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Local legislators optimistic that money will still be found for nursing homes

Aberdeen American News - 3/8/2019

March 07-- Mar. 7--Even with a bill for additional nursing home funding tabled, area legislators are confident some relief will come for such facilities this legislative session.

Several have noted the need for more state money for nursing homes and community support providers, which are facing a financial crisis. The Mobridge nursing home recently closed. Funding for those facilities was a topic last weekend at the final legislative cracker barrel on the Northern State University campus.

A bill proposed by District 1 Rep. Steve McCleerey, D-Sisseton, sought $8 million for nursing homes. But it didn't make it past a House committee hearing.

Sen. Susan Wismer, D-Britton, said at the cracker barrel that one-time funding isn't going to solve the problem. Nursing homes near state borders face an even more pressing issue, she said. They are competing with facilities that have much lower private pay rates, she said, making out-of-pocket costs lower.

Wismer said that a state funding increase for nursing homes would also mean more federal funding. For every 46 cents contributed by the state, she said, there would be a federal match of 54 cents.

She said that when legislators rejected McCleerey's bill, her impression was they weren't concerned with losing nursing home beds in South Dakota because that would mean fewer beds the state would have to help pay for.

Sen. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen, disagreed.

"I've never heard that senators don't care if they close," he said, referring to nursing homes.

Novstrup said conversations he's had with appropriators and others indicate nursing home funding is a priority.

"I think the increase will be better than we've seen in 17 years," he said. "It might not be enough, but it will be something."

Industrial hemp

Legislators were also asked if there's enough support to override a veto if the Legislature approves a bill that would allow the growing of industrial hemp and authorize the state Department of Agriculture to set up a licensing process.

The 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the controlled substance list, which means farmers can now grow it, but they must be licensed. Licensing requires a background check. The Senate approved an amended version of this bill Wednesday. The amended bill will go back to the House for consideration.

Carl Perry

Perry

Most legislators at the cracker barrel expressed support for it. The sole exception was Novstrup, who said he was undecided, but leaning yes.

Wismer she believes the House could easily override a veto. She said if the bill was going to be stopped, that would have happened in committee.

"The fact that they couldn't says a lot to me," Wismer said.

Rep. Carl Perry, R-Aberdeen, agreed there is support in the House to override a veto, if necessary.

Dennert

Dennert

Asked by an audience member if industrial hemp would provide an alternative for cropland that doesn't work well for corn or soybeans, Rep. Drew Dennert, R-Aberdeen, agreed it would.

"The short answer is yes," he said.

"If we can grow a product at home in South Dakota and use it in South Dakota and keep those dollars local, that should be the goal we all have," Dennert said.

WeisMug

Weis

Rep. Kaleb Weis, R-Aberdeen, said one of the biggest arguments against industrialized hemp has been how officials will regulate it on the highways.

"We'll have to find ways to address that issue," he said.

Juvenile justice

Legislators were also asked if the state made a mistake when changes were made to the juvenile justice system in 2015.

Novstrup introduced legislation this year that would give judges additional discretion in recommending Department of Corrections supervision for juveniles in cases in which all local resources have been exhausted.

Now, the Department of Corrections only supervises juvenile offenders convicted of violent or sex crimes, or those determined to pose a risk of physical harm to others.

The Senate version of that bill was rejected, but an identical bill introduced in the House passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

Novstrup acknowledged a mistake was made in 2015. Reforms were introduced, he said, because there were 1,100 juveniles incarcerated. Now, he said, there are 300.

"It should be about 330," he said giving the bill a 50 percent or better chance of passing the full Senate.

Follow @ElisaSand_AAN on Twitter.

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