Meet the Candidate: Terri Jorgenson
Jorgenson seeking one of two seats in three way race
Terri Jorgenson is one of three candidates seeking two House seats in District 29.
The district includes Sturgis, and stretches as far to the northeast to include Faith. Kathy Rice and incumbent Gary Cammack are also running for the House in this district.
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:
City of residence: Piedmont
Profession: Retired Air Force Officer (experience includes environmental public affairs)
Public service/community service experience: I served as a precinct committeewoman for Meade County. I’m the former vice chair of the Meade County Republicans and former vice president of the Meade County Republican Women.
Family information: Married with two adult children.
1) What's the government's role in facilitating economic development in South Dakota?
Government’s role is to get out of the way and not make business difficult. Cut red tape and allow businesses to keep more of their profits.
2) If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I'd have dinner at a campground with my dad who died of cancer in 2010. He was the world's best fisherman, so we'd have fresh caught fish over the fire followed up with smores. I’d give him a big hug and tell him how much I missed him. He’d say, “that’s because you’re not even aiming.” At the end of the meal, he’d kiss my forehead and say, “I’ll see you in the funny papers.” It’s something I say to my three-year-old granddaughter all the time. She has no idea what it means but thinks it’s hilarious. I know my dad would get a kick out of meeting her and his other two great granddaughters. It’s all about those priceless family moments and memories of gooey marshmallows.
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?
This legislation violates two of my core principles: local control and protection of private property rights. I have serious concerns about eminent domain being used for private gain. Voters should absolutely have their voices heard about this matter, especially since this will affect landowners across the state. After listening to over three hours of testimony, I’m surprised it passed. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, after weeks of hearings, denied permits to the carbon pipeline companies. Then the Legislature took it up. As a former lobbyist at the State Capitol, I know how the process works. I don’t think this legislation was ready for prime time. I’m concerned about unintended consequences. How much electricity and water will these plants use? Our electric grid is already vulnerable, how will the excess use of electricity at the pumping stations affect outages and home use costs? They also need massive amounts of water for cooling, how will that affect our aquifers? More importantly, how will this precedence impact landowners with eminent domain requests coming from industries such as wind and solar farms? What will happen to the family farms and ranches?
