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would have been about $5 million.
• The floor sessions in the House were rather frustrating for me last week.  For three days, we listened to some legislators debating each other on three specious topics: First it was the conditions under which a constitutional convention for purposes of adopting a federal balanced budget amendment should be held, and the fears some have that that convention would "runaway" to include other issues than a balanced budget.  I resisted being drawn in, but finally had to stand to say that I feel that taking the unlimited money out of campaigns (i.e. reverse the Citizens United Supreme Court case that said corporations have freedom of speech and can buy Congressional seats) would be much more effective in dealing with Congressional dysfunction than pinning our hopes on something that 38 legislative bodies would have to approve. The second issue was a resolution concerning federal enforcement of immigration laws and not granting amnesty to illegal immigrants.  Finally, we debated a couple variations of a bill granting elected officials only the ability to carry concealed weapons, with a permit, in courthouses and capitol buildings.  The discussion degenerated into doomsday scenarios, references to the NRA representative patrolling the halls that day, and a bragging session of "I've got more guns in my house than you do" before it was over.
• If you have questions and concerns.  I may be reached by phone at 237-3086 and through email at rep.wismer@state.sd.us.
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