A Real Life Story About the Impact of the State's "Improved" License System
Karl Krueger of Sioux Falls came to my law office today.
A Teamster driver for Yellow, his time between driving assignments is precious—and regulated by the federal government.
He has no time to waste standing in line to get his car licensed. When Uncle Sam says rest or sleep, he’s supposed to.
But thanks to the State of South Dakota’s “improved” vehicle licensing “system” that’s been in force since July 1, he’s worried about getting his proper rest so he can be safe and do his job—and get his car licensed.
Karl has tried four times since last Wednesday to get his car licensed at the Minnehaha County Treasurer’s office. So far, he’s stood in line for over two hours—with nothing to show for it except a lot of aggravation.
“I can’t spend that much time in line,” he says.
He’s mad and he wants answers—and changes.
Think of all the other people who have not only had to take personal time but time away from their jobs and businesses to monkey around with a system that wasn’t ready for prime time.
Think about the lost productivity to our state. Think about the trouble County Treasurer Pam Nelson, her employees, and other Treasurer’s have had to put up with across the state.
This is a problem not of their making but they bear the financial brunt—and the anger of citizens.
What is it exactly that Gov. Mike Rounds does? He has no “big” ideas for our state. So that should leave lots of time to “administer.”
Once again, our South Dakota State Government has failed us. And as President Harry Truman would say, the buck stops at the top—with Gov. Rounds.
Governor, fix this problem now so good people like Karl Krueger who have jobs and lives and can get on with both. It’s not just good government, it’s good politics.
And one other question: What vendor sold us this POS system? Perhaps the legislature needs to investigate next session.
Technorati Tags: Mike Rounds, government, South Dakota, Minnehaha County, licensing, long lines, ineptitude
Todd Epp
in Gov. Mike Rounds, Minnehaha County Government, Technology
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Reader Comments (7)
I have yet to read why Minnehaha can't use a mail-in, mail-out system like Clay County has/had?. It is very user friendly. No county has a transient population like that of a major university community in a small county - so the system works. The executive / legislature should mandate mail-in vehicle registration / licensing - especially if the commissioners won't. (Ever hear of a commissioner standing in line for three + hours . . . Animal Farm . . . some are more equal than others.)
this system is infuriating. luckily, on the second day of my wife's attempt to get our cars registered (they're both due, and we just moved), a helpful employee actually went through the line looking for people who'd be willing to just have a temporary permit. that was certainly fine with us, so now we have until September 30 to get the registration done. but they really shouldn't have to do that. this is wasting a lot of money and time.
Well, I think the idea is a good one. As a relatively new resident of SD who has bought a couple of new cars since living here, I wondered what would happen if somebody decided to rob a bank in the car with my former license plates before the paperwork gets processed. I think these bureucrats are whining because they weren't prepared or made the effort to be properly trained. The people waiting in line should be mad at them, not the new system, which in my view is a good idea.
I was wondering why we needed this new system anyway. The comment about being concerned about a bank robber using your recently sold car is the closest thing to an explanation for this new system.
Has anyone heard an official reason for this?
"Perhaps the legislature needs to investigate next session."
Me thinks you have the tail wagging the dog with this thought Skippy.... Everyone knew it was not ready... but the legislature wrote it in to law that it had to go "online" by July 1. The system is slow, the system is different, and it was not time for it to be put online, but the "law" said it had to....
Check it out.
Rounds does not write them... he is charged with enforcing them.
No I do not know why he did not veto it, but ask Pam Nelson... it was the law to come online....
Let's at least get the facts straight.
Like you say, let's get the facts straight - who is the private vendor(s) involved with this deal ? Why hasn't this come out yet ? I would really like to know that fact.
How does this new system work if someone steals the plates off of my car and then robs a bank?