The problem with hauling my big camera is that it’s hard to get those fun, candid shots uploaded and on line until the moment is long passed.
So, here are some of the miscellaneous photos I took as I had the time and opportunity:
“Haggar selfie”
District 12 represents! (Alex Jensen and Arch Beal)
Mike Verchio enjoying the return.
Two former Governors enjoy a laugh.
Assistant Majority Leader Steve Westra
And we present the Partridge Family…
Governor & Linda Daugaard greet former Governor Frank Farrar.
Attorney General Marty Jackley speaks with incoming House Speaker Pro Temp Mark Mickelson.
I missed Lt Governor Michels, but from my perch far above, I did have a nice spot to watch and listen to the swearing-ins.
I’m waiting for the Inaugural swearing-ins, as this place starts to fill in.
Already back in Pierre for the inaugural!
I’m one floor above the House Chamber, ready for the events of the day. It looks to be a good crowd with lots of familiar faces!
Watch this spot for pictures and more!
Newly elected State Representative Fred Deutsch as he sets up his desk at the State Capitol.
In recent days, much has been written about State Senator Craig Tieszen’s proposal to relax the current voting prohibition on convicted felons voting until completion of their sentence. But don’t look for the Secretary of State to support Tieszen’s proposal.
In fact, it remains to be seen whether anyone has asked the incoming Secretary of State for input on the measure being proposed.
In an interview with dakotawarcollege.com, Secretary of State Shantel Krebs, while she cedes authority to propose the measure rests with the legislative branch; as the person who would work with the court system to implement it, Krebs notes that she “hasn’t seen the language in the bill” yet. Krebs went on to note that ultimately, “any changes would be voted on by the legislature.”
While the American Civil Liberties Union was active in lobbying for relaxed voting restrictions on convicted felons in 2012, as the state’s chief elections officer, Krebs hasn’t heard from any outside groups on the bill at this point.
Krebs told SDWC that “Anything that has to do with felons voting is a public policy issue that rests with the legislature.” And, while she “can’t speak for the legislature,” Krebs doesn’t “see supporting any changes to current statute,” and feels that the changes in the 2012 proposal primed by State Senator Gene Abdallah “are what’s appropriate.”
Krebs went on to say that she is in “approval of the current law.“
Congress Votes For South Dakota Jobs In Passing Keystone Pipeline Bill
AFP South Dakota Calls on President to Sign Legislation
Sioux Falls, S.D. – Americans for Prosperity South Dakota released the following statement after today’s vote of overwhelming support for the Keystone Pipeline by the U.S. House of Representatives.
AFP South Dakota Director Ben Lee said:
“We applaud Congresswoman Noem on her vote to provide much needed relief for middle class families. With 8.7 million Americans still out of work, we simply cannot afford to deny access to 42,000 good-paying jobs. American families need secure jobs and the American economy needs secure energy. The Keystone Pipeline provides both. The President and Senate should act quickly to sign this bill into law and get Americans back to work.”
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