Category: Uncategorized

From KOTA News, State Senator Helene Duhamel was recently honored by ELEVATE Rapid City for her public service to the citizens of Rapid City:

Elevate Rapid City presented State Senator Helene Duhamel with the 2025 Distinguished Public Service Award Tuesday night.

“She has been a force for good in Rapid City and has left an indelible mark,” Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun said. “We are better because she has existed. We are so grateful for Helene, and it’s great to be able to celebrate her today.”

and..

“I’ve stood on their shoulders and tried to follow in their footsteps,” Duhamel said. “It’s a great honor.”

Other legislators say Duhamel stands out among her peers in Pierre.

Read the entire story here.

Despite coming out separately on the measure, according to a press report, Senator Casey Crabtree & Governor Larry Rhoden will be working together on a suppressor bill this next session:

Governor Rhoden and State Senator Casey Crabtree will be working to remove suppressors from the list of controlled weapons in South Dakota. Removing suppressors from the state’s controlled weapons list would still mean they are regulated under federal law and purchasers would still need to go through background checks on other measures.

and..

State Senator Crabtree and Rhoden both initially announced their own individual proposals before announcing they would work together on Tuesday. Crabtree said in a press release, “Thanks to President Trump and Republican Leaders, the One Big Beautiful Bill was a major win for gun owners purchasing suppressors. This session, we will update South Dakota law to reflect this Second Amendment victory.”

Read the entire story here.

ACLU of South Dakota Condemns Politically Motivated Investigation of Abortion Ads

Gov. Larry Rhoden’s request for an investigation into an advertising campaign educating people about the safety and effectiveness of abortion pills is a politically motivated attack on free speech.

Despite the state’s near-total ban on abortion, the governor can’t prevent information about abortion from being shared in South Dakota. The United States Supreme Court considers speech about abortion protected speech under the First Amendment and has reaffirmed that position multiple times since Bigelow v. Virginia in 1975.

“This investigation into the ads placed by Mayday Health at gas stations throughout the state will chill rightfully protected speech about an issue that needs to be discussed now more than ever,” said Samantha Chapman, ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager. “This targeted attack against information about abortion violates our First Amendment right to share and receive information and puts a target on any other organization or individual who dares to share information that the governor disfavors.”

For decades, medication abortion has been a safe, effective, FDA-approved method for ending an early pregnancy. It is used for more than 60% of abortions in the United States, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute. The drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, commonly used in medication abortions, are also listed on the World Health Organizations’ list of essential medicines.

Attempts like this to restrict information about abortion will only further isolate pregnant South Dakotans seeking to educate themselves about medical care.

“South Dakota’s anti-abortion politicians are more concerned about restricting information than the state’s sky-high maternal and infant mortality rates,” Chapman said. “This investigation into Mayday Health’s ads is little more than political theater at the taxpayer’s expense.”

Mayday Health is non-profit organization that provides education about medication abortion and how to access it in the United States. It does not sell or provide medication abortion pills.

About the ACLU of South Dakota

The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of South Dakota is part of a three-state chapter that also includes North Dakota and Wyoming. The team in South Dakota is supported by staff in those states.

The ACLU believes freedoms of press, speech, assembly, and religion, and the rights to due process, equal protection and privacy, are fundamental to a free people. In addition, the ACLU seeks to advance constitutional protections for groups traditionally denied their rights, including people of color, women, and the LGBTQ communities. The ACLU of South Dakota carries out its work through selective litigation, lobbying at the state and local level, and through public education and awareness of what the Bill of Rights means for the people of South Dakota.

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[Editor’s note – Senator Rounds is right on the money with this, as I sent a political mailing for a client that took fully 2 weeks to go from my area to SE SD. A mailing that should have taken 2 days took 2 weeks?!? The situation is completely ridiculous. -pp]

Rounds Requests Investigation into Postal Service Issues in South Dakota

Service has “deteriorated to critical levels” for South Dakotans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has formally requested an investigation into the persistent issues with United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery in South Dakota. In a letter to Tammy Hull, Inspector General of USPS, Rounds asked for Hull to determine the root cause of mail issues impacting South Dakota, as well as consider the need for a regional processing facility in South Dakota.

