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Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Which education bills received a passing or failing grade in the 2025 legislative session?
South Dakota's 100th legislative session proved to be a busy one for education. Of the more than 400 bills filed, a quarter of them touched on education in some capacity. From failed bills to make school board elections partisan or limit education lobbyists' funding, to attempts to defund an entire school district or use public money for private education, things got political. Rep. Phil Jensen, R-Rapid City, lost his vice-chair position on the House Education committee and shortly withdrew his bill to defund the Huron School District after public outcry. He initially brought the bill after Huron administrators opposed school choice bills and after he learned trans students were allowed to use the bathroom of their choice in Huron. Thursday marked the final regular day of the legislative session ahead of veto day set for March 31. That's when Gov. Larry Rhoden will have signed or vetoed several bills and the Legislature will come back to reconsider them. He already vetoed one bill, House Bill 1132, that would have expanded the state's child care assistance program for child care employees. Here's where things stand as of Friday morning. Multiple education bills were delivered to Rhoden's desk on Wednesday and Thursday and await his signature, including: House Bill 1040 would make students pay more, and let the state pay less, for students to take high school dual credit courses that give them college credit. House Bill 1041, which repeals some of the duties of the state library and its board, including providing certain specialized library services and operating a state publication library distribution program, but adding braille and talking book services. House Bill 1114 would give the South Dakota Board of Technical Education $4 million to purchase equipment for education in high-demand workforce fields like building trades, health care, welding, radiation and more. House Bill 1239, which would make public schools and public libraries create policies allowing people to appeal books to school and library boards to determine if they're obscene. Initially, the bill would have removed defenses for librarians charged with disseminating material harmful to minors. House Bill 1259 would segregate restrooms in public schools and state-owned facilities by sex assigned at birth. Opponents have called it anti-trans, and the Transformation Project has sent emails to allies telling them to ask Rhoden to veto the bill as former Gov. Dennis Daugaard did for a similar bill in 2016. Senate Bill 100, which would allow college students to concealed-carry firearms on the state's public technical college and university campuses with an enhanced permit. And, two bills containing the state budget, House Bill 1046 and Senate Bill 55. Three different school choice finance bills heavily opposed by educators and education lobbyists failed this session, including: House Bill 1009, which would have created $7,405 educational empowerment accounts in the form of a debit card for parents of students attending private school to spend on tuition, fees, textbooks and curriculum, educational therapies, testing fees, transportation, technology and more. It would have cost the state up to $160 million. House Bill 1020, which would have created $3,000 education savings accounts that parents of students in private or alternative instruction could have used in a South Dakota Department of Education account and marketplace on tuition, fees, curriculum, technology or testing fees. It would have cost the state up to $64 million. Senate Bill 190, which would have given property owners a property tax credit to use to cover education expenses like tuition, fees, textbooks, curriculum or more for any child age 5-18 in a nonpublic school or receiving alternative education, losing districts anywhere from $33 million to $126 million in revenue statewide. Two different bills that came as a reaction to the Sioux Falls School District and other local area schools switching to a cashless ticketing system failed, and one was signed into law. Those three bills are: House Bill 1017, which would have required school districts accept cash payments for admission to school events, failed to be reconsidered in the House. House Bill 1048, which would have required cash payments be accepted as payment for any goods or services sold to a customer under $100, was killed in the House Commerce and Energy committee. Senate Bill 219, which will require public schools and accredited private schools to accept cash payments for admission to school-affiliated events, was signed by Rhoden on March 11. Activities directors from the district have testified that people aren't turned away at the gate if they want to pay with cash, and said it isn't a large-scale issue or widespread community concern. Forty representatives voted to kill House Bill 1201, which would have alerted parents if their student talked to their school nurse, counselor, teacher, administrator or another school staff member about their gender identity. HB 1201 also would have prohibited school staff from teaching about gender identity and expression, encouraging or coercing a student to believe gender is different from sex, and not telling parents that their student perceives their gender is inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth. A similar type of bill, House Bill 1177, which would have prohibited school employees from facing disciplinary action if they misgendered a student or failed to call them by their current, preferred name, was killed in the House Education committee. Attempts to inject religion into public schools — by way of chaplains, the Ten Commandments and state motto 'Under God the people rule' — all failed this legislative session. So did a proposal to require education on the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings standards after similar bills failed in the 2021, 2022 and 2024 legislative sessions. Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-Sioux Falls, tried for a third time to remove costs for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and to reimburse districts who pick up those costs with state funds, but her proposal failed in the House Appropriations Committee. One new law: students 16 and older can withdraw from school if their parent, guardian or other custodian gives written consent after Rhoden signed Senate Bill 71 on March 5. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota education bills that passed or failed in the Legislature
