Legislative Update with Chesney

​Top 5 things to know this week! Plus, your contributions can help ensure the credit union movement remains a powerful and influential advocacy force in 2024 and beyond.

by Chesney Garnos, Director of Political & Grassroots Affairs

This Week’s Top 5
5 things to know this week: advocacy meetings, Governor Noem’s budget address, South Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day, an update from Washington, D.C., and our Holiday Sweepstakes winners.

Connecting with Advocacy and Government Colleagues from Across the U.S.
Last week, I attended my first American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) Winter Conference in Dana Point, CA. It was surely one for the books! The views and weather were spectacular, but the best part about attending this conference was being able to meet and collaborate with my credit union colleagues from across the U.S. for the first time in person. While our group meets virtually every Monday, this was really an opportunity for us to not only get to know one another – but to explore new ideas we can bring back to our state. The three days were filled with working sessions, meetings, amazing speakers, and even better networking opportunities. 
                      Photo left shows Chesney with Jim Nussle and DakCU staff members; right with DakCU delegation. 

Looking Ahead to the South Dakota Legislative Session
Things are kicking into gear for South Dakota’s 99th Legislative Session. Last week, Governor Kristi Noem delivered her Fiscal Year 2025 budget address. The budget address happens every year right before the legislative session begins in January. Governor Noem titled this year’s address as “a budget that prioritizes the people”. There was three major proposals Governor Noem addressed in her budget address which included:

• A 4% increase of pay for educators, state employees, and care providers;
• Using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to support infrastructure funding, especially water related infrastructure;
• Setting aside funds to complete both men and women’s prison project.

She also warned lawmakers that special project funding was not in her approved budget for this year. If you are interested in listening to the entire address or have questions, reach out to me!
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Credit Union Legislative Day at the Capitol on January 24th, 2024
On Wednesday, January 24th, 2024, our team at DakCU will be hosting the South Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day in Pierre. This is your chance to meet legislators, learn about the history of our state, and promote our credit unions’ efforts to lawmakers. Make sure to register HERE so our team can get a head count for the fun day! 

What’s Happening in Washington, D.C.
This week, both the House and Senate are in session. The House will suspend the rules to consider the conference report to H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. We are currently monitoring to make sure no additional language is added to the NDAA that would raise credit union concerns.
The Senate has a busy week ahead! On the agenda for this week includes considering the NDAA conference report, judicial nominations, and supplemental spending legislation for Ukraine, Israel, and border enforcement.
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Last but certainly not least, Holiday Sweepstakes Winners Announced!
First, I want to start off by thanking all of you who contributed to our Holiday Sweepstakes! For those who participated, our team had the opportunity to draw the winners yesterday! Here are the 11 lucky winners!  
If you did not get a chance to participate in the sweepstakes but would like to help ensure our credit union movement remains influential in 2024, you can still make a contribution here. With continued threats of taxation always looming, your financial support helps ensure the credit union movement remains a powerful and influential advocacy force throughout 2024 and beyond.