We are in the final week of a historic and unprecedented legislative session unrivaled by any in South Dakota statehood. Through all the fights, the final and most important will be to decide what to do with the amount of one-time, never-seen-before surplus dollars.

Some of the most significant legislation that will literally transform our state and many of our lives, includes:

Expanding broadband

Legislation to authorize up to $100 million to bring sustainable, high-speed internet to every home and business in South Dakota will transform the connectedness of our state, similar to how railroads of the 19th century or the national interstate system of the 1950s changed the connectedness of our nation.

Think about the possibilities. Off the top of my head, I envision our lives improving in at least four ways. First, by expanding the reach of personal applications like Skype. 

Creating a broadband coverage grid that allows every single South Dakotan the opportunity for face-to-face communication with family and friends will provide interpersonal, social, and psychological benefits. 

Think about what it would mean to live in a remote area without internet and suddenly being able to hook-up with dear loved ones through new internet connections.

Second, lives will improve through expansion of tele-medicine applications. Imagine living in the most rural parts of South Dakota but now being able to access top-notch medical consultations in Sioux Falls or the Mayo Clinic without ever leaving home.

Third, lives will improve through expansion of tele-business applications, including tele-agriculture. The potential seems as unlimited as a businessperson’s or farmer’s imagination.

Last, lives will improve through expansion of tele-education applications to allow all South Dakota students – even those in remote parts of the state - to complete their homework, participate in distance learning and access online resources that enhance their education.

Expanding broadband creates jobs, expands careers and opportunities, and enables workers to live anywhere in the state and work remotely or start a small business of their own and live in rural communities. It’s a game changer.

Improving educational opportunities

Two important education bills were passed this year. The first provides needs-based college scholarships. South Dakota is one of the few states that doesn’t currently offer a scholarship based on financial need. That’s about to change.

Under the legislation, South Dakota will contribute $50 million toward a $200 million fund, with the other $150 million coming from Denny Sanford and other private sources. Investment earnings from the fund will help pay for college educations for those low-income students who qualify for federal Pell grant assistance. This is a game-changer for South Dakota students.

The second bill reforms homeschool laws. It empowers parents to set their children up for success in the event they choose a homeschool option. 

We know that for the vast majority of children, public schools and public school teachers are the right ticket for success in life; but for some 7,000 kids, the home is the best environment for them to get an individualized education that fits their needs. 

This bill provides parents greater latitude to homeschool their children if they wish.

To everyone who wrote me on this issue, thank you. People on both sides wrote passionate emails. 

I counted the number of emails I received from teachers, superintendents and school board members. Thirty-seven wrote to ask me to vote no. On the other side, 334 parents wrote to ask me to vote yes. Many included adorable pictures of their children. This bill kept me up at night as I weighed the facts and prayed for wisdom.

In the end I voted to support the bill.

Rehabilitating Ft. Pierre-to-Rapid City rail line

This is another potential game changer for South Dakota, creating new business and manufacturing opportunities to move grain and freight from communities along the rail line between Ft. Pierre and Rapid City. 

Under the legislation, $20 million is slated to rehabilitate the rail line. This would allow for larger cars, greater applications, and faster speeds. The rehab of the line would expand access between communities along the line to our state’s second largest city, Rapid City, and, importantly, connect Rapid City to the national rail network. This would allow competitive access to the nation’s largest railroad lines and expanded access to U.S. and international markets.

That’s it for now. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you. My goal continues to be to help make South Dakota an attractive place for families to work, live and play. That means quality education, strong agriculture, and a good measure of freedom. I’ll never forget our debt to the men and women in uniform and those keeping us safe at home. I’d appreciate your feedback and advice throughout the session. 

Don’t ever hesitate to drop me a line at fred.deutsch@sdlegislature.gov.