Weekly Column
BIG News
Many South Dakotans would agree – I’d rather have American energy dominance be driven by what’s happening in South Dakota’s corn fields rather than Iranian oil fields. More E15 fuel is an opportunity to rely more on American energy production, grown right here in the heartland.
All cars model year 2001 or newer are suitable for E15, which is becoming a more popular option for drivers. On average, drivers save 20-40 cents per gallon when filling up with E15 compared to E10 (traditional gasoline).
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Public safety begins in our communities. Our police officers, firefighters, and emergency services personnel are on the frontlines every day to keep South Dakotans safe. This week, I toured the Public Safety Building in Lake Norden – an outstanding example of a community prioritizing safety and resilience. After their public safety building burned down in 2023, the people of Lake Norden came together to build a brand new facility that serves the entire region.
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I’ve met with ag producers across South Dakota and they all agree – we need a Farm Bill. Farmers and ranchers want certainty as they plan for the future, and outdated farm policy is holding them back.
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Dr. Julie Callahan, the Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), joined me and my colleagues for a discussion on how strong agriculture trade is vital to our country.
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Earlier this week, I met with police chiefs and sheriffs from across South Dakota to talk about public safety. Our law enforcement officers are on the front lines protecting our state. Because they understand better than anyone what support our communities need, I keep in touch with them regularly.
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The overflow of illicit substances into our country has made our communities less safe and strained public resources. This influx of dangerous drugs was exacerbated by a previously unsecured southern border and the continued flow of fentanyl from China. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2mg of the substance, which is considered a potentially lethal dose. Today, fentanyl is tragically the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.
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Holy Week is a powerful reminder of God’s love and sacrifice. It offers another chance to reflect on our lives and look forward in hope to what is to come – the return of Christ.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to join others on Good Friday at the Sioux Falls Prayer Breakfast for fellowship and prayer. We’ll be hearing stories from Chaplain Barry Black that inspire hope and about living a life that makes a difference.
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Farmers face many factors that they have no control over. They can’t control the weather, commodity prices, or input costs. Yet they work hard every day to feed and fuel the world despite these unknowns.
I introduced the Fertilizer Transparency Act to give farmers accurate, weekly information on fertilizer prices. The United States Department of Agriculture currently publishes this data annually and on a voluntary basis.
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Last year, a number of states, including South Dakota, were found to have improperly issued Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) to drivers illegally in this country. In fact, the Trump Administration found that South Dakota was in “systemic noncompliance” with the law. That means someone who is no longer legally authorized to be in the United States could have a valid government ID and drive on our roads.
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The Working Families Tax Cuts, which I voted for, delivered a historic $50 billion investment to strengthen rural health care via the Rural Health Transformation Program. This is a major commitment to support the rural health workforce, modernize technology, and improve efficiency for the community hospitals and clinics that serve families across South Dakota.