I’m thinking that the party might be having some second thoughts about their chairman declaring they don’t need any money. Because it appears that things are looking bad at the SDGOP in terms of what they’re seeing in donations.
Things are so bad that the party actually came crawling to me for something the party put out 2-3 years ago? That’s funny! (You can about guess my reply).
With that as the launching point, yesterday, the SDGOP sent out their proposed budget for the next year, as well as how they’ve done so far in fundraising for 2025:
So many pie in the sky projections. Has anyone actually done any fundraising before?
I don’t see any expenses for their “Miller Golf Tournament” where they were splitting the proceeds. They actually believe they’re going to take in $30k for a statewide mailer after the previous year the party actually lost money on the last statewide mailer (as I was told) & no line item for postage on that or any other mailer. They think they’re going to raise 25k on a raffle they’re going to sink 15k into, and they’re going to get another $17-18K out of county GOP organizations?
Well. Good luck with that.
Also the party’s finances continue to dim with a notation that as of 6/1, they are down to $29,825.30 in the state account and $26,770.01 in the federal, giving them less than $58,000 total among all their accounts in the face of dwindling finances and few prospects.
Stay tuned, as we find out if the chairman still believes that they “don’t need any more money” a few months from now.
Here’s an interesting difference of opinion. Toby Doeden, the man who is doing his damndest to buy his way into office no matter what it costs, recently slobbered over State Representative Dylan Jordan somehow claiming he’s qualified to judge him the “conservative conscience” of Northeast South Dakota.
While Doeden may have feted DJ Jazzy Jordan, don’t forget that recently, former State Rep. Fred Deutsch – an actual conservative – found Dylan a bit more fetid over Jordan’s pledge to have civilian aircraft shot out of the sky:
It’s one thing to express your views about chemtrails, but it’s entirely another to advocate for legislation for the National Guard to “take military action” against aircraft flying over SD. That’s not just kooky, but wrong and dangerous.
The SDGOP sent out a meeting announcement along with a financial statement yesterday, so there is SO MUCH to unpack; more than I can address in a single post.
But first and foremost is a single line on the agenda, which indicates one of Chairman (& former 32-year Obama Democrat) Jim Eschenbaum’s prime agenda items are being moved forward – a scorecard for elected officials and the party endorsing candidates in the primary.
At the bottom of “New Business” on page two is a line noting that Proposed Scorecard Reviews and Endorsements are on the agenda, which is in line with earlier warnings from Chairman Eschenbaum that this was part of his plan, despite endorsing candidates being contrary to over 140 years of Republican tradition in this state – and I’m talking about going back to the Republican party before statehood.
While in the very distant past factions within the party may have had a preferred candidate, and the SDGOP has elected candidates at convention, they have never gotten into actual endorsements in primary elections. In fact, as recently as just a few years ago, the SDGOP has noted it’s neutrality. While they will support it’s elected officials, they weren’t going to get into playing favorites.
Now it appears they are looking to move forward with splitting the baby into multiple pieces. Make you wonder how. Will they do it based on how much someone donates – Is the party to be bought off? Or will they do it based on holding a second convention which will be expensive – an early endorsement convention where special delegates come in? Or will it be a star chamber where a select few get to pick?
That’s the problem with this sort of thing. It’s most likely going to be based on how those in the small group want to game it so their candidate has an advantage. They aren’t – for example – going to send out a mailer to every Republican in the state so it’s participatory where all registered Republicans have a voice.
It will be about the few making a choice.
The question is – how few? And how much will registered Republicans tolerate it?
On Instagram, State Representative Logan Manhart seems to be doing his best to provide ammunition for his detractors.
Last year, he attended Toby Doeden’s Dakota First rally in Sioux Falls, which was protested by the NAACP for it’s inclusion of Mark “I’m a Black Nazi” Robinson as part of the festivities. Today, he’s posting more grist for the mill to Instagram, as he proudly wears his “Toby Doeden” for Governor jacket, and declares “It’s white boy summer and the boys are back in charge.”
Given that as a State Rep, Manhart represents the Sisseton Whapeton reservation.. and the term is used as “a slogan for white supremacists and other hate groups” not sure that’s the kind of thing I would say to my constituents.
Although, as one person noted to me stated, “I thought he preferred white boy winter?”
Celebrating American Strength
By Congressman Dusty Johnson
BIG Update
Our founding fathers made history by declaring independence from Britain. On Friday—Independence Day—we proudly celebrate 249 years since the famous declaration that established a nation of freedom and strength.
In the heart of America, Mount Rushmore represents these core principles. I’m glad fireworks will return next year, lighting up the sky above the monument in celebration of 250 years of our great country.
As you spend time with family and friends this weekend, I wish you a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.
BIG Idea
I introduced the Protection of Women in Sports at Military Academies Act to prohibit biological men from competing in women’s sports at our nation’s military service academies. Riley Gaines agrees with me—the United States military service academies should set the example for fairness and integrity. Service academies should remain focused on military readiness—not radical gender policies.
House and Senate Republicans worked hard to deliver real wins for the American people by getting the One Big Beautiful Bill to President Trump’s desk. Our bill prevents the largest tax increase for American families in U.S. history, secures our southern border, and is a meaningful step in getting government spending under control.
