• We have now completed the fifth week (20^th day) of the 2013 SD Legislative Session. The days are getting longer and the pace is quickening as we approach cross-over day, which is when all bills must be out of their house of origin. 
• I serve on Senate Local Government, Taxation, and Retirement Law.  The bill that has brought the most debate for us has been SB 179 which is a bill to put some restrictions on drain tiling and to try to unify the process throughout the state.  I have received much input via emails, phone calls, and personal visits.  It is a bill that came from one of the members of the task force that studied the issue this past year.  It is my opinion that it this bill is premature and that more time is needed for the study to be completed.  They did not have their December meeting as it was cancelled due to the weather and road conditions.  We will have a two hour hearing on the issue this week

in Senate Local Government.  That session is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13^th.   
• Education base funding for public schools continues to be a top priority. Unfortunately, that important issue typically awaits the very end of the legislators'

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