shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com February 12, 2019 • Page 3 Noem Vetoes Bill Regulating Solar Energy Gov. Noem has vetoed Senate Bill 14 and sent the following message to the South Dakota Senate: Dear Mr. President and Members of the Senate, I respectfully return to you Senate Bill 14 with my VETO. Senate Bill 14 is an Act to define solar energy facilities and to establish certain provisions regarding solar energy permits. This bill creates unacceptable ambiguity and confusion over the Public Utilities Commission’s authority. Even though the Legislature has expressly prohibited the Commission from mandating the specific location of an energy facility, as we conducted a detailed legal review of the enrolled bill, it became apparent poor drafting in this bill gives the Commission that authority for solar energy projects. Previous legislative changes in 2005 and 2006 added definitions of “wind energy facility” and “AC/DC conversion facility” to SDCL 49-41B-36, avoiding this ambiguity. The Commission should not be in the business of picking locations for solar projects, but the enrolled version of this bill permits it. I do not believe this was the Legislature’s intent. I also question the need for additional PUC regulation of solar generating stations. These facilities are already covered under the more generic definition of an “energy conversion facility,” in the Code. I am very concerned by a number of bills this session that increase state regulation of renewable energy projects without appearing to have a tailored connection to protecting public interest. The renewable energy industry, just as any other, should be sub- ject to only as much regulation as is necessary to promote the public interest and preserve our environment while making South Dakota an attractive place to do business. Senate Bill 14, as well as several other Commissionauthored bills regulating the renewable energy industry, were introduced without meaningful consultation with industry or other opportunity for comment ahead of time. I believe strongly government’s exercise of regulatory power must be transparent and subject to meaningful debate. Our focus should be on finding common ground between regulators and industry, making for stronger outcomes and preserving our state’s reputation as a premier place to do business. There is no reason why the Commission couldn’t work with industry and other stakeholders to find a compromise solution to this issue and others. As a state, we have been blessed with significant wind and solar resources. We should continue to benefit greatly from billions of dollars in completed and planned investments. The renewable energy industry has already invested heavily in South Dakota, and continued investment depends on common sense, transparent, and customized regulation. I do not believe Senate Bill 14 or the process that led to its introduction meets these basic standards. For these reasons, I oppose this bill and ask that you sustain my veto. Kristi Noem Governor As Americans, More Unites Us Than Divides Us By Sen. Mike Rounds President Trump recently delivered his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. Our Constitution requires the president to provide Congress with an update on the state of our union each year. Throughout our history, some presidents have opted to deliver their messages in person and others have sent in written messages. However, for the past 100 years, it has become the norm for presidents to deliver the message in person. I appreciated hearing from President Trump about his vision for the country, especially his message that we can accomplish much more if we work together. In his address, the president called on Congress to set aside differences and work in a bipartisan manner to tackle the tough issues before us. I wholeheartedly agree. We can be principled in our beliefs while also working with those who may have different opinions than we do. Our founding fathers would never have been able to write the Constitution if they refused to indulge the views and opinions of their colleagues. It’s important we remember much more unites us than divides us as Americans. All of us want to make our country safer, freer and more prosGovernor Kristi Noem today announced the selection South Dakota Bar in 2003 and worked as a law clerk to the perous for future generations. of Christina Klinger to serve as judge for the Sixth Judicial judges of the Third Judicial Circuit until August 2004 when As the president said in his State of the Union address, Circuit. she joined May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson. we should continue to focus on the future. We can do this “I am confident Christina is committed to equal justice Klinger is a member of the State Bar of South Dakota by enacting policies that further grow our economy and under the law,” said Noem. “Her background and experiand is admitted to practice before the courts of the State strengthen national security--which includes border