John Gossom
Stone Age Politics: House Kills Medical Marijuana Bill
PIERRE - There is a multitude of anecdotal evidence of marijuana’s beneficial medical uses, however the federal government continues to treat it as a substance with no redeeming medical value.
Immigration Reform Will Have Impact Close to Home
Due to the attractive local economic climate, many Sioux Falls area residents either will be, or know someone who will be, directly affected by immigration legislation.
Do Wind Farm Developers Need Tax Rebates?
PIERRE - A bill recently introduced in the South Dakota Senate would attempt to make the state a more attractive locale by giving developers of wind farms not only a full refund of the state contractor’s excise tax but also 25% of the sales tax.
Sentinels and School Boards: South Dakota House Bill to Arm Schools Falls Short
The efforts to place ‘sentinels’ in schools has only happened so recently that no one currently serving on a school board was elected to that office based on their position on this issue.
School Voucher Programs Only Work for Those Who Don’t Need Them
Government exists to serve the general public interest. It is not a vending machine designed to give everyone exactly the amount of candy they are willing to pay for.
Criminal Justice Reform Long Overdue
The South Dakota Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at creating alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenders.
Bill to Add Speeding to Point Structure Defeated Again
PIERRE - A watered down version of a measure that was narrowly defeated last year in the South Dakota House, failed to even leave the Transportation Committee the second time around.
Mind the Gap: Governor Daugaard Punts on Implementing ‘Obamacare’ Provisions
PIERRE - Governor Daugaard has joined a number of other Republican governors in refusing certain elements of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Is the NRA a ‘Paper’ Tiger in South Dakota?
PIERRE - With the state legislature about to take up the question of allowing armed personnel in schools, it is worth considering the influence of the National Rifle Association on South Dakota politics.