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Dakota House fails to override child care subsidy veto from governor
South Dakota House Minority Leader Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls, speaks to members of the press on March 6, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre. Healy sponsored a child care assistance bill that was vetoed by the governor. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) The South Dakota House of Representatives failed to override the first veto of Gov. Larry Rhoden's administration on Thursday morning at the Capitol in Pierre. Lawmakers in the House spent around half an hour debating the possibility of reviving House Bill 1132's attempt to expand child care subsidies for child care workers and overruling the governor's Wednesday veto. In the end, the vote to overturn the veto failed 27-43. Because of its failure in the House, there was no need for the Senate to consider it. Thursday was the final day of the annual legislative session, except for a day on March 31 to consider any further vetoes from Rhoden, who is still considering bills. HB 1132's backers took issue with Rhoden's characterization of the bill as an unfair expansion of a social safety net program to people in a specific field. With governor's veto, all three child care proposals stymied during 2025 legislative session Parents in South Dakota with incomes at 209% or less of the federal poverty level are eligible for child care tuition assistance. The bill vetoed on Wednesday would have bumped that eligibility figure up to 300% for full-time child care workers. Child care workers who can't afford their own child care bills, the reasoning goes, cannot stay on the job and watch the kids of parents who can't work without child care. The hope would be for South Dakota to keep more child care workers on the job. 'When child care workers leave the workforce, the crisis deepens,' said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls. Opponents said they agreed with the governor. They didn't see the subsidy as fair to other families, worried about a permanent subsidy the state couldn't afford, and suggested that the bill would tip the scales in favor of one approach to child care. Rep. John Hughes, R-Sioux Falls, argued that lawmakers can't simultaneously be conservative and supportive of subsidies for a specific type of worker. 'That's why I respect the governor. I think he's well-stated the answer,' Hughes said. 'Don't buy into this. Don't buy into this idea that we're going to start subsidizing a group of, God bless them, child care workers. It's just a bad precedent.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House rejects veto override of child care bill
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — An attempt to override Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden's first veto failed Thursday in the South Dakota House of Representatives. A reconsideration of House Bill 1132 was debated after being vetoed by Rhoden on Wednesday. The bill failed to get through the House by a vote of 27-43, needing more than 46 votes to override Rhoden's veto. KELOLAND penny collectors in a pinch following Trump order HB1132 would seek to provide expanded eligibility for child-care workers to receive government assistance for care of their own children. On Wednesday, Rhoden explained his decision in a letter to lawmakers. 'This bill would give child care workers preferential treatment, by allowing them to receive this aid at a higher income level,' his letter stated. 'This would be the first time in South Dakota that our state safety net programs would give enhanced benefits to people working in one type of job or occupation, and it would transform this program into a long-term workforce subsidy rather than what its focus should be: temporary support for families in need.' KELOLAND News is getting reaction from child care advocates and will have more coverage of the veto online and on-air. In news release Thursday, Democratic Rep. Erin Healy said the veto was a huge mistake that hurts South Dakota families. 'Parents are already struggling to find affordable daycare. But they are met with long waitlists and not enough spots. This bill would have helped to expand the child care workforce, but now, more parents—especially moms—will have to leave their jobs because they can't find care,' Healy said in an emailed statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Rhoden vetoes bill expanding state child care assistance threshold