In September, Rounds sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner urging him to restore reliable mail service and requesting a meeting. Rounds and Steiner met in October. Steiner followed up on the meeting with a letter dismissing the issues raised by Rounds, claiming that the mail delays were caused by issues at processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City despite none of these facilities handling South Dakota’s intrastate mail.

“In recent months, I have heard from hundreds of constituents across South Dakota voicing substantial issues with USPS service in my state,” wrote Rounds. “I believe these issues are caused by the flawed design of the USPS network, which all but guarantees that mail traveling across or to South Dakota must travel in a circuitous manner through locations around and outside of the state.”

“The people of South Dakota depend on the Postal Service for critical communication, medicine and care,” continued Rounds. “I request that you act swiftly to identify and resolve the causes of these failures and help return South Dakota’s mail service to the standards Americans deserve.”

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on USPS issues in South Dakota, leading the push to keep local processing facilities in South Dakota. In April 2024, Rounds sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging USPS to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota. As a result, in February 2025, USPS committed to keeping the Dakota Central processing facility in Huron open, as well as investing $3 million in improvements to the facility. Rounds also secured a commitment from former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to keep mail that originates within South Dakota from leaving the state for processing.

In addition, Rounds first introduced the Postal Processing Protection Act in June 2024, legislation that would require USPS to consider consequences for rural areas during their closure or downsizing review process in order to protect rural mail processing facilities. Rounds recently reintroduced this legislation in the 119th Congress.

Earlier this year, Rounds introduced the Deliver for Democracy Act, which would protect rural newspapers and consumers from unjustified price hikes by making certain the Postal Service is held to a standard for on-time deliveries. Rounds is also the Senate lead on the Instituting Notification Formalities on Reorganizing Mail (INFORM) Act of 2025, legislation to require the USPS to post a physical notice within impacted storefronts explaining any proposed changes in service.

Read the full text of the letter HERE or below.

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Dear Inspector General Hull:

In recent months, I have heard from hundreds of constituents across South Dakota voicing substantial issues with United States Postal Service (USPS) service in my state.

This includes intrastate mail, package and periodicals as well poorer service compared to the district average on all classes of inbound and outbound mail. I believe these issues are caused by the flawed design of the USPS network, which all but guarantees that mail traveling across or to South Dakota must travel in a circuitous manner through locations around and outside of the state. As a result, mail delivered in South Dakota is arriving outside of acceptable service standards.

Unfortunately, these systemic inefficiencies are not just inconveniences, they’re directly affecting the health and well-being of South Dakotans. Delays have resulted in veterans missing Community Care Network appointments because the letter arrived after the scheduled appointment date. Furthermore, a leading private sector regional health care system has reported that by the time some delayed medications arrived, they could no longer be used. These issues have become persistent and at times reached the “point of jeopardizing patient care.”

I believe USPS service performance on intrastate mail and periodicals in South Dakota has in some cases deteriorated to critical levels that impacts the lives of everyday South Dakotans and degrades my ability to communicate with constituents.

I expressed my concerns about this to the Postmaster General (PMG) Steiner who downplayed such issue existed in South Dakota. PMG Steiner also noted that he believed that delays in mail sent across South Dakota were caused by issues at processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City. However, none of these facilities handle South Dakota’s intrastate mail.

Despite clear evidence of poor performance of USPS mail products especially intrastate mail, USPS senior leadership denies a problem exists. Therefore, I request the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of USPS investigate these concerns and make the necessary recommendations to USPS to restore reliable mail service to South Dakota.

As part of this investigation, I request that USPS OIG work to determine root causes of mail delays impacting South Dakotans; assess processes regarding handling of mail and packages, transportation schedules, facility constraints, staffing and current design of mail flows though the USPS processing network; and evaluate claims made by USPS during the Mail Processing Facility Review process that 3454 Origin/Destinating Pairs in South Dakota would “receive service performance upgrades and no service performance downgrades”. As you formulate recommendations for reform, I would also ask that you evaluate the need for the construction of a regional processing facility in South Dakota.

