State Rep. DJ Swearingen urges local input on capital budget, defends local zoning for short-term rentals

State Representative DJ Swearingen visited the Huron City Council on Sept. 9 to brief local officials on state budget work and pending legislation affecting municipalities. He emphasized the state’s two-year budget cycle and encouraged Huron to submit capital-project requests ahead of the upcoming capital budget season.

Swearingen told the council that the budget — which the legislature passed in June — contains both positive and negative elements, but “the biggest thing we probably do is the budget, and we’re constitutionally required to do that and balance it every two years, and we passed that in June.” He said property taxes remain the top issue he hears from constituents and that lawmakers should consider fairness across tax types rather than relying on a single revenue source.

The representative addressed several bills of local concern. On Senate Bill 56, which had drawn attention for changes to how local marijuana tax revenue is distributed, Swearingen said the House judiciary committee had amended language to preserve local revenue for communities that host dispensaries. He also discussed short-term rental legislation and said he would support a version that allows municipalities to use local zoning to limit where short-term rentals can operate: “I can vote for that bill if you let the locals zone it.”

Council members raised school-funding concerns and the effects of expanded voucher programs on local public schools. Swearingen said school funding in the most recent budget generally held or increased but acknowledged the need to review school funding formulas to address rising local costs and changing education needs.

Swearingen closed by inviting local officials and staff to share ideas for the capital budget and offered to be a point of contact for follow-up. The visit concluded with thanks from Mayor and council members and brief audience appreciation for his time.