Latest news with #SenateLocalGovernmentCommittee
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With governor's veto, all three child care proposals stymied during 2025 legislative session
Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, testifies to the South Dakota Senate Local Government Committee on Jan. 22, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has vetoed a bill offering financial assistance to a broader swath of child care workers. Rhoden's Wednesday veto of House Bill 1132 closes the book, for now, on all three child care bills drawn up by a task force convened to study ways out of the state's affordability and access woes – and the resultant difficulties for workplace recruiters. Lawmakers could override Rhoden's action with a two-thirds vote of each chamber when they gather on March 31 to consider his vetoes. HB 1132 would open up child care tuition assistance to full-time child care workers if their household incomes are 300% of the federal poverty line or less. The subsidy is currently available to any households at 209% of the poverty level or below. Child care bills fail but give rise to optimism about study and task force In a letter to lawmakers explaining his veto, Rhoden said he didn't feel an expansion of the subsidy program was fair to all South Dakotans. 'This would be the first time in South Dakota that our state safety net programs would give enhanced benefits to people working one type of job or occupation,' the governor wrote. He also cited the lack of an appropriation to cover additional costs for what would have been an expanded program. Supporters had urged their fellow lawmakers to think less in terms of fairness to all occupations and more about the practical impact of this particular flavor of preferential treatment: More day care openings for parents all across the state. Laws similar to HB 1132 have been used in states like Kentucky and North Dakota to help child caregivers afford their own child care, thereby allowing them to stay at work and care for the children of others. 'We had hoped that our state could think about things differently,' said Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, who carried HB 1132 in the Senate and was co-lead of the task force. Kayla Klein, of the nonprofit group Early Learner South Dakota, called HB 1132 'a solution' that had proven its worth. 'I am disheartened by the decision, but want all of those providers, families and children out there to know that we will continue to search for solutions to make meaningful and impactful change,' Klein said Wednesday. The Senate's 20-14 passage of HB 1132 had stood as a bright spot for the advocates who've spent years looking for ways to open up more day care slots and hold the line on prices – sometimes high enough to make staying home with kids a wiser financial move for parents than working. Klein said after the Senate vote she was 'thrilled that the legislative body has taken the child care crisis and words from their constituents to heart.' 'This brings us one step closer to stabilizing the child care industry — the workforce behind the workforce,' Klein said at the time. Reed had carried that message on the Senate floor, and the message carried the day in spite of opposition that sounded much like Rhoden's reasoning for the veto. Sen. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, argued that it's unfair to give a 'carve out' to day care workers and not workers in other fields. 'The one group that I think should be included in this are our teachers,' he said, referring to K-12 teachers. 'Why don't our teachers get a break on their child care?' Some lawmakers in the House had similar reservations. 'We in the Legislature, and most certainly those of us serving on appropriations, know full well that child care is not the only sector of our economy that is struggling to build and maintain the workforce,' Rep. Jack Kolbeck, R-Sioux Falls, said on Feb. 19. The other planks of advocates' hoped-for child care platform had less success. On Feb. 20, the state Senate's budget committee voted 5-3 against pitching in more state dollars to the subsidy program. The subsidy bill would have upped payments to families who get child care assistance. In South Dakota, the federal grant funds that support the subsidy pay up to 75% of the market rate cost – a rate calculated biennially – for child care. The task force had hoped to bump that up to 90% of the market rate, getting closer to covering the cost of care. 'If we're going to provide assistance, we should do it at the market rate,' Reed told the Senate Appropriations Committee. There's a delicate dance to setting child care rates, according to Kerri Tietgen of EmBe, a nonprofit with two large centers in Sioux Falls. 'The true cost of child care continues to rise, driven by increasing wages for child care, teachers, higher food prices and the need to maintain a safe and enriching environment for children,' she said. 'Our organization continuously looks for ways to offset costs, but like many providers, we're stuck between rising expenses and the ceiling of affordable rates for families.' But South Dakota can't afford to spend more on child care subsidies, said Jason Simmons of the state Department of Social Services. The state can only get $32 million in federal money for the subsidy, Simmons said, and already has to chip in an $800,000 match to receive that. Because of the cap on federal dollars, the state would need to come up with $8.25 million to cover everyone who's eligible at the higher rate. Since the state can't afford to make up the difference, Simmons said, the subsidy change 'would greatly reduce the number of people that are eligible for the program.' South Dakota already does a better-than-average job with reimbursements, he said. Federal guidelines suggest that a state reimburse at 75% of the market rate, and South Dakota is one of just 17 states to 'reimburse that high.' 'South Dakota isn't often mentioned as one of the top states in the nation for reimbursement rates, and we are in this area,' Simmons said. Sen. Taffy Howard moved to defeat Reed's bill. The Rapid City Republican said she's suspicious of subsidies and questions whether the state ought to have a role in child care. 'We have to admit this is a welfare program, and our nation is broke,' Howard said. Before using his carve-outs argument on the Senate floor against HB 1132, Jensen voiced it during panel discussion of the proposal to extend child care help to graduate students, Senate Bill 118. 