The people of South Dakota depend on the Postal Service for critical communication, medicine and care. I request that you act swiftly to identify and resolve the causes of these failures and help return South Dakota’s mail service to the standards Americans deserve.

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Tariffs Cut Deep Into South Dakota Farm Income as Federal Aid Surges

New $12 billion bailout arrives as crop prices fall, input costs rise, and long-term markets weaken.

By Todd Epp, Northern Plains News

South Dakota farmers face widening financial losses as tariff-driven price drops collide with rising production costs, forcing taxpayers to cover billions in emergency payments that still trail behind the damage.

Why It Matters

The state’s farm economy enters 2026 under pressure. Tariffs have reworked global trade flows, pushed input costs higher, and left major buyers like China on the sidelines. Federal aid will help stabilize balance sheets this winter, but agricultural economists warn the underlying problems—lost markets, high costs, and prolonged volatility—remain unresolved and could reshape the long-term viability of South Dakota’s row-crop sector.

Farm income has dropped across the Plains as commodity prices fall below breakeven levels. Analysts estimate that U.S. growers of major row crops face tens of billions in reduced revenue for 2025, according to industry and government economic models. In South Dakota, farmers report steep losses on corn as prices slide from pandemic-era highs to levels that no longer cover rising production costs.

The state’s soybean sector has taken the largest hit. China, normally a dominant buyer in global soybean markets, sharply reduced purchases for much of 2025, tightening margins across the Upper Midwest. South Dakota typically harvests about 230 million bushels a year, making soybeans a cornerstone of the state’s $11 billion agriculture industry.

Federal Payments Rise as Markets Collapse

South Dakota received an estimated $418 million in federal emergency support through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program as of September, according to the Dakota Institute. The Trump administration approved an additional $12 billion in aid on Monday, with payments expected by late February.

But federal analysts and budget groups report that the economics do not balance out. Tariff collections generated roughly $195 billion in fiscal year 2025, a sharp increase from the prior year. Yet crop losses combined with federal farm payments consumed an estimated $70 billion to $80 billion nationwide, based on figures from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and historical USDA payment data.

The dynamic mirrors Trump’s first term, when farmer relief programs amounted to nearly the full value of tariffs collected from China, according to research from the Council on Foreign Relations. Agricultural markets suffered long-term damage as former export partners shifted to producers in Brazil and other suppliers, weakening U.S. leverage even after tariff revenues climbed.

Costs Up, Prices Down

South Dakota producers face the double pressure of lower commodity prices and higher operating costs. Tariffs on agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, machinery, and certain chemicals add to expenses already elevated by global supply chain disruptions. Analysts with agricultural lenders report that the per-acre cost of raising corn and soybeans continues to rise faster than market prices, leaving many farms reliant on federal assistance to break even.

Younger farmers bear the greatest financial risk, as tighter credit, smaller land bases, and limited cash reserves reduce their ability to withstand continued price volatility. Industry economists warn that prolonged market disruption could accelerate consolidation in rural communities and weaken the state’s long-term agricultural capacity.

Future Revenue Clouded by Legal Challenges

The Congressional Budget Office projects that current tariff policies could generate up to several trillion dollars through 2035 if maintained. But legal challenges continue to move through federal courts, and a Supreme Court ruling on presidential tariff authority could force the government to refund tens of billions of dollars to importers, shrinking future revenue and limiting the administration’s ability to offset agricultural losses through new aid packages.

Johnson’s Bipartisan Digital Permitting Bill Passes U.S. House

 Washington, D.C. – Today, the ePermit Act, led by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Scott Peters (D-CA) passed the House unanimously. The ePermit Act will codify President Trump’s Action Plan to modernize permitting technology across the federal government, reducing processing time for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.

Click here or the image above for Johnson’s floor remarks

“It has become harder and harder to get any big project done in America,” said Johnson. “The same road project that can get approved in Germany in six months takes six years in America. America is full of innovators, creators, and builders. It’s time we let them build again, fueling economic growth and unlocking domestic energy production. I’m grateful the ePermit Act passed the House, and I hope the Senate acts soon so this can be the law of the land.”

