Commentary by Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA On December 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission jointly issued brand new merger guidelines. The question many are asking is: “So what?”

Because of the Homestead Act, public land passed into private hands so quickly that by 1885 all Dakota east of the Missouri River was settled. Settlers came by the thousands to their new “El Dorado.” They quickly filled the river bottoms and areas along the major steams. They then pushed out across the plains which resulted in the “Dakota Boom of 1878 – 85.”

Gregory County Historical Society to meet Wed. The Gregory County Historical Society will meet on Wednesday January, 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

The bill to cut unemployment insurance employer contributions by 0.5%, HB 1011, goes into effect on January 1st, 2024. This bill delivers an $18 million tax cut for South Dakota businesses.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! Soon, I will be headed back to the halls of the State Capitol to represent you in the upcoming 99th legislative session. In 40 legislative days, we will vote on hundreds of bills in committee and on the Senate and House floor. I am again entrusted by senate leadership to chair Health and Human Services. I will also again sit on the State Affairs and Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Another 365 days have passed, and a lot happened in Gregory during that time. Here’s a look at some of the events.