KOTA Territory NewsDebate heats up at the second Cracker Barrel

Debate heats up at the second Cracker Barrel

The South Dakota Legislature is half way through the 2012 session.

But lawmakers are also in the middle of several key debates.

At today's Rapid City Cracker Barrel, frustration flowed over the Keystone XL Pipeline.

President Barack Obama has blocked the seven billion dollar plan for now.  He says he hasn't had enough time to review the alternate route that would avoid environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska.

But people in the audience today say it's time to get moving.  They say there's an example right in our backyard of how the pipeline could benefit the region.

"Just look to our neighbors to the north, who are going through an oil boom right now and are able to capitalize on everything that's happening in that state and put it back into the tax payers' pockets. I think it's very unfortunate that the President has turned this into a political football for the states, especially states in the Midwest," says Representative Jeff Haverly.

Audience members also aren't ready to waive a 'white flag' when it comes to the state flag.

At least 80 South Dakota lawmakers, say it's time for a change.

But voters say they aren't buying it.

"All it has done is generated an enormous amount of concern among the public. I refuse to sign on to it and the reason is we don't need this and we don't even need to be talking about this as far as I'm concerned," says Representative Lance Russell.

All Cracker Barrels are free and open to the public.

Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, and Deadwood play hosts.