“Passing this bill out of the House represents a major breakthrough in our effort to finally modernize an outdated permitting system,” said Peters. “Today’s progress is a clear sign that Congress can still come together to solve real problems; let’s build on this momentum, digitize the permitting process, cut needless delays, and get this bill across the finish line.”

“The ePermit Act modernizes an outdated system and establishes a streamlined, electronic permitting framework that will reduce red tape and increase efficiency across federal agencies,” said Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). By transitioning to digital permitting, we can cut down on delays, enhance coordination and provide applicants with clearer, more predictable timelines. I applaud Representative Johnson for leading this bipartisan effort to bring permitting into the 21st century.”

“Modernizing the environmental review and permitting process will enable the United States to meet critical infrastructure needs, secure affordable and reliable energy, and fuel economic growth,” said Katherine Scarlett, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality. “The administration welcomes congressional action to leverage technology to accelerate and simplify the permitting process across the Federal government, building on the accomplishments set in motion by President Trump’s Memorandum Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century – such as CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan.”

“Technology and transparency are key pieces of meaningful permitting reform to let America build,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action. “Today’s House vote reiterates bipartisan support for streamlining reviews in a way that balances speed and safety. We look forward to the Senate taking up the ePermit Act this Congress.”

“NAHB urges House passage of the ePermit Act, introduced by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Scott Peters (D-CA),” said Buddy Hughes, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders. “This legislation would address housing affordability challenges by improving and expediting the environmental review and permitting processes. Permitting roadblocks delay housing projects and raise construction costs. The ePermit Act will bring clarity, efficiency, and certainty to the permitting process by requiring the use of electronic permitting platforms.”

“It’s no secret that the current permitting process remains a major barrier to deploying the projects needed to secure America’s energy and environmental future,” said Chris Barnard, President, American Conservation Coalition Action. “By embracing today’s technology, we can modernize the permitting system and accelerate project approvals through greater efficiency and transparency. The American Conservation Coalition Action and its members across the country commend this effort to bring environmental review into the 21st century.”

“The American Council of Engineering Companies, the business voice of the nation’s engineering industry, supports passage of H.R. 4503, the ePermit Act and applauds Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Scott Peters (D-CA) for their leadership on this important bipartisan legislation. The ePermit Act will modernize how federal agencies use technology to facilitate more efficient and timely federal permitting decisions. If passed, the bill will help to cut red tape by enhancing transparency, improving stakeholder engagement, and facilitating efficient interagency collaboration.”

Johnson introduced the ePermit Act in July. The House Natural Resources Committee passed the legislation in November.

Background:

The current permitting process has failed to ensure project permitting is on-time and on-task. Oftentimes, the root causes of delays in the environmental review process have little to do with questions about environmental protection and a lot to do with failure to embrace modern technology and move on from legacy bureaucratic approaches, like paper forms.

Congress must address the root causes for delays, which include compiling and reviewing lengthy paper documents, a lack of accessibility and transparency – leading to misunderstanding, conflicts, and all too often, protracted litigation – and continued reliance on outdated technologies and processes for interagency review and comment.

The ePermit Act would address these root causes by establishing a framework for agencies to implement a digital permitting system and unified portal.

Click here for bill text.

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Testing our Limits with a Limited Budget
By Jean Hunhoff

South Dakota has long been known for strong fiscal discipline. We live within our means, we keep our promises to taxpayers, and we plan ahead rather than spend more than we should. Those principles have shaped our state for generations and guided my own approach to budgeting throughout my years of service.

The governor recently presented what he called “a limited budget” and encouraged lawmakers to see those limits as an opportunity. There is value in looking for opportunity, but responsible budgeting also requires honesty about what tight dollars mean for the families, schools, and providers who rely on state services every day.