PIERRE — South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden shot down a bill which would have expanded the state's child care assistance program for certain child care employees. Rhoden vetoed an amended House Bill 1132, a proposed child care law that would have raised the federal poverty line for child care eligibility from 209% to 300% explicitly for people who work at least 30 hours per week at a licensed school daycare program, center or family home providing child care. The South Dakota governor wrote in a Wednesday statement provided by his office that his reasoning for torpedoing the legislation was because it would "shift South Dakota's child care assistance program away from its core mission." 'Currently, the program is designed as a safety net to help low-income families cover child care costs while they work toward self-sufficiency," Rhoden stated. "This bill would give child care workers preferential treatment, by allowing them to receive this aid at a higher income level.' This is the first bill Rhoden has vetoed as governor of South Dakota. More: South Dakota House passes bill establishing child care assistance for daycare workers In a letter to Speaker Jon Hansen and House members, Rhoden critiqued the bill further, saying it would "transform" the state's child care program into a "long-term workforce subsidy." He also explained he killed the bill over its fiscal aspects, since it lacked an appropriation to cover the cost of the program's expansion. "If just 5% of South Dakota's current child care workforce applies, the program will require an additional $3.8 million in state general funds. If half of the current workforce applies, the program grows by $38 million," Rhoden wrote. "The lack of new funding creates a zero-sum game, and this expansion would force reductions in benefits or waiting lists for the low-income families the program was originally designed to support." Others who voiced their opposition during this year's legislative session included Rep. John Hughes, R-Sioux Falls, who stated during last month's House hearing that HB 1132B would 'create winners and losers' by giving special treatment to child care workers and not other areas such as health care, education and service industries, all of which are also experiencing workforce shortages. The South Dakota Department of Social Services also opposed the bill, with Deputy Secretary and Chief of Operations Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger stating that the current 209% South Dakota federal poverty level for child care assistance equals about $67,000 per year for a family of four and $44,000 for a family of two. If the federal poverty line is raised to 300%, a family of four can earn up to $93,000 per year and $61,000 per year for a family of two. The South Dakota Legislature funds the state's child care assistance program each year through DSS, Tidball-Zeltinger relayed. Part of the funding comes from a federal block grant, but that grant is capped. To receive federal funds, the state must also contribute matching funds from its own budget. One of the bill's prime sponsors, Democrat Rep. Erin Healy of Sioux Falls, criticized the governor's decision in an interview with the Argus Leader Wednesday. Healy, House Minority Leader, called Rhoden's argument that the state would have to increase its budget "premature," as the state does not have a waiting list for child care assistance. "This veto sends a clear message … that we are willing to allow families to struggle, and that is unacceptable," Healy said in a phone call. "It's disappointing that these people who are taking care of children can't afford child care themselves. That's the true problem there." Healy has previously pointed to Kentucky, which passed a similar bill offering child care assistance to child care workers. This ultimately cost less than expected, she said, as many child care workers were already eligible but unaware of the assistance available. Rhoden also lauded the state Department of Social Services' ongoing work to address the child care shortage in the state by pointing to "industry standard" weekly payments for child care assistance, raised reimbursement rates for providers and the state's ChildCare605 Campaign, among other things. Healy contends the state hasn't done enough to address the child care shortage. More: 'We're in a crisis,' childcare leaders warn as options remain unaffordable for many "I'm looking at the solutions that they've addressed, and it's great that they're working on that, but it's not enough to address the child care shortage in South Dakota, specifically that child care is not accessible and … businesses can not afford to keep their facilities open." Both Healy and Republican Sen. Tim Reed of Brookings are members of the South Dakota Child Care Task Force, which formed in 2023. A report was released in January, stating that South Dakota's child care model is unsustainable, with providers closing due to financial strain. HB 1132 was just one of many moving parts in addressing child care in the state, by allowing 'the workers behind the workers' or those who are employed at early child care centers to be eligible for child care assistance. More: Task force releases first look at the state of child care in South Dakota Child care costs range from $7,000 to $14,000 per year, making it unattainable for low-income families. Additionally, child care workers earn an average of $12.67 per hour — far below the $19.58 living wage. This shortage further limits available child care spots, exacerbating the crisis. 'So how is somebody who is making that wage supposed to afford child care? These people are taking care of our children, but they can't even afford to have their children taken care of,' Healy said during the House session last month. When that happens, Healy said, child care workers leave the industry. The legislation will now require a two-thirds majority in both the state's House and the Senate chambers to be overturned. HB 1132 was one of the first bills expanding the state's child care assistance program to pass the House and Senate in a decade. But the bill received less than two-thirds of votes from members of both chambers, which means it is unlikely the legislature will vote to overturn the governor's veto. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Rhoden vetoes bill expanding SD child care assistance threshold
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Rhoden vetoes bill expanding state child care assistance threshold
