear a mask for the entire school day. Kids will play with their mask, touch their face, or get them dirty, all of which can actually increase the spread of the virus. During a recent press conference, I gently teased a reporter that he’d touched his mask about a half-dozen times – and he was an adult! Certainly, our children are more prone to such behavior.

Other parents are making the decision that their kids will wear masks to school, and that choice is well within their purview to make. I’d encourage parents on both sides of this discussion to recognize that their peers may have reason to make a different choice, and that we shouldn’t shame those who choose differently. We don’t always know the reason behind the choices that someone else makes, so let’s be compassionate and understanding towards each other.

Getting our kids back in the classroom may pose some challenges, but such challenges are an opportunity to adapt and improve the way we do things. Let’s embrace these challenges and do everything we can to ensure that kids across our state get back in the classroom so they can get the best education possible.

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