One of the most significant points in the address was the announcement that Medicaid spending has now surpassed K-12 education spending for the first time. Medicaid is a vital program that supports children, seniors, and people with disabilities. At the same time, when education falls behind Medicaid for the first time in our history, it signals growing pressure on our schools, especially in rural areas. Rural districts are already working with limited enrollment, fewer applicants for open teaching positions, and rising costs for everything from heating buildings to transporting students. When education funding fails to keep pace, these districts have very little room to absorb increased costs without reducing students’ opportunities.

Fiscal conservatism means recognizing pressures early and making carefully considered decisions before problems grow larger or more costly.

Those pressures become even clearer when we look at the governor’s recommendation of a 0.0% increase for the big three budget areas. These include K-12 schools, Medicaid providers, and state employees. Each represents part of the core workforce that keeps South Dakota running. Teachers, nurses, direct health care staff, and public employees support the day-to-day needs of South Dakotans.

What does a 0.0% increase mean? When faced with expenses like utilities, insurance, transportation, food service, and staffing that continue to rise, that’s not holding the line. That’s forgetting to set the emergency brake on an icy hill. And just like that slippery slope, we’ll find ourselves going backwards.

Rural schools, in particular, do not have the enrollment or tax base to absorb reductions. Many small districts have already reduced staff or programs where they can. For some districts, even a slight financial shift can affect course offerings, class sizes, or extracurricular opportunities. These are difficult decisions for any community.

True fiscal conservatism is not only about limiting spending. It is also about protecting the essential services that allow families and communities to thrive. Strong rural schools are part of the foundation that keeps people living, working, and building their futures in South Dakota. If we want our young people to stay here, we must make sure they have access to quality education close to home.

Revenue trends add another layer of reality. Sales tax revenue declined by 0.6% last year, a rare decline for our state. While revenues so far this year are improving, families are still paying more for groceries, utilities, and insurance. When household budgets are stretched thin, state revenues feel that pressure. Careful planning remains essential.

The governor also left $14 million in one-time funding for legislative consideration. In a year that is described as a tight budget, that amount sends a mixed signal about the level of real budget discipline required.

Experience has demonstrated that one-time dollars should always go to one-time needs. The state should avoid making new ongoing commitments that it cannot sustain. This approach is essential for protecting taxpayers and upholding principles of conservative budgeting. When the Legislature received a significant influx of one-time federal COVID funds, we adopted a disciplined strategy. We allocated those funds exclusively for one-time projects that enhanced infrastructure, supported communities, and promoted long-term growth, all without establishing new programs or requiring ongoing financial support. That leadership continues to benefit South Dakota today. One-time dollars are most valuable when they help build lasting strength, not when they provide a momentary political benefit.

Fiscal conservatism means making every dollar count, strengthening what works, and protecting opportunities for families. The choices made in Pierre this year will reach far beyond the next budget cycle. They will set the direction for the next decade in our towns and counties. That is why it is essential to understand not only the limits of a limited budget but also the responsibility that comes with it.

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Jean Hunhoff served District 18 in both the House and Senate and was a longtime member of the Joint Appropriations Committee. She follows budget and policy issues from her home in Yankton.

Gov. Rhoden Calls Attorney General to Investigate Abortion Advertising Campaign

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden urged Attorney General Marty Jackley to investigate a new abortion ad campaign, which appears to conflict with South Dakota’s proud pro-life stance. He made this request in a letter, which you can find here. The Attorney General quickly agreed to pursue the investigation.

“South Dakota has the most pro-life laws in the nation – I am proud of that fact,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden. “This advertising campaign threatens the lives of children yet to be born in our state, and it also threatens the health of South Dakota mothers, as chemical abortions are four times as likely to cause a mother to end up in the emergency room.”

According to KELOLAND News, Mayday Health is advertising abortion pills at 30 gas stations in 20 South Dakota cities. This campaign is potentially in violation of South Dakota’s pro-life laws, including SDCL 22-17-5.1 and 36-4-8, or could even be a deceptive trade practice.

“All ad campaigns, no matter what the issue, need to follow state laws and fair trade practices,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “We will review these ads and determine if any laws have been broken. If laws have been broken, we will take appropriate action.”

