Democrat Paula Hawks reiterated her disappointment in Kristi Noem's decision to step away from the House Ag Committee for a seat on Ways and Means
Hawks says she would decline Ways and Means if it meant sacrificing a seat on a committee most important to South Dakota's economy.
Hawks says agriculture will be her number one priority when she "goes to Washington DC." She says she will sit on the Ag Committee and if it means she can't serve on Ways and Means, "so be it." She says the power for South Dakota is in agriculture and "we need to have that voice there."
Noem defends her move to Ways and Means saying it puts the state in a better position and that she still maintains strong relations with ag lawmakers and offers input to legislation.
Hawks also says that Congress could take action to help cattle producers reeling from low prices caused partly by an increase in imports. She says the EPA could also help ag producers by opening up rules on ethanol.
Hawks was in Mitchell in a flurry of town hall meetings across the state.