Meet the Candidate: William Shorma

Southeastern state lawmaker seeking return to Pierre

Rep. William Shorma is seeking re-election to the South Dakota House in District 17. Also running is Rep. Chris Kassin and Robin Schiro.

The district consists of the bottom southeast corner of the state, reaching down into North Sioux City. Other communities in the district are Vermillion and Elk Point.

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: 68
City of residence: Dakota Dunes
Profession: Manufacturing Company Owner and President (Rush-Co)
Public service/community service experience: Served on Federal Reserve Bank Board of Directors in Minneapolis for 2- three year terms 2007-2013. Served as Yankton and South Dakota Chamber President, Currently serve on the CID (city council) for Dakota Dunes, Lead our church choir, former member of Optimist, SERTOMA (Service to Mankind), Rotary, and Elks Clubs. Served on many Private Company Boards and Non-Profit Boards, and started the Yankton Gymnastics Club for students. 
Family information: Wife Marcie, nearly 49 years, 3 Daughters Somer, Megan and Billie.  10 Grandkids ages 22 to 8.  Oldest is attending USD and intends to further her studies to become a veterinarian and her brother is attending UND in Grand Forks ND for a degree in Aviation and hoping to be a corporate pilot.  We moved Shur-Co. to Yankton in `1992, operated it and started Truxedo within it before spinning that out into a separate Company.  Sold those in 2010 and 2007 respectively.  Started Rush-Co. in Springfield SD in 2009.  All companies are still operating in SD and have created over 800 jobs. (most in SD). 

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

GOED should continue to be proactive in recruiting good companies and work with them confidentially during their discovery and search process.  Should the company decide to look at one or of the communities, they may work with them at that point.  My companies have benefited from some small incentives that have paid back to SD easily 100 fold.  Communities will compete for good employers and companies and avoid the marginal ones…or at least they at least they should. 

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

My Grandpa Shorma.  He died when I was 15 and I didn’t get much of a chance to learn from him about his life’s experiences and he had many while farming and raising a family in the recession. 

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?

SB 201, contrary to those promoting rescinding of SB 201 are saying that it is about eminent domain.  I would encourage all to read the bill.  Eminent Domain is not and was not ever in it.  I believe that the pipe line will come through SD, therefore my legislative job, in my mind then switched to protecting landowners (that is in SB 201 and two other House Bills we passed), lowering property taxes via paying counties $1.00 per lineal foot of pipe crossing the county, that is in the bill.  Requiring documented and fair notice to the landowners before a survey takes place (date, time and type) and the landowner can discuss other times, dates etc.  that is in the bill, and requiring the pipe be at least 4’ below the surface, that is in the bill.  Voters had an initial say in the outcome of SD201 when they elected us.  However SD does give voters the ability to collect signatures and get issues on the ballot. Putting it on the ballot, that is their right and all Voters can vote it up or down.   

I respect the ballot amendment process however there is currently a Constitutional Amendment (contrary to what you will be told) that allows Abortion up to the moment of birth and if it passes there will not be anything that the Legislature, the Governor or local rules can to to change it. 

Voters have choices your votes count!!  I will continue to serve with honor and do my best to represent all of South Dakota.  Why?  My wife and I love South Dakota and all of the people in it.