'I'm concerned that it's another carve out where we expect the entire state to pay for a few people's needs,' Jensen said Feb. 5, when the bill had a hearing with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Lawmaker proposes bills to increase child care affordability, sustainability based on new report SB 118 aimed to adjust an existing 'carve-out' within the child care subsidy program. Undergraduate students who have children and fit income guidelines can access the subsidy under current law, regardless of how many hours they may work between classes. Income-eligible graduate students with kids can't, however, unless they work 80 hours or more a month. SB 118 would have changed that by opening the subsidy up to income-eligible grad students with a combined total of 80 monthly hours at work or in class. Sen. Sydney Davis, its prime sponsor, told the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 2 that the state ought to encourage grad students with kids to better themselves. People with master's degrees contribute to the state's economy and fill important roles that South Dakotans with less education cannot, she said. But Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff called SB 118 'a boutique tweak' to the law. He told the committee he understands that graduate student parents might have difficulties, but said they're also in a more privileged position than undergraduates. 'But we do say no, an awful lot, and that is an ongoing thing in our stewardship of the safety net,' Althoff said. 'We have set clear, bright lines.' The committee sided with Althoff and defeated SB 112 on a 5-3 vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed Texas law would crack down on cities not enforcing state homeless camping ban
The Brief Senate Bill 241 proposes measures to crack down on cities that do not enforce the state's homeless camping ban. If cities don't uphold the ban, the bill says the Texas Department of Public Safety can come in and enforce it, Advocates for the homeless are worried the legislation won't actually help fix the problem. AUSTIN, Texas - It's been more than three years since Austin voters banned homeless camping in the city, and a statewide camping ban went into effect. However, camps remain in many areas, and now a new bill in the legislature could put pressure on cities like Austin to remove them. What we know The Senate Local Government Committee took up Senate Bill 241 on Monday afternoon to crack down on cities that do not enforce the state's homeless camping ban. S.B. 241 specifies that a "local entity may not prohibit or discourage the investigation or enforcement of violations of the public camping ban following official, written complaints made by a person." If cities don't uphold the ban, the bill says the Texas Department of Public Safety can come in and enforce it, and the state can withhold sales tax from the city to offset the cost. Under the legislation, cities can establish designated camping areas, but they must be approved by the state. What they're saying "This is a law that's not being followed," said the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton). "That's not fair to the citizens, both those that have homes and those that are homeless." "We were grateful for the state for for basically backing what voters demanded. Unfortunately, the enforcement aspects of that state law, I think were not strong enough," said Matt Mackowiak, co-founder of Save Austin Now. "It's another example of the state of Texas doing the job the city of Austin has been unable or unwilling to do," said Mackowiak. The other side "They want to make an example of Austin," said Austin Mutual Aid executive director Sasha Rose. Advocates like Rose are worried the legislation won't actually help fix the problem. "What are we criminalizing, really? We're criminalizing poverty. We're criminalizing our most vulnerable communities," said Rose. Some are worried SB 241 will create more barriers for people trying to escape homelessness. "I'm concerned that it will limit the ability of someone who works in law enforcement to show a little discretion and help people when they can, instead of issuing a citation," said Texas Homeless Network president and CEO Eric Samuels. The backstory In 2021, Austin voters approved Proposition B, which outlawed camping on public property. City to enact four-phase plan to reinstate camping ban Leaders, community react to Prop B passage, camping ban reinstatement Prop B passes, reinstates camping ban in downtown Austin Soon after that, the legislature passed a statewide camping ban. While many encampments have been cleared out, hundreds remain across Austin. What's next Austin is already using the Marshaling Yard and converted hotels for shelters, but people on both sides of this bill agree more needs to be done. "I would like to see our city investing in increasing shelter beds at a much more rapid rate," said Rose. Temporary emergency homeless shelter extends stay at Marshalling Yard New trade school at Austin homeless shelter hopes to give purpose, jobs to residents Marshalling Yard temporary shelter funded through September 2025 "Build more permanent, supportive and deeply affordable housing," said Samuels. "We want our homeless individuals to be safe and sheltered, but we want them to be receiving services," said Mackowiak. The Source Information in this report comes from reporting by FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill could help Alexandria develop business park
ANDERSON — A bill introduced by Sen. Mike Gaskill could allow the City of Alexandria to annex about 460 acres for use as an industrial park. Senate Bill 491, authored by Gaskill, R-Pendleton, would allow Alexandria to annex the property south of Poet Biorefining, even though it's not adjacent to the city limits. 'Alexandria came to me and asked for help,' Gaskill said. 'It would allow for a business park and the property would be identified and useful for the county.' The bill was recommended for passage by the Senate Local Government Committee on Thursday. Gaskill said it would apply only to Alexandria and not all of Madison County. He said Alexandria is not interested in annexing residential property in the area. Gaskill said some property owners with farm ground could be interested in selling the ground. Alan Moore, director of economic development for the city, said the site has hosted several visits for possible development. 'The marketplace is very competitive,' he said. 'We want to get the property zoned properly and allow us to attract a development.' Moore said the site has all city utilities. 'We're confident,' he said. 