secuence have prepared her well for this position, and I know of South Dakota, the US Federal Court District of South rity. We must also work to make sure all Americans have she will uphold the law.” Dakota and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is also access to affordable health care and prescription drugs. Klinger was born in Wagner, South Dakota. After a member of the South Dakota Defense Lawyers AssociaIn South Dakota, agriculture is our state’s economic graduating from Wagner High School, Klinger attended the tion and previously served as President of the Sixth Circuit engine. We will continue working to open new markets University of South Dakota where she obtained a degree in Bar Association. for our products through strong, fair trade agreements. psychology and criminal justice as well as her Juris Doctor Klinger resides in Pierre where she has pursued a genImproving our country’s aging infrastructure system and from USD School of Law. eral area of law practice with an emphasis on criminal law, addressing the student loan debt crisis are two other While in law school, Klinger served as a volunteer with family law, worker’s compensation, and insurance defense. areas where I believe we can find bipartisan solutions. the East River Legal Services pro bono project and was acThe Sixth Judicial Circuit Court is served by four circuit I thank the president for prioritizing these important tive in the Women in Law Society. She was admitted to the judges and one magistrate issues in his annual address to Congress and the nation. The American people expect results, not rhetoric. I’m ready to work with anyone – on either side of the aisle – to tackle these issues head-on. We are currently in a situation where we have a divided government—Republicans control the Senate and the White House, and Democrats control the House of Representatives. That doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish meaningful changes for the American people. We’ve had a productive two years. We’ve cut taxes for middle class families, eliminated thousands of burdensome federal PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota recently spiked,” said state Labor and recourse if issues arise,” said Bankregulations, confirmed more than 80 fair-minded judges to Department of Labor and Regulation Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. ing Director Bret Afdahl. “I encourage our nation’s federal courts, made more resources availacautions consumers about unlicensed “Unlicensed lenders are operating in consumers to contact our office first ble for our men and women in uniform and made it easier money lenders, both online and inSouth Dakota.” and exercise good judgment.” for American families and small businesses to access person. Consumers should confirm a The Division of Banking is charged credit through their local financial institutions. I believe All lenders providing payday loans, lender is licensed by viewing the curwith the regulation and supervision of we can build on our accomplishments. It may not be easy, short-term consumer loans, title rent list of licensees on the Division of state chartered and licensed financial but all of us were elected to make changes. That means December to maintain stability 16 17th • 1-3:00PM loans or installment loans to South Banking’s website at dlr.sd.gov/bankinstitutions, 2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th,andth &working together for the betterment of the country, not Dakota residents must be licensed by ing. Any unlicensed lenders offering public confidence in state-chartered by abandoning our principles, but by building consensus Bring Your Cameras! the South Dakota Division of Banking loans should be reported in writing institutions and to protect public to move our country forward. per SDCL 54-4-52, unless specifically using the online consumer complaint interests. exempt in SDCL 54-4-37. form. “Consumer inquiries and com“Consumers who borrow from plaints about money lenders have unlicensed lenders may have limited Noem Selects Sixth Circuit Judge Consumers Should Beware Of Unlicensed Money Lenders Always LOW Liquor Prices! Winter Can Do Terrible Things To Your Roof Call to get on our SPRING 2019 List Now! • NO OBLIGATION Inspection & Estimate • Insurance Preferred Contractor • Licensed / Bonded / Insured 1600 Whiting Dr., Yankton, SD (605)857-1472 “We’ve Got You Covered” See Us Online @ www.moodymotor.com MOODY MOTOR CO. MATT MOODY ALAN KEMP OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MATT SCHAA Monday thru Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. • Sunday: Noon - 4:00 p.m. 1-800-745-5650 Niobrara, Nebraska Business? Phone?402-857-3711?•?1-800-745-5650 www.moodymotor.com •Busch & Busch Light 30 pks ........... $15.79 •Old Milwaukee & Light 30 pks ........$14.99 •Miller High Life & Light 30 pks ........$14.99 •Bud & Bud Light 24 pks ........................$17.99 109 W. 3rd St. • 605-665-7865 * Yankton Meridian District * www.yanktonrexall.com