shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com December 13, 2016 • Page 7 Finishing Strong And Looking Ahead By Sen. John Thune I’ve worked hard over the last two years delivering on my promise to help get the Senate working more efficiently and effectively for the people of South Dakota. Because when hard-working taxpayers ask themselves if Washington is listening – if Washington is paying attention to their struggles – I want them to know the answer is yes, loud and clear. An accountable government begins with accountable representatives, and my work in Washington is committed to that end. One of the most effective and gratifying ways for me to be responsive to South Dakotans is to fight for policy initiatives that correct problems they’ve encountered or help avoid those problems from happening again in the future. The work I’ve done to help prevent future out-of-control prescribed burns is a good example. The Pautre fire was supposed to be a small 100-acre prescribed burn in Western South Dakota. And while prescribed burns can be an effective land management tool, this particular fire did far more harm than good. Because of unsafe fire conditions, the fire quickly grew beyond the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS’s) control and torched 16,000 acres of public and private land and destroyed millions of dollars of property along the way. Thanks to legislation I authored, the USFS will now be required to consult with state and local officials – the people who know the land better than anyone else – prior to starting a prescribed burn in South Dakota or any other state when fire danger is extreme and conditions are unsafe. It’s a common-sense idea that will have a real and meaningful impact on ranchers and property owners with property adjoining or near USFS land. Another good example is my nearly year-long fight to ensure South Dakota schools that depend on the Impact Aid program didn’t face hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding cuts, which would have had a negative effect on the students those schools serve. I teamed up with a bipartisan group of senators whose states would have also faced massive funding cuts to correct an error in the law and protect these schools and students. These are just a few items Congress tackled in the final days of the 114th Congress, and there are a lot more wins where these came from. We’ve been able to get a lot of big things over the finish line over the last few years, and in the areas where there’s more work to do, I’ll keep my nose to the grindstone, continuing to work hard to deliver the positive results South Dakotans want and expect. Insurance Division, NAIC Circuit Court Issues Launch Nationwide Life Preliminary Insurance Policy Locator The South of Insurance National Injunction AssociationofofDakota Division policy locator.and theservice Insurance Commissioners announce the availability a life insurance This provides nationwide access to assist in finding a deceased In Initiated person’s lost life insurance policies and annuities. “Many people don’t know searching Measure 22 aDirector Larry Deiter. “Theor where to beginstatelocatorfor lost life insurance policy annuity,” said Insurance life insurance policy and simplifies Lawsuit streamlinescompanies.” the process for consumers and insurance Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Dec. 8 that Circuit Court Judge Mark Barnett has issued a preliminary injunction in the Initiated Measure 22 lawsuit. “It is my duty and responsibility as Attorney General to defend measures adopted by the voters and I will continue to do so,” said Jackley. Initiated Measure 22 was approved by the majority of South Dakota voters last month as an act to revise State campaign finance and lobbying laws, create a publicly funded campaign finance program, create an ethics commission, and appropriate funds. Consumer requests are encrypted and secured to maintain confidentiality. Participating insurers will compare submitted requests with available policyholder information and report all matches to state insurance divisions through the locator. Companies will then contact beneficiaries or their authorized representatives. The new tool builds on life insurance policy locator programs developed separately in a number of states before the launch. Insurance questions or concerns can be directed to the Division of Insurance at 605-773-3563 or insurance@state. sd.us. 319 Walnut St. Yankton, SD 57078 605-665-5884 An Overview Of The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposal By Gov. Dennis Daugaard: The week of the annual Budget Address is always a busy time in the Capitol Building, and this year is no exception. The halls are filled with Christmas trees and with hundreds of visitors who come to see them. We also welcome newlyelected legislators, incumbents, and those whose legislative service is ending, to discuss the state budget for the upcoming year. After the address, I travel to different parts of the state for my budget tour