Representative Frank Kloucek is getting out and about to listen to his District 19 constituents before the 2012 Legislature convenes. After eight pre-Christmas meetings around his district, Rep. Kloucek is stepping out next week, January 4, to hear from citizens in Parkston, Freeman, and Marion.
Rep. Kloucek says his December town halls brought out concerns from voters about education funding, the ability of schools to charge fees to recover costs for driver education, and increasing health insurance rates for self-employed rural folks. Rep. Kloucek is eager to hear more from his constituents on January 4.
Below is his press release:
Rep Frank Kloucek Public Listening Meetings Scheduled
For Immediate Release: Thursday December 22nd 2011
For more info contact Rep Frank Kloucek 583-4468Rep Frank Kloucek {D} Scotland announced today that he will be holding a series of Public listening meetings Wednesday Jan 4th 2012. The public is welcome to participate. " This is an excellent opportunity for constiuents to give their input in preparation for the upcoming 2012 Legislative session," said Rep Kloucek
Wednesday Jan 4th
- 9 a.m. Ampride C store Parkston
- 2 p.m. Ampride C store Freeman
- 3:30 p.m. Buds Tavern Marion
Meanwhile, one of Rep. Kloucek's potential opponent for re-election in 2012, Rep. Stace Nelson, is telling voters what he thinks in a legislative forum far away from either his current District 25 or the newly drawn District 19 that he will share with Rep. Kloucek. Rep. Nelson is joining Rep. Ryan Maher and Rep. Lance Russell to meet with citizens at the Golden Corral on Lacrosse Street in Rapid City tonight, with dinner at 5 p.m. and formal program at 6 p.m. Gordon Howie is hosting and moderating tonight's discussion. Howie has invited local legislators, but no one on the program represents voters in the neighborhood where the meeting takes place. Here's Howie's press release:
PRESS RELEASE December 26, 2011
For Immediate release
Contact Person Gordon Howie
CEO Life and Liberty Group
Contact number (605) 381-3998Life and Liberty Group is sponsoring a Pre-Session Legislative Forum on Dec. 27, 2011.
- Place: The Golden Corral, 1180 N. Lacrosse St., Rapid City
- Time: Dinner at 5:00 p.m., meeting at 6:00 pm
Keynote Speaker Representative Stace Nelson
Topic: Abuse of Power by Republican Leaders in PierreOther speakers include Senator Ryan Maher on efforts to increase sales tax, and Representative Lance Russell on repealing Obama Care in South Dakota.
The forum is open to the public, and will be moderated by Gordon Howie, CEO of the Life and Liberty Group.
I'm glad to see at least some legislators getting out to hear from voters before the session, even if those voters aren't from their own district. I've received no such town-hall announcements from my District 8 legislators or my reps in Congress. More legislators should be hitting the gas stations and diners before session to get a feel for what they hath wrought and what they ought wreak.
Cory, why bother?
Let's get real.
Here's what will happen: They will vote the party line dictated to them by their leadership. That is the system. The individual legislators have very little choice in what they do. At best they might be able to modify bills.
Let us hope that the Republican Party leadership does a good job this year in Pierre. Even with all of the misgivings I have about the political process, I believe that lawmakers in our state have the best interests of SD at heart. I may not agree with them all the time, but I have faith that they will not cause self destruction like those in Congress do.
"I have faith that they will not cause self destruction like those in Congress do."
The legislators in Pierre are getting their marching orders from DC.
More legislators should hold listening meetings. Each legislator should act independently as to how they view issues. Towing the party line should not be the requirement of good legislator. While we are at it, the political causcuses of each party should be open to the public and press. What happens to South Dakota should not be decided daily in closed session where just republicans meet. If it's good enough for South Dakota, it deserves the "sunlight" of public exposure. Until these sessions are open, I will reserve my judgment that all legislators are acting in the best interest of South Dakota. Good leaders lead by character and trust-not by positioning for a title and the bridle and reins that go with it.
Good for them! Rep. Noem should be ashamed of herself.
Steve, that is a load of crap. The political parties here actually do work unlike Congress.
Most stuff gets done behind closed doors. That has been the American way from day 1 in both parties. You are not going to change it.
No way does it make it right--closed sessions that is. What's the difference if the orders come from Boehner or the Republican leadership in Pierre? I certainly would not be endorsing Pierre politics with"Home and Garden Seal of Approval".
Michael, SB38 was implementation of Obamacare. By 2014 Medicaid will grow by 50% thanks to implementing Obamacare. That is why they want to raise sales tax 25%. DC puts nearly twice as much money into the South Dakota budget that what the state does. Why is the drinking age 21? Why are re required by law to wear seat belts? Money from DC. Money from DC. I rest my case.
Obamacare was crafted behind closed doors and passed without anyone understanding it...by Democrats. It might well work much better than what we have now, but we aren't sure if it is even constitutional. Don't you think that it would be a smart thing to figure that FIRST?
Charlie, Democrats would do the same thing the Republicans are doing if they were in power in Pierre: have closed door meetings. It isn't going to change. That is how things get done by keeping the party members in line to get the votes to pass legislation. How ugly would it be if we saw the fights that go on that we will never know about?
In South Dakota, "Obamacare was crafted behind closed doors and passed without anyone understanding it"…by Republicans.
Perhaps because South Dakota has more complete idiots who can't take 10 seconds to save their own or some other driver's life? Perhaps because it saves taxpayers a pot of money at nearly zero cost. Something like 3000 miles of 2-lane highways would have to be upgraded to interstate standards to get the same results.
Demented ignoramuses in the SD legislature delayed seat belts for 10 or more years thus wasting lives equal to one or two small towns.
SD Republican legislators are experts at pandering to the lowest possible intelligence and most ignorant yet able to barely mark a ballot.