Smilin’ Mike Rounds is just full of ample advice;
For that to happen, Rounds told lawmakers at the opening of the 2009 legislative session Tuesday, the Legislature will need to resist the urge to spend more.
Thanks Mike. Good thing there wasn’t a mirror in front of you when you said that, cuz it would have freaking exploded!
Rounds held out hope that money from a federal stimulus plan could help South Dakota with some of its backlog in highway and bridge projects, but he said an increase in federal funding won’t solve all of the state’s problems. He asked lawmakers to review the situation with highway funding before proposing any increase in the state gas tax.
Cuz, God forbid I have to get on my hands and knees and kiss Obama’s ass. Well you better start puckering up.
Legislators are expected to consider fee increases for government services and licensing across a broad spectrum, including vehicle registration costs. He warned lawmakers that groups affected by fee increases would lobby them.
“These people and groups will argue they’re special and should continue to receive special treatment,” he said.
Like all of your campaign contributors?
“The State of the State is traditionally a time when the governor presents new directions – new initiatives,” Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem said. “There was none of that.”
What governor are you talking about Scott?
Rounds compared several areas in South Dakota from where they were in 2002 – the year he first was elected – to where they are now. He said schools have made proficiency gains in both reading and math scores. And fewer high school graduates than before require remedial math and reading classes when entering college.
Yeah, test scores go up, when you don’t have all those High School dropouts bringing down your averages. South Dakota has one of the highest dropouts rates in the nation.
But in the end, the main concern for lawmakers isn’t what might be, but what is. And Rounds told lawmakers they would have to make tough choices.
“We can’t spend more than what we have,” he said.
Can you let Mayor Munson know that, I think he didn’t get the memo.