Sioux Empire Today

The 250 students at Girls State in Vermillion engaged with enthusiasm and curiosity about civic involvement. The discussion covered politics and policy in Washington, D.C., their relevance to South Dakota, and the importance of civility in politics. The event was organized by the American Legion Auxiliary.

America's environmental review process remains paper-based, which slows down an already lengthy procedure. This inefficiency discourages investment and economic expansion. A new bill, the Interactive Federal Review Act, has been introduced to modernize this outdated system. The proposed legislation directs the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to adopt interactive digital platforms for permitting processes, potentially reducing review times by half.

President Trump recently issued a memorandum encouraging federal agencies to implement electronic permitting approaches. Collaboration with the Trump Administration and Congress is anticipated to expedite crucial infrastructure projects across the country.

In other news, the Senate voted against California's zero-emissions mandates that would require all vehicles sold in the state to be electric by 2035. This decision is seen as protecting consumer choice regarding vehicle purchases. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, opposition has been expressed towards policies that create varied regulatory frameworks across states. The House addressed this issue earlier in May, and it now awaits President Trump's approval.