Meet the Candidate: Tom Pischke

Pischke seeking second-term in South Dakota state Senate

Sen. Tom Pischke is seeking re-election to the South Dakota state Senate in District 25. He faces former lawmaker Jordan Youngberg in his bid.

The district picks up north of Sioux Falls, and includes the communities of Dell Rapids, Flandreau, and Renner.

The Dakota Scout sent a series of questions to all legislative candidates running in contested races for the state House and Senate in the June 4 primary election. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each question to 150 words or less.

Age: 42
City of residence: Dell Rapids
Profession: System Quality Analyst
Public service/community service experience: Six years in House of Representatives and now two years in the state Senate
Family information: Wife – Lisa, Children – Jayden, Gavin, Brooklyn, Preston, Dogs – Kota & Berkley

1) What's the government's role in facilitating economic development in South Dakota?

The Government’s role in economic development should be limited to ensuring that we have low taxes with business-friendly regulations where business can thrive with our hard-working labor force.  Too many times, our State Government gets in the business of picking winners and losers in places and projects where the free market should ultimately determine the outcome.

2) If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with our Lord and Savior, the only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, because to be in the presence of such holiness would be awe inspiring event.

3) Does the "Landowner Bill of Rights" -- adopted by the Legislature amid opposition to carbon pipeline companies using eminent domain -- strike the right balance between the interests of property owners, counties and the ag industry - and should voters get a say when they head to the polls in November?

No, SB 201 doesn’t strike the right balance.  In fact, it moves the balance in the wrong direction.  This is more Government interference and intrusion of private property rights in the name of economic development for Summit Carbon Solutions.  Yes, the people should have the chance to veto SB 201 in November and I hope enough signatures are obtain for that to happen.