You are browsing the archives of Gordon Garnos.
There was no right or wrong to next year’s state budget
The South Dakota Legislature held its last full week of session last week and it was described by one legislator as the “week in Hell.” That is because most of the week was centered around the state’s budget for the next fiscal year. Will Governor Rounds veto the budget, or parts of it? Will the legislative body override any vetoes? Read more »
Is our South Dakota Legislature a reflection of Congress?
The South Dakota Legislature is in the final throes of the 85th legislative session. Of course the biggest issue confronting our legislators is how are they going to balance the books when something like $40 million apparently is still out of sight. Maybe they have the answer but are keeping it a secret for a few more days. But the state’s budget deficit isn’t the only question out there and people are asking what about the others. Read more »
Some proposed legislation should not have to wait until next year
It seems we have heard a lot this legislative session that opponents to certain bills are saying, “We had better wait until next year before we should think about passing a certain bill into law. Perhaps things will be better then,” or “The state’s finances may be in better shape next year,” or tripe like that. Well, if history serves me right, that next year seldom ever gets to South Dakota. Case in point: The bill to remove the state sales tax on food. Read more »
Governor Rounds will need a lot of arms for the legislative session
Next Tuesday, Jan. 12, is the opening day of South Dakota¹s 85th legislative session. For weeks now about all we have been hearing is what a difficult session it will be because of the state being short of money and how difficult it is going to be to balance the budget that has to be done. That is because the state’s constitution says the budget must be balanced. But those won’t be the only issues facing our legislators. There are other needs our legislators need to look at as well. Read more »
Were Governor Rounds and Senator Thune politically correct?
It seems more expressions of “Happy Holidays” have been heard lately than ever before. But is “Happy Holidays” actually politically correct? Read more »
Pierre report tells story of tragedy across South Dakota
A recent report from the state Office of Highway Safety tells a story of tragedies that could have been prevented. The report tells the story of ruined Thanksgiving, Christmas and the new year holidays for this year and for many years to come for a number of South Dakota families. It tells of those who were killed in vehicle accidents last month because they were not wearing their seat belts. Read more »
Places, names add to the uniqueness of South Dakota’s history
The book, “South Dakota Place Names,” was published in 1941. It was compiled by the workers of the Writers Program of the Work Projects’ Administration (WPA) and sponsored by Edward C. Ehrensperger, at the time head of the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of South Dakota. Read more »
Some can’t see the good because of the mountains
Yes. We may have some difficulties with our personal mountains around here in our state of South Dakota. But, in spite of it all, we must be thankful for a God who cares about each of us and that we have the capability of caring for others. Read more »
Viking story needs to be retold to both North and South Dakotans
One particular winter in Norway a real long time ago, the Vikings were having a terrible time so they decided to go south for the rest of the winter. After landing on the north shore of Ireland, they liked it so well they decided to stay for a while. Read more »
‘Ruffled feathers’ is an understatement when it comes to South Dakota’s frugal funding
Governor Mike Rounds is making trips around South Dakota telling people that putting the budget together for the state’s next fiscal year is no picnic. In other words, things are tough at our state capitol. Read more »
Do you know what it means to be a veteran?
Veterans asked very little of their country, but gave everything they had. The least we can do is give them our sincerest “Thank you” for what they did to help keep our America free. Read more »
What ever happened to Please and Thank you in South Dakota?
Are South Dakotans falling down on just plain, good old fashioned courtesy? That will kick off this week’s column. No, not courtesy, but the lack of it. This will be followed by an unrelated tidbit that can stand some public discussion. The special legislative committee looking at ways to raise taxes voted last Wednesday to recommend to the full Legislature to raise South Dakota’s gas tax by 5 cents per gallon. Read more »
Loosened liquor laws will get more people tight
When the issues regarding the use of alcohol come up in the next legislative session, it’s a pretty fair assumption they will be some of the most emotional matters that will hit Pierre come January. They may even surpass the tears when the tax problems surface. Read more »
South Dakota legislators have a lot of bullets to bite
Biting the bullet is an old expression out West River way, but most South Dakotans should know that it means “get tough,” or “face reality,” or similar meanings. Our legislators have a lot of bullets to bite if they are going to get anywhere come January. Read more »
Thank God we don’t have a law like that in South Dakota
Can you imagine? There are an estimated 50 million Americans who live in communities that outlaw clotheslines. Yes, clotheslines. I couldn’t believe it, so I read on and you should, too. But a state senator from Vermont jumped right into the fray and got the Legislature out there to pass a law guaranteeing the right of every Vermonter to have a clothesline if she or he wanted one. Read more »
Memories flourish when South Dakota columnists remembered Kennedy
It’s been a few weeks since the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, but columnists across the country are still bringing up their remembrances of the powerful senator from Massachusetts. Most of them have been kind in not rehashing the Chappaquiddick tragedy of Mary Jo Kopechne. Several South Dakota columnists joined the chorus, reminding us of the Kennedys association with our state. They have brought up other memories for this old coot as well. Read more »
South Dakotans need to take a look at a four-letter ‘F’ word
Well, if the headline doesn’t bother you, perhaps the four-letter “F” word I am referring to will. Granted, there are a lot of “F” words out there and the one you probably are thinking of isn’t one that I am talking about. Yes, in this day and age we need to start thinking more about fear, or fears. There appears to be many of them that South Dakotas now need to concern ourselves with. Read more »
Gas tax increase just a proposal sounds a lot like hyperbole
The South Dakota legislative Joint Transportation Committee is searching for ways to raise more money to maintain our state’s highways and bridges. Raising the gas tax by 10 cents has been discussed, as has a 1% boost in the excise tax. Which way will they go? Read more »
Health care reform sounds like hide and seek in South Dakota
With government health care getting Americans–including South Dakotans–in an uproar, this year’s August Recess is turning into a game of “hide and seek” with our elected representatives who are trying to duck the ire of patriotic Americans. Read more »
Is the booze business in South Dakota slowing down?
Gordon Garnos examines the arguments pro and con for lowering the state drinking age to 18 under certain conditions. A key contention by proponents is that it will somehow save lives to lower the drinking age. Does that contention hold up in light of the data? Read more »
Some things in South Dakota still need a lot of debate
Gordon Garnos shares some thoughts on health care reform and rationing, the South Dakota smoking ban, education funding, and ethanol blends. Read more »
