Flute appointment moves to Senate floor

By: 
Dana Hess, Community News Service
PIERRE — In its role of advise and consent, the Senate State Affairs Committee on Jan. 23 approved the appointment of David Flute as the new secretary of Tribal Relations.
Flute, the former leader of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribal government said, “My vision for the Office of Tribal Relations is to continue to cultivate relationships with the tribes.”
Flute said the most pressing concern on reservations is the methamphetamine problem. He wants to focus on meth, “then we can begin to cultivate economic growth.”
Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, asked for Flute’s assessment of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Heinert is not a supporter of the project and said that the Legislature and tribal councils are “miles apart” on the issue.
“I can’t determine what tribes do or what they say,” Flute said, adding that providing a safe environment was important so that “those that want to voice their concerns are protected.”
Flute’s appointment was passed on to the full Senate on a 9-0 vote as was the nomination of Laurie Gill for the position of commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources.
Gill has held the position since 2013, serving two years prior to that as the secretary of the Department of Human Services. Gill explained to the committee that the bureau serves the human resources function for all state departments as well as running the benefits program for state employees.
Like the rest of the state, Gill said, South Dakota state government is pressed to find employees for open positions.
“There are more jobs in the state of South Dakota than there are workers,” Gill said.
Asked where the greatest need for workers is in state government, Gill pointed to the direct care facilities that operate around the clock.
“I would say that is one of our highest needs right now,” Gill said.

 

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