PIERRE, S.D. – Landowners across the state are joining for a rally in Pierre regarding local control over issues related to land-use and development.
The Property Rights Rally on Monday Jan 8, 2024 will begin at 12:00pm Central Time in the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre.
Spink County resident Ed Fischbach is one of the organizers.
“The things we’re hearing about coming up in the Legislature are measures that are going to affect our ability to have local control,” said Fischbach. “Taking the power away from townships and counties and placing it in the hands of somebody in state government is wrong,” he said.
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and the South Dakota Farmers Union are lending their support to the effort to keep local control of land use and development issues, in place.
Organizers believe lobbyists for several interests will be applying pressure on legislators to pass bills that give greater regulatory authority to the state.
According to SDFU President Doug Sombke, other organizations are joining the fight including South Dakotans First and Dakota Rural Action to “get people refocused on the issues of property rights and local control.”
The group says it’s important to attend the one-hour rally and upcoming legislative events during session.
“This isn’t just about the farmers and ranchers. This is about every South Dakotan,” said Sombke.
