House speaker, top Senate Democrat among key 2018 players | News & Observer

South Dakota lawmakers during the 2018 legislative session will craft the state budget and consider issues ranging from tackling meth dealing to raising legislator pay.

The session starts Tuesday with Gov. Dennis Daugaard's State of the State. Daugaard is entering his final legislative session facing lackluster state revenues.

House Speaker Mark Mickelson wants to end collective bargaining at public universities, ask voters to repeal a victims' rights constitutional amendment and change the state's ballot question system.

House Majority Leader Lee Qualm is sponsoring legislation for a precision agriculture classroom and laboratory project at South Dakota State University.

Democratic governor candidate Billie Sutton, a senator, is pushing for government transparency legislation.

A Republican governor candidate, Attorney General Marty Jackley is asking lawmakers to impose harsher penalties for meth dealing and manufacturing.