House Republicans strengthened welfare programs like SNAP and Medicaid to ensure the most needy will be able to receive these benefits for generations to come. One of the ways to preserve the integrity of the programs is by enforcing work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.
There are many parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill that haven’t been making headlines. For example, it makes historic investments in our air traffic control system, boosts agricultural trade, supports American farmers, and unleashes domestic production of energy and critical minerals.
The One Big Beautiful Bill isn’t perfect, but it helps everyday Americans by putting in place no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, tax cuts for seniors, all while ensuring individuals and businesses don’t see a near 25% tax hike at the end of the year.
Rooted in Freedom By: Gov. Larry Rhoden July 4, 2025
Independence Day marks a pivotal moment in American History. On a summer day 249 years ago, inside Independence Hall, our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and declared liberty from tyranny. Their Declaration confirms that liberty is not a privilege, but a right given by our Creator. This day is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the American spirit – and of American freedom.
The words of the Declaration of Independence remain true to this day: “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Here in South Dakota, those freedoms are especially evident. South Dakota is the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of freedom – our Founding Fathers would be proud.
In one short year, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. South Dakota will lead this celebration with fireworks at Mount Rushmore. I remember when South Dakota used to hold Independence Day fireworks at Mount Rushmore every year. There is a very tall hill near my ranch, and I used to drive up to the top of that hill, get my binoculars, and watch the fireworks go off at Mount Rushmore!
We are working closely with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to bring back that tradition and throw the biggest party ever for America’s 250th birthday! I have invited President Trump to commemorate with us. It will be a celebration of not only our nation’s rich history, but who we are becoming.
As we take part in festivities this Independence Day, we remember what makes the United States and South Dakota strong, safe, and free. America was built on a vision, and South Dakota is the epitome of just that.
We’re thriving – and we’re leading. Our economy is strong, our communities are safe, and our future is definitely Open for Opportunity. Our state proves day in and day out that the principles of freedom and liberty are alive and well. And we never take that for granted. We will continue to work hard to maintain and celebrate it. Because we know that freedom isn’t just a word, but a way of life.
As our communities celebrate America’s birthday, the spirit of freedom will be on full display across South Dakota. While we enjoy these celebrations, I hope we all take a moment to appreciate the freedom and opportunity that God has given us – and the sacrifices made by so many to keep it.
The birth of America was brought about by brave men and women who had the courage to fight for their freedom. They stood up for what they believed in. They ensured that their kids and grandkids could live in a country full of freedom and opportunity. Thanks to their courage and bravery, we are able to live our lives in the same way. And as Governor, I work hard every day to make sure the citizens of South Dakota can experience freedom and opportunity for generations to come.
In South Dakota, we don’t shy away from hard work. We don’t wait for others to lead. We live by our faith and stand on the principles that have made our country great for the past two hundred and forty-nine years. Families helping families, and neighbors helping neighbors, is something South Dakota excels at. I ask everyone to keep extending that helping hand when our communities face hardship. It’s what holds our great state together during tough times.
Sandy and I hope you celebrate this Fourth of July with family, fireworks, apple pie, and lots of red, white, and blue! Happy Independence Day, and may God bless the United States of America.
Thomas E. Simmons is a professor at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in Vermillion. His views are his own and not the views of USD, its administrators, or the South Dakota Board of Regents. The opinions expressed above are merely those of private citizen.
Guest Column: Why South Dakota Can Never Have its Own ‘BBB’ by Thomas E. Simmons
President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” in fact, boasts a much more technical title: it is the bill “To Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.” It is something like 1,000 pages in length and contains numerous unrelated subjects including everything from tax relief to border security and Medicaid eligibility.
For better or worse, South Dakota will never see any state legislation (or constitutional amendment) which approximates the Big Beautiful Bill on account of a state constitutional prohibition. South Dakota bills can’t be too big. It’s a rule – the “single subject rule.”
Article 23 of South Dakota’s Constitution contains the single subject rule. It speaks to state constitutional amendments and it provides that ‘‘no proposed amendment may embrace more than one subject”
A similar rule (contained in Article 3) imposes the same limitation with regards to legislative bills: “No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.”
As readers of the South Dakota War College know, South Dakota allows a limited form of direct democracy with its initiative and referendum procedures. Voters can propose new laws, repeal old ones, and even amend the state constitution. The current form of Article 23’s single subject rule was itself the product of a voter-initiated constitutional amendment in 2018.
What is the idea behind the single-subject rule? Its purpose is to prevent “logrolling.” As the South Dakota Supreme Court explained in a 1937 decision, anti-logrolling “is intended to prevent the bringing together in one act of subjects having no necessary connection or relation with each other, to guard the Legislature and persons affected by the Law against surprise and imposition.”
In 2020, the voters of South Dakota were presented with an amendment (“Amendment A”) to the South Dakota Constitution. Amendment A, if approved, would add a new article – Article 30 – to the Constitution. It addressed the legalization and regulation of marijuana. The voters approved it 54.2% to 45.8%.
