Public records for everyone; but no guns

Today I was able to go to Newspaper Day, sponsored by the South Dakota Newspaper Association, at our state Capitol. I found it quite informative because I learned about some bills that will directly affect journalists in the state. For example, SB 147 will make more records public and may start a transition to more open government in South Dakota. The really exciting thing about this bill is that it is bi-partisan, meaning both Republicans AND Democrats are sponsoring the bill and are throwing their support behind it. Plus, the leaders of both parties sounded optimistic about the bill. Maybe this will happen after all! (Read more about SB 147 at the South Dakota Legislative Research Council Web site.)

On another legislative note, SB 82, the bill that would have allowed concealed weapons on campus failed today in the Senate. Despite the resounding 25-10 loss, this bill might come back. Last year, essentially the same bill, HB 1261, failed in the Senate State Affairs Committee, but the measure was later recalled and reconsidered by the committee. Then the bill was struck down again, basically for good that time. So given the emotional debate on the issue and the resilience of the bill last year, I wouldn't be too surprised to see more talk about SB 82 before the end of the session. (You can monitor SB 82 here. If you don't go directly to the SB 82 history page, search SB 82.)