Never thought I'd see this alliance.
Tourism Interests and the Farmers Union
I was up early this AM letting my woofing dog out, and checked the Rapid City Journal's website while I'm still in Brookings. And what do I spy but the announcement of this little alliance:
The very business oriented tourism interests have now allied themselves with the agrarian oriented Farmers Union. If this is the case, we can assume that the petition effort has been floundering and they need an existing organization to put signatures on paper.
Why is it floundering? Well, why wouldn't it be? In effect, they are bucking the trend of South Dakota Schools and the State Board of Education to require MORE education. And this measure wants to limit the amount of time they have to do it in.
I predict it's going to fail at the ballot box if it makes the petition deadline.
But if I'm wrong and it somehow passes? Well, then watch for the school year to go well into June. If you can't get the time on the front end, school boards will get it on the tail.
And SPEAKING OF INITIATED MEASURES.. Here's the petition text for two of the latest, and less than greatest measures as posted on the Secretary of State's Website:
The "Don't like the state laws on gambling? Change them" measure which will allow Texas hold 'em tournaments, and legalize cash prizes for chess contests and fishing tournaments (like they needed it) has its language available for viewing here. (pdf file)
Even worse, Democratic Activist Reynold Nesiba's petition to limit the scope of use for state vehicles can be found here. (.pdf alert). Not just satisfied with using it as a political poke against the Governor, he's going after all state employees.
Why do I think that, you might ask?
It limits the scope of any state vehicle use to state business, or with permission, between home and work, or if you're on the road, with permission you can use it to go eat. A violation is a $1000 civil penalty in addition to it being a class 2 misdemeanor.
My response? Are you kidding me?
I've worked for the state on and off during my professional career, and it's required me to take state vehicles to places overnight. According to this, solely with permission, outside of job duties, state employees are supposed to use the car solely go to the hotel or eat - and according to law, THAT'S IT.
Because it's a $1000 fine if you go to Walmart to get the toothbrush and socks you forgot to pack. If you're stuck in a town for 2 weeks, and find you want a book to read - forget it. Because it's a crime if you drive to the bookstore.
Heck, according to this poorly worded ballot initiative, if I shut my finger in the car door, and need to go to the emergency room, I'd better add the $1000 civil penalty to the bill - because it's not included as permissable in the law.
My thoughts? Will it even make it on the ballot? I wouldn't want to be Ron Volesky trying to woo regular State or Public University employees with this being pushed by members of my party.
Farmers Union collects signaturesRead the short little article here.
SIOUX FALLS (AP) — Organizers of a petition drive to put a later school start on the November 2006 general election ballot said that the South Dakota Farmers Union will help collect signatures.
The very business oriented tourism interests have now allied themselves with the agrarian oriented Farmers Union. If this is the case, we can assume that the petition effort has been floundering and they need an existing organization to put signatures on paper.
Why is it floundering? Well, why wouldn't it be? In effect, they are bucking the trend of South Dakota Schools and the State Board of Education to require MORE education. And this measure wants to limit the amount of time they have to do it in.
I predict it's going to fail at the ballot box if it makes the petition deadline.
But if I'm wrong and it somehow passes? Well, then watch for the school year to go well into June. If you can't get the time on the front end, school boards will get it on the tail.
And SPEAKING OF INITIATED MEASURES.. Here's the petition text for two of the latest, and less than greatest measures as posted on the Secretary of State's Website:
The "Don't like the state laws on gambling? Change them" measure which will allow Texas hold 'em tournaments, and legalize cash prizes for chess contests and fishing tournaments (like they needed it) has its language available for viewing here. (pdf file)
Even worse, Democratic Activist Reynold Nesiba's petition to limit the scope of use for state vehicles can be found here. (.pdf alert). Not just satisfied with using it as a political poke against the Governor, he's going after all state employees.
Why do I think that, you might ask?
It limits the scope of any state vehicle use to state business, or with permission, between home and work, or if you're on the road, with permission you can use it to go eat. A violation is a $1000 civil penalty in addition to it being a class 2 misdemeanor.
My response? Are you kidding me?
I've worked for the state on and off during my professional career, and it's required me to take state vehicles to places overnight. According to this, solely with permission, outside of job duties, state employees are supposed to use the car solely go to the hotel or eat - and according to law, THAT'S IT.
Because it's a $1000 fine if you go to Walmart to get the toothbrush and socks you forgot to pack. If you're stuck in a town for 2 weeks, and find you want a book to read - forget it. Because it's a crime if you drive to the bookstore.
Heck, according to this poorly worded ballot initiative, if I shut my finger in the car door, and need to go to the emergency room, I'd better add the $1000 civil penalty to the bill - because it's not included as permissable in the law.
My thoughts? Will it even make it on the ballot? I wouldn't want to be Ron Volesky trying to woo regular State or Public University employees with this being pushed by members of my party.
Comments
Faremers Union has had tourist buses. Not sure if that didn't turn into a big money sink, but with that background, a link between them and tourism isn't too surprising.
Farmers Union is interested in making the Huron State fair viable..FU is headquaretered in Huron and fair is related to ag. Tourism industry would like a few more days of tourist season and a few more days of cheap help.
Not too surprising to see these changes.
What would be surprising would be changes that made some sense and be related to the school year. Such as having classes on Saturday when the weather is good in the spring or fall so that no lots need to be cleared of snow and minimal extra heating or cooling would be required.