Tag: south dakota

  • Sponsors of South Dakota medical marijuana initiative propose alternative implementation schedule after Gov. Noem proposed a 1-year delay

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    In November, South Dakota became the first state to vote on recreational and medical marijuana at the same election. Voters approved Initiated Measure 26 by a vote of 70% to 30% and Constitutional Amendment A by a vote of 54% to 46%. IM 26 was designed to establish a medical marijuana program in South Dakota…

  • South Dakota state House advances constitutional amendment requiring three-fifths approval for measures increasing taxes, fees or appropriating more than $10 million

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    The South Dakota House of Representatives approved House Joint Resolution 5003 on February 16 in a vote of 56-12. The measure would amend the state constitution to require a three-fifths (60%) vote for approval of any ballot measures (whether citizen-initiated or legislatively referred) that imposes or increases taxes or fees or appropriates $10 million or…

  • State court judge rules last year’s SD marijuana measure unconstitutional

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    On February 8, 2021, Hughes County Circuit Judge Christina Klinger overturned South Dakota’s 2020 marijuana legalization initiative. Klinger ruled that the measure violated the state’s single-subject rule. Klinger also ruled that the measure constituted a revision of the constitution rather than an amendment. South Dakota voters approved Amendment A by 54% to 46% on November 3. The…

  • Governors flex agency reorganization muscles

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    Governors in two states recently issued executive orders aimed at reorganizing agencies of the executive branch—with different results. The Vermont House of Representatives on February 5 voted 108-40 to block Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s (R) executive order that would have established a new state law enforcement agency. Scott’s executive order, issued on January 14, would have…

  • Crabtree replaces Youngberg in the South Dakota

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    Gov. Kristi Noem (R) appointed Casey Crabtree (R) to the South Dakota State Senate on June 19, one day after Jordan Youngberg (R) resigned to take a full-time position with the South Dakota State Treasurer’s office. Crabtree’s appointment to represent District 8 was effective immediately. Crabtree will serve the remainder of Youngberg’s unexpired term, which…

  • One South Dakota Supreme Court justice faces a retention election in November

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    One South Dakota Supreme Court justice, Steven Jensen, will face a retention election on November 3, 2020. He was appointed in 2017 by Governor Dennis Daugaard (R). Currently, every justice on the court was appointed by a Republican governor. The governor appoints the five justices of the supreme court through a hybrid nominating commission where…

  • South Dakota statewide filing deadline passes for independent candidates

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    On April 28, the independent filing deadline passed to run for elected office in South Dakota. Candidates filed for the following offices: South Dakota State Senate District 25 South Dakota State Senate District 35 South Dakota House of Representatives District 17 South Dakota House of Representatives District 29 Any candidate for nonjudicial public office who…