A challenge was filed and in 2021, the South Dakota Supreme Court determined that Amendment A was unconstitutional in that it violated the single subject rule. As a result, the amendment was invalidated. The case was captioned Kevin Thom (the Sheriff of Pennington County) versus Steve Barnett (the South Dakota Secretary of State). The opinion contains the entire text of Amendment A as an appendix; the appendix runs some 5 pages.
Despite the relative brevity of Amendment A (less than half a dozen pages compared to the phone book-sized Big Beautiful Bill), our Court found that it violated the single subject rule insofar as it addressed at least two independent subjects: legalized marijuana and legalized hemp, each with a separate object or purpose.
The Court took note of the fact that legalization of marijuana addressed a substance with psychoactive properties. Hemp, however, is not psychoactive.
The Court explained:
The constitutional mandate requiring legislation to provide for “the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp’’ has the distinct object or purpose of allowing industrial and agricultural use of a product that contains essentially no psychoactive properties… In contrast, there is no fixed maximum level of psychoactive properties for marijuana in Amendment A.
The Court even found an impermissible third subject within the text of Amendment A (medical marijuana) and hinted at a possible fourth (taxation of marijuana sales)). The proponents of Amendment A claimed that their amendment contained but a single subject – the legalization of marijuana including agricultural uses. But the Court wasn’t having it.
Interestingly, the South Dakota Supreme Court noted that it appeared that perhaps “the drafters of Amendment A folded the additional subjects of hemp and medical marijuana into this single amendment to aggregate votes and increase the chances for passage of the provisions legalizing and regulating recreational marijuana.” The fact that the voters of South Dakota rejected recreational marijuana as a single subject when presented with the option in 2022 and again in 2024 underscores the Court’s concerns. Perhaps the Amendment A sponsors had tried (unsuccessfully) to logroll us.
At any rate, for better or worse, the single subject rule ensures that South Dakota will never witness its own Big Beautiful Bill.
Thomas E. Simmons
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
Vermilion, SD
Johnson Secures Tax Relief, Border Security, and Historic Spending Reduction
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to pass the conservative reconciliation package, the One Big, Beautiful Bill, to protect families, small businesses, and communities across America from the largest tax increase in American history. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
“After struggling with the burden of inflation for the last four years, families and businesses are desperate for tax relief, and this bill has it,” said Johnson. “Our state is counting on the provisions in this bill for extension of current tax rates to see our businesses and communities grow and thrive. This bill is pro-family, pro-small business, pro-energy, and pro-America. I’m proud to send it to President Trump’s desk.”
The three most important parts of the package:
Avoids a historic tax hike for most Americans and businesses.
The bill includes no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and provides $6,000 of tax relief for seniors.
Without extending current tax rates, the average taxpayer in South Dakota would see a 25% tax hike.
Without extending current tax rates, an average South Dakota family would see a tax increase of $2,500.
Without extending current tax rates, 101,690 South Dakota families would see their household’s Child Tax Credit cut in half.
Without extending current tax rates, 94% of South Dakota taxpayers would see their guaranteed deduction slashed in half.
Without extending current tax rates, 88,730 South Dakota small businesses would see their tax rates surge to 40 percent.
Without extending current tax rates, the National Association of Manufacturers expects South Dakota would lose 17,000 jobs, $1.5 billion lost wages, and $3.1 billion lost economic output.
Secures our borders.
It will complete 701 miles of primary walls, 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, replace 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers, and strengthen border surveillance technology.
It funds “Remain in Mexico” enforcement and at least one million annual removals of illegal aliens, ensuring immigrants come to the U.S. the right way.
Hires thousands of Border Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to carry out the mission.
Implements commonsense policies to right-size federal programsand decrease spending.
It saves $1.6 trillion over 10 years, the largest spending reduction in a generation.
It changes Medicaid eligibility for certain non-citizen alien groups, protecting the program for the neediest Americans.
It removes SNAP eligibility for illegal immigrants, ensuring Americans who need assistance the most receive it.
It removes certain non-eligible aliens from receiving Medicare benefits.
It enforces work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents under the age of 14 who receive SNAP or Medicaid benefits, helping to lift them out of poverty. These work requirements will not affect vulnerable populations like pregnant women, seniors, those with disabilities, or those with young children at home.
Notable Johnson priorities included:
Incorporates Johnson’s bill, the America Works Act of 2025, by strengthening work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents receiving SNAP.
Unleashes domestic mining of critical minerals, decreasing reliance on China.
Provides $4.5 billion for the B-21 at the Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Increases support for farmers facing higher costs for fuel, feed, and fertilizer due to record inflation.
Makes long-term investments in conservation efforts that protect working lands without tying producers’ hands.
Increases funding for trade programs so American-grown products reach more global markets.
Prevents implementation of harmful Biden-era staffing standards for long-term care facilities.
Prevents facilities that conduct abortions, like Planned Parenthood, from receiving federal Medicaid payments.
Provides $50 billion investment in rural health care.
Boosts defenses against foreign animal diseases that threaten our livestock and poultry industries, like New World Screwworm, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and African Swine Fever.
Provides historic funding for the Air Traffic Control system, which is overdue for updates.
