This is the second in the Dell Rapids Tribune’s “On the Ballot” series, which introduces our readers to District 25 candidates seeking election to the S.D. State Legislature. This week, the Tribune introduces you to Bill Laird and Tim Rave.

**BILL LAIRD**

District: District 25 House

Party: Democrat

City of Residence: Sioux Falls

Family: Anna Shaffer, my partner for 22-plus years and her three children: Kris, Sandra and Kirk.

Occupation: Currently retired; 17 years in customer service at Citibank in Sioux Falls in credit cards and student loans; 11 years at Nelson Labs, a veterinary supply firm servicing mostly large animal veterinarians; six years as a dispatcher for American Freight in Sioux Falls and Chicago.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in government and foreign languages.

State legislative experience: None.

What made you decide to run?

I feel the current legislature and administration is moving South Dakota in the wrong direction, and the state needs to invest its resources in areas and directions that will benefit South Dakotans in education and economic development.

What are your thoughts on HB1234 concerning teacher payment and school funding?

HB1234 (Referred Law 16) should be rejected by the voters so that the next legislature can get to work on programs that will truly improve and expand education in South Dakota. Merit pay does not work and is unfair in its application. School funding: First, don’t cut 52 million dollars from the education budget. Second, don’t take unexpected “bonus” money (like the $47 million the current administration found that they didn’t know they had) and ferret it away in the already sufficient reserve for “other” projects. Put it into education. If the administration wants to put money into economic development, they need to put it into the foundation of economic development – education and job skills. Third, haul back on corporate incentives (corporate welfare) and invest that money into education. Fourth, when the state can collect the proposed one cent increase in sales tax, ensure that that money remains for education and health care as it is intended and is not sidetracked into the general fund by future legislatures.

What are your ideas to bring economic development to small towns such as Baltic and Valley Springs?

To bring economic development to small towns, the state needs to help truly small businesses – main street businesses – with the types of loans they may not be able to get in the form of federal small business loans. The current administration seems overly willing to offer huge incentives to large out-of-state corporations while ignoring hometown interests.

What do you think are the top issues facing your district?

Other things the Legislature needs to address are true transparency in government functions and promotion of alternate sources of energy: Wind, ethanol and biodiesel. South Dakota will benefit form alternate forms of energy because (1) it will keep our state clean, and (2) we can produce it here and sell it, thereby creating new sources of income and revenue.

Anything else you would like voters to know?

Another important thing that the voters should know is that their votes count. They must get out and vote. If you do not vote, in reality, you really did vote. You voted for the candidate you didn’t want to win. As Rachel Maddow of MSNBC says, “If you do not vote, you’re fulfilling someone else’s plan.”

**TIM RAVE**

District: District 25 Senate

Party: Republican

City of residence: Baltic

Family: Wife, Lisa; children, Thea and Mitchell

Occupation: Operations Manager - Rural/Metro Ambulance

State legislative experience: 8 years serving as State Representative (2 years as Speaker of the House of Representatives); 2 years serving in the State Senate (Majority Whip)

What made you decide to run for office?

I have been a public servant for the past 20 years providing care the sick and injured working as a paramedic in the city of Sioux Falls and surrounding area. I truly enjoy working for others and public service is something I enjoy. Serving as a State Legislator has given me the opportunity to work for others not only on a local basis, but also in a statewide capacity.

What are your thoughts on HB1234, concerning teacher merit pay and school funding?

I think many facets of the bill have merit and trying to get $15 million extra dollars into the hands of teachers is admirable. The bill is much more than “merit pay”, as it attempts to encourage students to seek further secondary education and will help to increase participation in areas that we are in need. I think the bill has been misrepresented in many ways and one area is that it only helps math and science teachers. The bill actually allows school districts the latitude to work with the Department of Education to develop a plan that helps their district, i.e. if your district needs a history/government teacher, you can develop and propose a plan that will help your district attain one. All that being said, I think the main thing is for over 10 years we have talked about “moving education forward” and this bill does that. Is it a perfect bill, probably not but no bill is, this is a great starting point for bringing more money to teachers and helping to move education forward.

What are your ideas to bring economic development to small towns such as Baltic and Valley Springs?

I believe we have proven that by keeping our tax rates as low as possible and incentivizing business’s to move to South Dakota we have weathered one of the most challenging economic times in recent history. We have had our challenges but find ourselves in amongst the top in states that are ready to handle new business. During the past sessions, we have removed many burdensome regulations and we will continue to do so. The main thing we can do is to work together to find ways to encourage business to not only move to our smaller communities, but to find ways that state government can be of assistance, not a burden.

What do you think are other top issues facing your district?

With the pending implementation of the Federal Healthcare Act (Obamacare) we will be facing a large increase in the number of individuals that will be allowed access to Medicaid. This could be as many as 50,000 more individuals and with over 100,000 South Dakotans on Medicaid today, the increase on the state budget will be enormous. Now is the time that we HAVE to find ways to provide the care that low income individuals need, but in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible.

Anything else you would like voters to know?

The 10 years I have been honored to serve as a State Legislator, I have worked hard to be fair, effective and honest. I have tried to govern with integrity and common sense, and I believe it is for these reasons that my peers have selected me to be part of their leadership for 8 of those 10 years. I work well with others – of both political parties and I do not run down my opponents or speak negatively of others. If you honor me with your vote, I will be a common sense voice that will represent you effectively in Pierre.