The new state executive team in South Dakota has taken shape.
Larry Rhoden, longtime state legislator, has moved into the governor position, as Republican Kristi Noem has departed to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Rhoden was officially sworn in Monday, then on Tuesday delivered a special address to a joint session of the state Legislature. Then on Wednesday, Rhoden tapped Tony Venhuizen, a Sioux Falls Republican, as the person to fill his former role.
Rhoden served in the state Legislature for 18 years prior to becoming lieutenant governor. He said many of the issues lawmakers are facing this year are topics he’s worked on in the past, such as property taxes and eminent domain.
House lawmakers recently advanced a proposal banning the use of eminent domain for liquid carbon dioxide pipelines.
Gov. Rhoden acknowledged the state’s “tough budget situation.” He said he will not offer a separate budget from Noem. However, he said he will work to restore proposed cuts to state libraries and buildings and maintenance. However, he said that all boils down to revenues, which lawmakers will determine February 13.
During his speech, Rhoden said South Dakota also must have fair and predictable regulations for business.
“We shouldn’t change the rules in the middle of the game. South Dakota can be open for business, and we can offer a fair shake for every family. We should make sure our young people can stay here and work in a fulfilling career field," Rhoden said.
*Additionally, new refugees in Iowa and across the nation have lost access to services supported through federal funding.
The Trump administration last week suspended the United States Refugee Admissions Program. The order cuts off critical funding for resettlement agencies, which helped refugees from across the world fleeing persecution in their home countries to legally settle in the United States.
Nick Wuertz of Lutheran Services in Iowa says resettlement agencies provide financial assistance for basic living expenses.
“There are no other community services that that do that, or that people can be referred to. You know, it's really the only way that families have an opportunity to understand, kind of, their new community, get on their feet, find jobs and get settled,” Wuertz said.
Wuertz says roughly 80 percent of LSI's funding comes from the federal government.
*In other news, a bill advancing in the Iowa House would establish uniform general education requirements across the state’s public universities.
Students would be required to take classes in areas like math and science. They would also have to study what the bill calls Western Heritage and American Heritage. Under the bill, gen ed courses would be banned from having material teaching “identity politics” or claiming that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in national or state institutions.
Keenan Crow of One Iowa testified against the bill.
“While I can appreciate all the language in here about not distorting historical events which I agree with, what I don't agree with is sheltering students from theories about systemic issues in our state or our country. I know these theories will make folks uncomfortable, but this is ideological censorship in what should be an institution of higher learning,” Crow said.
Other bills proposed in the Iowa House would require students getting a bachelor’s degree at a public college or university to take a course on American history.
One bill would create a “school of intellectual freedom” at the University of Iowa. Supporters say it will promote diversity of opinion and help create well-informed citizens.
*Additionally, a notable downtown Sioux City building will shortly be demolished, since officials say it is dangerous due to structural instability.
One of the buildings in the 600 block of Douglas Street is the former longtime KCAU television building. The building next to it will also be torn down, since the KCAU one cannot be removed without impacting the other.
A City of Sioux City press release said an engineering study showed the buildings pose an imminent danger. The city has bought both buildings, and has a quote of $750,000 to demolish them.
Future plans for redevelopment of the site will be determined by the Sioux City Council.
*The Woodbury County Emergency Management agency is once again offering free disaster survival training sessions to help residents prepare for disasters.
The sessions are designed to provide participants with the essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively to an emergency.
Mike Montino, Woodbury County Emergency Management Coordinator, in a release sad he is aiming “to empower community members to take proactive steps in protecting themselves and their loved ones during a disaster."
The first of two sessions will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall in Correctionville, Iowa, with the other one set for February 19 in Climbing Hill at the Woodbury County Emergency Services building.
