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Republicans Hajek, Holien Reject SB 128

Sanity, sweet sanity... from Republicans!

Rep. Anne Hajek (R-14/Sioux Falls) finds Senate Bill 128, which would protect bullying based on sexual orientation as a perfectly reasonable expression of religious freedom, just one example of "scary" legislation with which her party embarrasses South Dakota:

"The media picks up on these bills and people think about moving to South Dakota and they say, 'Oh, crazies are out there," Hajek said.

At Saturday's Legislative Coffee, Hajek spoke openly about the Senate Bill 128, calling the bill quote "scary." She isn't backing off those comments.

"Discrimination is so near and dear to my heart that I am very troubled that anyone would propose that legislation," Hajek said [Leland Steva, "Republican Lawmaker Disgusted with Legislation," KELOLand.com, 2014.02.03].

Thank you, Rep. Hajek.

Also earning kudos for Republican sanity is Sen. Ried Holien (R-5/Watertown), who responds to anti-SB 128 petitioner Alexis Krivoshik with this apology for sponsoring SB 128:

I want to apologize to everyone on this list that my name is attached to SB 128. In the first few weeks of session, we get presented hundreds of bills to sign on. In this case, I was in two different conversations and signed on thinking this was a different bill. Please look at my legislative history and see that I have no history of sponsoring similar bills.

I wish I had a better excuse, but I don't. I wish I could remove my name from this bill, but I cannot at this time. Please know that I will vote against it if I have the chance.

Please know that I am sincerely sorry.
Sincerely,
Ried Holien
State Senator, District 5 [Change.org, 2014.02.03]

Apology accepted, Senator Holien, with great relief. I am deeply heartened to know that there are some legislators, like Rep. Hajek and Sen. Holien, who seem less interested in fighting the culture war and more interested in doing serious policy... for all South Dakotans.

23 Comments

  1. Nick Nemec 2014.02.04

    I predict many Republicans will come to their senses and vote against SB128. It'll suck the oxygen out of the room for awhile and eventually die a sad, whimpering death.

  2. John Tsitrian 2014.02.04

    Jensen is scheduled to have a cracker-barrel in Piedmont Saturday. Kevin tells me that he and Josie will be there. Might attend myself. Should be interesting.

  3. Charlie Wheeler 2014.02.04

    Please give me the time and location of said cracker-barrel in Piedmont.

  4. mike from iowa 2014.02.04

    @ Charlie Wheeler-American Legion Post 311,Piedmont Saturday,Feb 8th,2:30-4:30 PM. District 29 and 33 legislators invited. SD Wildlife posted this.

  5. Charlie Wheeler 2014.02.04

    Thank you! I will be there.

  6. John Tsitrian 2014.02.04

    A contingent from the Madville Maniacs would make for a nice show of interest.

  7. Dave Baumeister 2014.02.04

    Anne and Ried… I am proud to call you both my friends!

  8. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.04

    Maniacs? What kind of South Dakotans do you think we are, John? :-)

  9. Lynn G. 2014.02.04

    Madville Maniacs I like that! lol :)

  10. owen reitzel 2014.02.04

    There will be a Cracker Barrel in Alexandria at the Hanson School Library at 10 a.m. in the Community Room. District 19.
    Everybody invited to come

  11. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.04

    Lynn, time for me to start selling t-shirts with "Madville Maniacs" on them? Can we print them in time for the crackerbarrels this weekend?

  12. John Tsitrian 2014.02.04

    lol, Cory. Thought you'd get a kick out of that one. Madville Mob might fit better on a Tee, though. Maybe you could superimpose a pitchfork over it!

  13. Lynn G. 2014.02.04

    Corry I think you should print T-Shirts. It would be great advertising and hopefully bring even more diverse contributors to the blog.

    John keep those ideas coming! Madville Mob with a pitchfork. lol

  14. Lynn G. 2014.02.04

    Cory* Sorry slightly dyslexic this morning.

  15. Roger Cornelius 2014.02.04

    This Madville Maniac can't make the Piedmont cracker barrel. Please make a video

  16. Dave Baumeister 2014.02.04

    I would pay ready money for a Madville Maniacs sweatshirt (it's too cold for T-shirts)!

  17. Dave Baumeister 2014.02.04

    Just read the rest of the string… I think I like Madville Mob better. Implies there are a lot of us! Madville Maniacal Mob Member?

  18. Deb Geelsdottir/ 2014.02.04

    Put me down for a sweatshirt too. Do you think Bill Fleming would design it for us? How cool.

  19. Jana 2014.02.10

    What is tragically funny or ironic is that the media are jumping on criticizing Putin for his handling of the Olympics and celebrating sticking a finger in his eye over his neanderthal views on gays and at the same time freaking out over a top NFL prospect coming out. What will people think?

    South Dakota GOP...passing Putin's law even became a topic on the priority list of what's important for South Dakota.

  20. Jana 2014.02.10

    Want to watch heads explode in SD...and who doesn't?

    Ask your friend (or KELO as a preview of their upcoming story on gays in the NFL) these two questions.

    "What do you think of Russian President and sworn enemy Vladimir Putin's views on gays and the Olympics?"

    Then cover yourself like you are in the front row of a Gallagher concert and ask this:

    "What do you think of a gay man being in the NFL?"

    Good to note that the civilized world condemned Putin.

  21. Jenny 2014.02.10

    Darn, Jana, I thought for a second those Gallagher boys from Oasis had stopped fighting long enough to go on tour again!

  22. Gayle - PrairieLady 2014.02.14

    Over the last weeks I have read numerous articles and comments on this bill and a number of bills in other states that discriminate.
    Could someone tell me how the business owner knows who is gay or not gay? What if they make a mistake and the straight person is very upset?
    Would this mean all LGBT people would need to get a tattoo on their hand or carry a card?
    Personally I really think these businesses who do not want to serve or employ gay people need to register and it should be posted on a website, and there must be a sign on the front door, so we who do not have the same beliefs, or are gay (or support the gay community) know immediately we are not wanted.
    If you are going to be able to protect your religious beliefs, then I should be able to protect mine too.

Comments are closed.