'There is support at the Statehouse, and this would allow us to get the property rezoned. 'We will continue to market the site,' Moore added. He said there have been no complaints concerning the proposal. 'Without zoning in place, it creates a challenge of being competitive,' Moore told Indiana Inside Business. 'So that's the obstacle that we're looking at.' Moore said the business park could be expanded near the site in the future. If the bill is passed and signed into law, Moore estimates that it could take about a year for the annexation to be completed. 'It's important for the community,' he said. 'Obviously, there's jobs. There's also tax revenue, which benefits the school system. The entire community benefits from having a strong industrial base. "There are some smaller communities that have successfully brought in companies, so Alexandria is trying to do that in order to lift up the entire city and the entire community.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission budget review bill passes out of committee
A bill requiring the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission to submit an annual budget to the Lake County Council passed out of committee Tuesday. Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, and Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, authored Senate Bill 40 that would require the commission to submit an annual budget before Sept. 1 of each year for a nonbinding review. The bill would also require the commission to submit an annual expenditure and activity report to the council before Nov. 1 of each year. The bill would go into effect July 1 if signed into law. The Senate Local Government Committee amended the bill to change language stating the council should approve the commission's budget to nonbinding review of the budget. At the Local Government Committee, Dernulc testified that the commission hadn't done anything wrong. Dernulc said he was the commission's president and hired the current executive director. 'The purpose of this bill is just to give some type of oversight to an elected body for review,' Dernulc said. 'This will also keep some transparency for the commission.' The bill was then reassigned to the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy, which approved the bill Tuesday. Niemeyer said Tuesday the bill would require the commission to present the council with its budget similar to the way the library, township trustees and other organizations do. 'I think it's a good transparency bill because it's on the taxpayer's bill. Six of the councilmen are (representing) part of the Little Cal Basin so they should be able to look at that budget every year and look at the expenditures,' Niemeyer said. The bill passed 13-0 out of committee Tuesday. It will now move to the whole Senate for consideration. Dan Repay, the executive director of the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, said Dernulc has talked to the commission about the bill. 'We understand that people want to see what's going on and we don't have an issue with doing that,' Repay said of submitting reports and a budget to the council. The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission manages a flood control project and works with the communities along the watershed to make sure the water stays and moves where it is supposed to, Repay said. The commission has been transparent, Repay said, with meeting videos posted to its website. Repay said the commission will track the bill as it moves through the legislature, and if it becomes law, the commission will follow it. 'We're watching it, but we're still remaining focused on what we have to do here. It's not going to change what we do on a daily basis,' Repay said. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
13-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission budget review bill passes out of committee
A bill requiring the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission to submit an annual budget to the Lake County Council passed out of committee Tuesday. Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, and Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, authored Senate Bill 40 that would require the commission to submit an annual budget before Sept. 1 of each year for a nonbinding review. The bill would also require the commission to submit an annual expenditure and activity report to the council before Nov. 1 of each year. The bill would go into effect July 1 if signed into law. The Senate Local Government Committee amended the bill to change language stating the council should approve the commission's budget to nonbinding review of the budget. At the Local Government Committee, Dernulc testified that the commission hadn't done anything wrong. Dernulc said he was the commission's president and hired the current executive director. 'The purpose of this bill is just to give some type of oversight to an elected body for review,' Dernulc said. 'This will also keep some transparency for the commission.' The bill was then reassigned to the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy, which approved the bill Tuesday. Niemeyer said Tuesday the bill would require the commission to present the council with its budget similar to the way the library, township trustees and other organizations do. 'I think it's a good transparency bill because it's on the taxpayer's bill. Six of the councilmen are (representing) part of the Little Cal Basin so they should be able to look at that budget every year and look at the expenditures,' Niemeyer said. The bill passed 13-0 out of committee Tuesday. It will now move to the whole Senate for consideration. Dan Repay, the executive director of the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, said Dernulc has talked to the commission about the bill. 'We understand that people want to see what's going on and we don't have an issue with doing that,' Repay said of submitting reports and a budget to the council. The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission manages a flood control project and works with the communities along the watershed to make sure the water stays and moves where it is supposed to, Repay said. The commission has been transparent, Repay said, with meeting videos posted to its website. Repay said the commission will track the bill as it moves through the legislature, and if it becomes law, the commission will follow it. 'We're watching it, but we're still remaining focused on what we have to do here. It's not going to change what we do on a daily basis,' Repay said.
