State Representative Scott Odenbach, who has been at loggerheads with Governor Kristi Noem this year over calling a special session to impose laws to prevent businesses to require vaccinations, is firing off a salvo at the Governor criticizing her budget proposal as a “Blue State Budget,” and trying to paint Governor Noem as somehow being a liberal:
This might be the first time I’ve ever heard anyone trying to accuse Governor Noem of “big government Socialism.”
Unfortunately, I believe the “use it or lose it” funds from the Federal Government come with a number of constraints, so I don’t know if it’s quite so easy to just give it away, as much as to use it for projects, such as long, long overdue dam repair and other infrastructure needs. And if we can use it for job training and workforce housing, those are actually critical areas of need right now. And I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t think their educators and state employees don’t need an increase about now.
In prior years, much of the windfall would have been squirreled away into the reserve. Here we have an opportunity for a largely federal-paid boost into improving our state’s economy.
Your thoughts?
Make sure we get value for the money.
Any election reform dollars in there?
To quote Scott Hoy, “Please stop.”
Hard not to notice the duplicity with the shrug of the shoulders that the money has to be spent. It does need to get spent, we all get that, but we should not be so proud of your non conservative ways that I’ll be paying for all of my remaining days. This is all just nuts.
It’s quite funny watching republicans trying to reconcile Noem’s spending while criticizing Biden and Congress. I guess everything is socialism these days.
Scott is spot on!
Odenbach might need to come up with a plan for the money. I’m sure people are open minded.
Maybe one giant trust fund.
He should explain his plan. Does he have a plan that uses the federal funds within the strings that are attached, uses one-time windfalls for one-time purposes, and uses ongoing increases for ongoing spending or tax cuts?
Or is he just a guy who complains about the Governor’s proposal without putting forward a workable alternative himself? (In other words, basically a Democrat)
Thank you Rep. Odenbach.
Scott is right on much of this. PP is right on points as well. I really dislike seeing all the spending on what feel like brand new made up programs. But, yes, there are strings attached to much of this.
A couple items that make me nervous — 1) $100 Million to day care? Honestly, that’s a ton of money? Who gets it? New daycares? Current daycares? Parents? Everyone? Those in need? If it goes to people who truly need the help, then great but what happens then when it runs out? 2) Housing. This one seems ripe for corruption. Which developers get the money? Does it just replace what they were already going to do? Does it actually lower the cost of the house they are building or does the cost stay the same and the extra profit goes to the developer?
Lots of questions that the Legislature needs answers to.
My understanding is the funds are a one-time thing. Using them to increase teacher and state workers salaries seems foolish because next year they have to figure out where those funds are going to come from. When I decided to go into teaching, I knew what it paid. I have never complained about what I got paid. If I did not want to get that salary, I would have found something else to do. One thing overlooked that teachers, and I believe state workers, receive is a pension. Many teachers, me included, are able to retire at a younger age than most other people.
Noem is short sited. Odenbach is correct in his analysis.
Scott has always been a well-reasoned conservative whereas the Governor seems to promote whatever makes her look good.
An idea that has been true longer than popular, but popularity is gaining !
Scott is on the money once again.