Rep. Phil Jensen targets education aid to Huron Schools

Lawmaker loses vice chairmanship after trying to defund Huron schools over bathroom issue • South Dakota Searchlight

State Rep. Phil Jensen, R-Rapid City, speaks to another legislator in the South Dakota House of Representatives on Feb. 5, 2025. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)PIERRE — A firestorm of criticism Wednesday forced a South Dakota lawmaker to lose a committee vice chairmanship and withdraw his bill to defund the Huron School District, which he filed in reaction to a tip about the district’s bathroom policy. Meanwhile, a separate bill was filed…

Rep. Phil Jensen targets education aid to Huron Schools

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- The bill doesn't say why but Republican Rep. Phil Jensen of District 33 wants the Department of Education to not send any state education money to the Huron School District. The bill is House Bill 1224 and it was introduced on Tuesday. KELOLAND News left a phone and email message with Jensen Wednesday morning. If there is a response, this story will be updated. House panel keeps 15-day voter-registration deadline…

GOP lawmaker lambasted over bill to defund Huron schools

PIERRE — A West River lawmaker who sponsored a bill to defund the Huron School District has created uproar at the Capitol and around the state, leading to widespread condemnation from his colleagues.Rep. Phil Jensen’s one-sentence House Bill 1224 would have prohibited the South Dakota Department of Education from forwarding any general fund state aid to Huron schools. Jensen, a Rapid City Republican, has served in both the House and Senate since…

Phil Jensen posts bill to outlaw money going to Huron School District

I find myself replying to texts all evening, so "Yes, I've seen the bill." And given that the bill's sponsor is State Representative Phil Jensen, arguably the worst human being in the South Dakota State Legislature, I can hope that the reason behind the bill isn't going to come with national condemnation. But given the