“I thank you in advance for investigating this matter and defending both South Dakota moms and their babies. My team will continue working with yours to assess whether this issue needs to be addressed with further legislation,” continued Governor Rhoden.

The Noem-Rhoden Administration banned chemical abortions via telemedicine with HB 1318 in 2022. Abortion became illegal in South Dakota, except to save the life of a pregnant mother, following the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022, and South Dakota voters ratified that law with the defeat of Amendment G in 2024.

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December 1 – 7, 2025

Welcome back to another edition of my Weekly Round[s] Up. It was another productive and fast-paced week in Washington as we move toward the end of the year. This past week, I announced my nominations to the U.S. Service Academies for the upcoming school year. Congratulations to all nominees for earning these highly competitive nominations through their dedication, leadership and academic excellence. They have bright futures ahead of them. Read more about this process and a full list of my nominees here. More on the rest of my week in my Weekly Round[s] Up:

South Dakota groups I visited with: Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, President of Dakota State University; South Dakota students with Jobs for America’s Graduates; Justin Tupper from St. Onge, President of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association; and Michael Pauley with South Dakota Catholic Conference.

Met with South Dakotans from: Madison, Martin, Mission, Presho, Sioux Falls and St. Onge.

Other meetings: Mike Gilday, Executive, Admiral (Retired), U.S. Navy and Josh Stiefel; Baju Bhatt, Founder and CEO of Aetherflux and Co-Founder of Robinhood; Moldovan Delegation; Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA; and Bimal Patel, General Counsel at PayPal.

Briefings: I attended one Senate Armed Services Committee briefing, two closed Senate Select Committee on Intelligence briefings and one Central Intelligence Agency briefing.

Introduced Legislation: This week I introduced legislation called the Developing and Empowering Our Aspiring Leaders (DEAL) Act that would increase access to capital for America’s innovators. The DEAL Act passed the House of Representatives unanimously this week. You can read more about it here.

Reagan National Defense Forum: This past weekend I attended the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California. On Saturday, I took part in a panel titled Forging Ahead with Speed: Transitioning to New Technologies at the Pentagon. It was a productive weekend reviewing ways to strengthen America’s national defense and continuing to build partnerships between the military, industrial base and congress.

Senate Bible Study: On Tuesday, I hosted our weekly Senate Bible Study in my office. We discussed the verse John 14:16.

Votes taken: 11 – This past week I voted on nominees David Bragdon and Lindsey Freeman, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judges for the Middle District of North Carolina (Yea). We also voted on Susan Rodriguez and Matthew Orso, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina (Yea). I also voted on Senator Murkowski’s Disapproval of Biden Coastal Plain Program ROD CRA (Yea).

My staff in South Dakota visited: Deadwood, Ft. Pierre and Lead.

Steps taken: 69,925 steps or 33.86 miles.

Photo of the Week:
This week I met with South Dakota students who are participating in Jobs for America’s Graduates. I had a good time talking to them about the work we do here in the Senate.

Wilkinson to Testify Before Congress on Abuse of EAJA

DeSmet, SD — South Dakota rancher and attorney Todd Wilkinson will testify tomorrow before a United States House Natural Resources subcommittee about how some large environmental groups are misusing the Equal Access to Justice Act. Wilkinson is the past president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the first person from South Dakota to lead the group.

EAJA was created to help small farmers, ranchers, and families speak up when the federal government made a mistake. It was meant to level the playing field and give ordinary people a fair chance in court. Wilkinson will explain how big national groups now use this same law to file long lists of lawsuits, collect large attorney fees, and push federal agencies into costly delays.

“The law was written to protect small producers,” Wilkinson said. “But today it is being used by groups with huge budgets and teams of lawyers. This hurts the people EAJA was supposed to help, and it costs taxpayers millions of dollars.”

Wilkinson said South Dakota producers feel the impact when agencies use time and money on lawsuits instead of serving rural communities.

“Every hour the federal government spends in court is an hour taken away from work that helps families on the ground,” Wilkinson said. “I want Congress to see how this hurts the people who were supposed to have a voice.”

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 at 9:15 am CST. Watch the hearing at:

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