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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

Senators Shoot Down Legis. Pay Bill

Kealey Bultena
/
SDPB

State lawmakers on the Senate Local Government committee say they don’t want to set up automatic pay raises for the legislature. Supporters of House Bill 1150 say the measure treats state lawmakers like all other state employees. That means they would receive a pay increase at whatever rate applies to South Dakota workers – whether that’s a large increase or none at all.

State Senator Craig Tieszen says he criticizes Congress for getting automatic raises and doesn’t support it at the state level. Tieszen says lawmakers should have to garner a two-thirds vote if they think they should make more money.

"No offense to the proponent, but I consider this a backdoor attempt to accomplish something that the legislature’s going to have to step up and do in a straightforward manner at a time when it feels that it’s ready," Tieszen says.

Other lawmakers on the committee agree. A majority of Senate Local Government members voted to send House Bill 1150 to the 41st day.
 

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).
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