I’m writing this as I make final preparations to travel to Pierre to represent District 17. As I have stated, it is humbling to have been chosen by the wonderful constituents of our communities. This journey started about this time last year. I have worked to fully understand this district’s challenges and opportunities during that time. It was great to meet and talk to so many people. I gained perspectives I will take with me to Pierre.
The foundation of my campaign focused on:
1. Opportunities for future generations of South Dakotans.
2. Transparency and accessibility to voters and constituents.
3. Appreciating and continuing the values which make this a great state to live, work, and raise and family.
As I work through the legislative process, these themes will remain at the forefront. These are the principles I am committed to, and I intend to keep them.
It was an honor to be selected by my legislative peers for the appropriations committee. This committee operates differently than the policy committees and is primarily charged with crafting the budget for the next fiscal year. This committee meets every day to hear testimony from the different state agencies. The governor is required by law to recommend a budget, and she presented her budget in December. The appropriations committee and the legislature must now consider those recommendations and craft a balanced budget. This means a balanced budget free of accounting tricks and other tactics that pass the burden of overspending onto our kids and grandchildren. The budget should reflect what our constituents value.
Because the economy in South Dakota is robust, we have a budget surplus. I look forward to conversations and debates on how best to employ these funds for the betterment of our citizens.
As I stated earlier, transparency and accessibility are essential to me. Reaching out with questions, concerns, and opinions is the best way for me and my fellow legislators to understand how our constituents feel about the issues. I’ve appreciated hearing from all of you and take your thoughts to heart. Some pivotal topics will be debated during the upcoming session, such as sales tax reductions, property taxes, eminent domain, and abortion. There will also be issues that get fewer headlines but will still impact you and our state. Please reach out and share your opinions. My cell phone number is (605) 670-9698, and my email address is chris.kassin@sdlegislature.gov. Due to the sheer volume of calls/texts/emails, I respond to District 17 constituents first.
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