where I lay out the good news and the bad news of South Dakota’s economy. The news came as no surprise to those who attended Tuesday’s Budget Address. Our state’s revenue for the first several months of the current fiscal year has fallen short of projections, in large part because of lower sales tax collections. Recent revenue weakness is a problem many other states share. The good news is that the South Dakota Council of Economic Advisors projects South Dakota will see steady but slow economic growth in the next few years. According to the council’s economic forecast, although farm income is weak, nonfarm income is expected to grow at rates that are near historical highs. Additionally, the state won’t need to spend all of the money that was appropriated by the Legislature last year. Total state spending in the current budget year is projected to be $34.7 million less than what was budgeted last session. Over the past several years, the state has also received stocks in the unclaimed property fund, and converting those stocks to cash will also generate funds on a one-time basis. Through these savings, the state will be able to meet the revenue shortfall and appropriate modest increases for our priority areas. For the upcoming fiscal year, I am proposing a 1 percent increase for education, health care providers and state employees. I am also proposing that the state add more money to our rainy day funds. It has been my goal to keep the state’s reserves at 10 percent of general fund spending, and right now the reserves are at 9.8 percent. I am recommending that the state add $2.4 million of one-time money to reserves to bring the funds back to the 10 percent level. Among the 50 states, the median rainy day fund is 5 percent. I am also recommending that we use one-time money to help fund the state Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, which is South Dakota’s animal health laboratory, located on the SDSU campus. The lab’s purpose is to provide critical research and diagnostic support to protect our citizens and livestock industry from disease outbreaks. Most recently, the lab responded to outbreaks of Avian Influenza in poultry and PEDV in swine. The facility is out of date and needs to be modernized to meet operating standards. Given our current revenue situation and what other states are dealing with right now, South Dakota is fortunate not to be looking at spending cuts or freezes this year. It is thanks to our adherence to conservative budget practices that, even in a year like this one, we are in a position to balance our budget and slightly increase spending for education and Medicaid. I look forward to a good debate about the proposed budget with the Legislature and the public over the next few months. AUCTIONS REAL ESTATE RENTALS AUTOMOTIVE EMPLOYMENT MERCHANDISE COUPONS the Missouri Valley Shopper and missourivalleyshopper.com is your complete source for buying and selling. fcsamerica.com THERE’S A REASON REAL ESTATE BUYERS LAND WITH US. When you ?nance farmland with us, you aren’t just another customer – you are a customer-owner. So along with our attractive rates and exceptional terms, you get a voice in how we work and a share of what we earn in the form of cash-back dividends. Call us to learn more. YANKTON OFFICE: 605-665-9675 OR 800-658-3631 Everything you need is just a click or call away! Want your business to be seen? Get your display ad here! Call 605-665-5884 Or Drop By At 319 Walnut St. Place an ad today by calling 605.665.5584 MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Annual Holiday Farm Toy & Advertising Holiday Sale & Clearance 30% Off • Scarves, Hats, Gloves • Shawls, Leggings, Boot Socks • Purses • Christmas Cards • Christmas Decor • Fashion Pouches • Fashion Accessories Saturday, December 17th • 10am & Sunday, December 18th • 11am 40% Off Located: Wakonda Legion Hall, Wakonda, SD (Illume &Vance Kitira) Saturday’s Auction—All Farm Toys! All Brands! Featuring the estate of Pillar Candles 50% Off Fall Decor (Final Markdown) 65% Off Dot Items Only Shop now for Best Selections 605.925.4200 • Main St. • Freeman, SD www.vintagevaultonmain.com Bill Brinkman of Yankton, SD. Pedal Tractors too! Nearly 500 pieces! Sunday’s Auction: Annual Holiday Sign, Advertising & Man-Tiques Auction! Gas, Oil, Auto, Mobil, John Deere, Oliver, Seed & Feed, lots of Beer signs including Hamm’s, and more! Perfect opportunity to pick up something unique for that special collector on your Christmas list! Join us for lunch & Christmas treats both days too! A special way of saying “Thank-you” to all our local customers—you are the best in the world! Call today for a free, full color brochure on any of these auctions or see our website for 100’s of photos. Live Internet bidding available through www.GirardBid.com! Bid there without being there! Girard Auction & Land Brokers, Inc. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com Marv Girard, BA; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE; Mike Girard, CAI, BA; Scott Moore, Auctioneer