PIERRE — South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden shot down a bill which would have expanded the state's child care assistance program for certain child care employees. Rhoden vetoed an amended House Bill 1132, a proposed child care law that would have raised the federal poverty line for child care eligibility from 209% to 300% explicitly for people who work at least 30 hours per week at a licensed school daycare program, center or family home providing child care. The South Dakota governor wrote in a Wednesday statement provided by his office that his reasoning for torpedoing the legislation was because it would "shift South Dakota's child care assistance program away from its core mission." 'Currently, the program is designed as a safety net to help low-income families cover child care costs while they work toward self-sufficiency," Rhoden stated. "This bill would give child care workers preferential treatment, by allowing them to receive this aid at a higher income level.' This is the first bill Rhoden has vetoed as governor of South Dakota. More: South Dakota House passes bill establishing child care assistance for daycare workers In a letter to Speaker Jon Hansen and House members, Rhoden critiqued the bill further, saying it would "transform" the state's child care program into a "long-term workforce subsidy." He also explained he killed the bill over its fiscal aspects, since it lacked an appropriation to cover the cost of the program's expansion. "If just 5% of South Dakota's current child care workforce applies, the program will require an additional $3.8 million in state general funds. If half of the current workforce applies, the program grows by $38 million," Rhoden wrote. "The lack of new funding creates a zero-sum game, and this expansion would force reductions in benefits or waiting lists for the low-income families the program was originally designed to support." Others who voiced their opposition during this year's legislative session included Rep. John Hughes, R-Sioux Falls, who stated during last month's House hearing that HB 1132B would 'create winners and losers' by giving special treatment to child care workers and not other areas such as health care, education and service industries, all of which are also experiencing workforce shortages. The South Dakota Department of Social Services also opposed the bill, with Deputy Secretary and Chief of Operations Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger stating that the current 209% South Dakota federal poverty level for child care assistance equals about $67,000 per year for a family of four and $44,000 for a family of two. If the federal poverty line is raised to 300%, a family of four can earn up to $93,000 per year and $61,000 per year for a family of two. The South Dakota Legislature funds the state's child care assistance program each year through DSS, Tidball-Zeltinger relayed. Part of the funding comes from a federal block grant, but that grant is capped. To receive federal funds, the state must also contribute matching funds from its own budget. One of the bill's prime sponsors, Democrat Rep. Erin Healy of Sioux Falls, criticized the governor's decision in an interview with the Argus Leader Wednesday. Healy, House Minority Leader, called Rhoden's argument that the state would have to increase its budget "premature," as the state does not have a waiting list for child care assistance. "This veto sends a clear message … that we are willing to allow families to struggle, and that is unacceptable," Healy said in a phone call. "It's disappointing that these people who are taking care of children can't afford child care themselves. That's the true problem there." Healy has previously pointed to Kentucky, which passed a similar bill offering child care assistance to child care workers. This ultimately cost less than expected, she said, as many child care workers were already eligible but unaware of the assistance available. Rhoden also lauded the state Department of Social Services' ongoing work to address the child care shortage in the state by pointing to "industry standard" weekly payments for child care assistance, raised reimbursement rates for providers and the state's ChildCare605 Campaign, among other things. Healy contends the state hasn't done enough to address the child care shortage. More: 'We're in a crisis,' childcare leaders warn as options remain unaffordable for many "I'm looking at the solutions that they've addressed, and it's great that they're working on that, but it's not enough to address the child care shortage in South Dakota, specifically that child care is not accessible and … businesses can not afford to keep their facilities open." Both Healy and Republican Sen. Tim Reed of Brookings are members of the South Dakota Child Care Task Force, which formed in 2023. A report was released in January, stating that South Dakota's child care model is unsustainable, with providers closing due to financial strain. HB 1132 was just one of many moving parts in addressing child care in the state, by allowing 'the workers behind the workers' or those who are employed at early child care centers to be eligible for child care assistance. More: Task force releases first look at the state of child care in South Dakota Child care costs range from $7,000 to $14,000 per year, making it unattainable for low-income families. Additionally, child care workers earn an average of $12.67 per hour — far below the $19.58 living wage. This shortage further limits available child care spots, exacerbating the crisis. 'So how is somebody who is making that wage supposed to afford child care? These people are taking care of our children, but they can't even afford to have their children taken care of,' Healy said during the House session last month. When that happens, Healy said, child care workers leave the industry. The legislation will now require a two-thirds majority in both the state's House and the Senate chambers to be overturned. HB 1132 was one of the first bills expanding the state's child care assistance program to pass the House and Senate in a decade. But the bill received less than two-thirds of votes from members of both chambers, which means it is unlikely the legislature will vote to overturn the governor's veto. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Rhoden vetoes bill expanding SD child care assistance threshold
