Please take a few minutes to both pray and take action on these important issues. Then, forward this e-mail on to like-minded friend, family, churches and associates.
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men [or women] to do nothing.” -Edmund Burke
STOP COMMON CORE! STAND WITH DAN!
HB1223 is an Act to end the state’s involvement with Common Core State Standards and to prohibit the adoption of certain multistate educational standards.
HB1223 failed in House Education Committee, but was “smoked out” by Rep. Dan Kaiser. The Committee sent the bill to the House with a “Do Not Pass” recommendation. Before the full House can debate and vote on the bill, they must vote to “strike the not.” If that is successful, HB1223 will be heard in the full House on Tuesday, February 24. Click here to listen to Rep. Kaiser’s brief request for the “smoke out.”
TAKE ACTION! STAND WITH DAN!
We are inviting you to come to Pierre TOMORROW to show your respectful support for HB1223. You may visit with your legislators in the House Chamber before 11:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m., they go to caucus, and the session begins at 2:00 p.m. Your presence would show support for “Stop Common Core” and HB1223 if the gallery were packed with citizens who STAND WITH DAN in stopping Common Core!
Click here to read CWA of South Dakota’s Fact Card on Common Core.
Contact your two representatives and urge them to Vote YES on HB1223. Provide a brief reason for your position. If you don’t know who your representatives are, then click here to find out.
If your time allows, thank each of the representatives who stood in support of Rep. Kaiser: Wiik (R – District 4), Marty (R-District 28B) , Bolin (R-District 16), Haggar (R-District 10), Klumb (R – District 20), Zikmund (R – District 14), Rasmussen (R – District 17), Craig (R – District 33), Greenfield (R – District 2), Haugaard (R – District 10), Verchio (R – District 30), Russell (R – District 30), Anderson (R – District 16), Heinemann (R – District 8), Stalzer (R – District 11), Qualm (R – District 21), Hickey (R – District 9), May (R – District 27), Campbell (R – District 35), DiSanto (R – District 35), Latterell (R – District 6), Langer (R – District 25), Westra (R – District 13), Gosch (R – District 32), Beal (R – District 12), and Hunt (R – District 25).
VICTORY! 24/7 ALCOHOL BILL DEFEATED!
HB1123, the expansion of the sale, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages 24/7 in Deadwood, failed in the House this week. Check the votes here.
VIDEO LOTTERY EXPANSION
SB139 is an act to authorize the increase in the number of video lottery machines from 10 to 15 per establishment. CWA has continually opposed an expansion of gambling.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your senator and ask him to vote NO on SB139. Provide a reason for your position. If you don’t know who your senator is, click here to find out.
PRESERVE OPTION FOR RECONCILIATION
HB1221 is a bill about divorce. HB1221 would eliminate an option that should remain in statute regarding South Dakota divorce law. This option allows the abandoned spouse an opportunity to work for reconciliation of the marriage.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your two representatives and ask them to vote NO on HB1221 so the option for marriage reconciliation is not taken away. If you don’t know who your representatives are, then click here to find out.
NON-PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP/TEACHER GRANTS
SB189 will provide a tax credit to insurance companies that contribute to an organization providing educational scholarships to certain students and instructional supply grants to certain teachers and parents.
SB189 will provide scholarships to non-public school students who qualify. In addition, it will offer grants to public and non-public school teachers and home school parents for instructional supplies. We know that many teachers use their own private funds for classroom supplies or student prizes.
SB189 was heard in the Senate Education Committee, but did not receive a majority vote to pass. However, through some maneuvers (similar to a smoke out), SB189 will be allowed to come to the full Senate for a debate and vote on Tuesday.
Click here to read more about this bill and its concept.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your state senator and ask him/her to vote YES on SB189. When contacting your senator, please provide a brief reason for your support of this bill. This helpful website explains more fully this wonderful opportunity in education for our students and teachers.
RELIGIOUS/CONSCIENCE PROTECTION
HB1220 is an act to provide the free exercise of religion. HB1220 is necessary to protect the liberty of all South Dakotans to live their faith without fear of government retaliation. HB1220 was heard in House State Affairs Committee Friday, February 20. More testimony will continue on Tuesday along with the committee vote.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your two representatives and urge them to vote YES on HB1220. If you don’t know who your representatives are, then click here to find out.