By Denise Ross

Sen. John Thune, R-SD, said he plans to call for a study of the tribal court systems as an effort to beef up law enforcement and improve public safety on Indian reservations. As part of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which had been before the US Senate but got sidelined, Thune wants to commission the study.

I’ve been working to bolster law enforcement on reservaztions to help combat the problem with crime that I hear about a lot. I want to put a measure in the bill to require an in-depth study of the tribal court system and offer ideas on how to improve it.

Thune said that providing a “basic level of security” is essential to ensuring good health. Listen to his initial remarks in the audio in the post below and in more about it during a Q&A with reporters in the audio with this post.

In addition, Thune said that he wants the economic stimulus package to actually stimulate the economy. His priority is to invest some of the money ($5B) in building roads and bridges, citing a $5 economic multiplier for every $1 spent on road construction.

Infrastructure spending is one of the best investments the federal government could make in the economy. … Those (infrastructure) needs are only going to grow more expensive with time.

Thune said that of the 3,000 road and bridge projects that are ready to begin in 60 days - if they get the money - 82 are in South Dakota. Thune said his proposal would have the double benefit of creating jobs in the short-term and improving the nation’s infrastructure for the long-term.

 It’s important that we actually stimulate the economy and that we be good stewards of tax dollars.

Here are the next sections of audio from the call- Thune’s Q&A with reporters, divided up due to YouTube’s 10-minute time limit.

Spread the word

Hide Sites