You know, it’s hard to defend that one.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
What could Obamacare mean to you?
From the associated press/yahoo news, what Obamacare could mean to you:
Some health insurance consumer protections would go into place immediately, significant but limited in scope. The big expansion in coverage comes about four years from now, allowing more than 30 million people to sign up for insurance, with financial help from the government for most. Ripple effects continue well after Obama has to leave office in 2017, assuming he’s re-elected.
But even if the 2,700-plus-page bill passes, it’s only the end of the beginning. The Obama blueprint will be carried out under less-than-ideal circumstances. Rising medical costs and an aging population will keep squeezing the federal budget. Lawmakers will have to revisit hard choices they sidestepped.
“This is going to play out over a generation,” said Andrew Hyman, who oversees health insurance research for the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The impact of the reform legislation will affect every facet of our health system. It will address how people get coverage, how health care is delivered, and how health care is paid for.”
and…
Obama’s plan wouldn’t require employers to provide insurance to their workers, but it would hit them with a stiff fine if even one of their workers gets a federally subsidized coverage. Companies with 50 or fewer workers would be exempt, and those with 25 workers or fewer could get federal assistance.
But the fines could turn into a big headache for many employers, particularly since they may not be able to tell if their workers are getting benefits from the government. For example, a company with 100 employees that fails to provide coverage could face a fine of $140,000 under the plan Obama unveiled Feb. 22. Getting the bill from the IRS would become a dreaded moment for business owners.
New things this week… One time money, responsibility and irresponsibility.
Ahhhh…. Was I apologizing for light posting last week? I’ve closed out my position with the Red Cross (yes, of my own volition), and am on to greener pastures, as I devote myself more fully to my Real Estate job, and my duties with the Munsterman for Governor campaign. Lots of activity here (I’m sitting at the campaign office at the moment), but I promise I’ll make time to write about other things.
The hot topic on everyone’s lips is the fact that the legislature failed to pass a budget before it decided to take it’s 2 week break. Lots of chatter on that topic on the message and comment boards. Not all of it very praising. In fact, much of it is pretty critical.
I had a long conversation with one of the Senate leaders about that very topic last night. Not in an angry way, but he wanted people to know that the budget has been one thing that GOP leadership has worked very closely on over these past weeks, and across both chambers, they were adamant that if they take this money, it must go towards one-time spending, since they are one-time funds.
Another point he made was that if South Dakota didn’t take the money, it would potentially go to someone else, and South Dakotans would be paying it back anyway (in the form of future allocations of our income taxes).
Finally, we discussed that none of this might be settled by the time legislators return. We won’t know if we get the funds, what strings might be attached, etcetera, potentially necessitating a special session.
Most people have been sounding off pretty negatively about it. Me? I still don’t know if we should take the funds.
The point about one-time monies being devoted to one time spending is very valid, and about the only way we should accept it. But – even after sleeping on it – I still have trouble with the argument that we should take it because we’ll be paying it back if we don’t.
I guess it comes down to the ideal that the more we take, the more we will be beholding to the federal government. We’re not exactly model citizens (as a state) when it comes to federal money.
But don’t we have to decide where we draw the line in the sand? Or are we going to be another federal welfare recipient, holding special sessions every year when the federal government decides how much state bail out cash they’re going to throw at us?
What’s your opinion on all of this?
“But everyone else is doing it, mom.”
The Rapid City Journal/Associated Press is reporting that once again, legislators are actually contemplating that they will write another “Obama Bail-out budget” and go into deficit spending just to do so.
South Dakota will not be able to get an expected $36 million in extra federal aid if the Legislature balances the state budget by cutting spending, Gov. Mike Rounds said Friday.
If the budget is balanced through spending cuts, the state couldn’t prove it needs the additional federal aid, Rounds said. And the state couldn’t accept the money just to put it in a savings account for next year, he said.
and…
Knudson and House Republican Leader Bob Faehn of Watertown said South Dakota cannot turn down the extra federal aid because it would otherwise go to other states.
and…
Democratic legislative leaders said they also support using the extra federal money to balance the budget, but they continued their call for long-term changes aimed at restraining state-government growth.
You know, when I told my mom I should be able to do things because “everyone else was doing it” it didn’t hold a lot of water with her.
Yet, here we are. We’re being told that the state needs to write a deficit budget because otherwise the money will go to other states instead.
Funny. That argument rings as hollow with me as my own pleas did with my mom.
“…we haven’t lived up to that promise.”
Well… How painful do we expect the budget battle to be tomorrow?
Well… How painful do we expect the budget battle to be tomorrow? Legislative leaders are already holding out the carrot that Obama might be there to bail SD out…
The South Dakota Legislature’s plans to cut state spending next year were thrown into question Thursday when lawmakers learned the state might get an extra $36 million in federal aid.
The Legislature had planned to pass a state budget before the main run of this year’s session ends Friday. But the Joint Appropriations Committee might delay completion of the spending plan until March 29, when lawmakers are due to return to Pierre to consider any vetoes by Gov. Mike Rounds.
Legislative leaders said they want to find out whether Congress gives final approval by the end of March to a measure that would provide states with extra federal money for Medicaid, the state-federal program that pays the medical expenses of poor people.
Hmmm…. Here’s a thought. Instead of waiting for Obama to bail South Dakota out AGAIN, why don’t legislators consider actually balancing the budget NOW. And if the cash comes… great. We can figure out a way to be just that much farther ahead next year, as opposed to avoiding the tough questions one more time.
But that doesn’t even seem to be an option:
Dilges said the Legislature has three options:
It could pass a balanced budget now and revisit it later if federal money becomes available.
It could pass a budget relying on reserve funds now and automatically replace those reserves with federal money if it becomes available.
Or the Legislature could wait two weeks and see if more information is available before making a decision.
Dilges said the third options seems like the best to him.
“If I got a vote, I’d probably say, ‘Let’s wait and see,’” he said. “Then you don’t cause lots of concern about cuts that you may or may not follow through with.”
That appears to be the course lawmakers will take.
Should we consider this leadership?
NRCC: Not so fast, Nancy.
From my mailbox:
Pelosi Says She Has the Votes, Blue Dog Leader Says Not So Fast
Herseth Sandlin: They’re Not There Yet
Speaker Pelosi: We Have the Votes to Pass a Healthcare Bill:
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested in an interview House Democrats have enough votes to approve healthcare legislation ‘if we took it up today.’ In an interview conducted Tuesday, PBS talk show host Charlie Rose asked Pelosi whether the House would approve a Senate-passed bill if it came up for a vote this week. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘If we took it up today, yes.’” (UPI, 3/10/10)
Blue Dog Leader Herseth Sandlin: No You Don’t:
“There are some folks that were ‘yes’ votes on the House bill last year that I – in conversations I’ve had – I know don’t support this process going forward and the changes that are in the Senate bill or what the President has proposed so it’s going to be a close vote. It was a close vote last time and they’re not there yet.” (Stephanie Herseth Sandlin conference call, 3/10/10; original source here)
So, is that statement including himself?
Got a call tonight that my wife saved for me on the answering machine.
It was from Gordon Howie.
“Gordon?” I asked my wife. “I wonder what he wants?”
And, I listened to the message below:
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The message to me from Gordon was that “the big spenders in Pierre are at it again,” and that “they’re behind closed doors planning to spend even more next year than they are this year.”
Just for the sake of clarification…. Can someone tell me who “they” are? Is he referring to the Governor? Is he referring to the Democrats? Or is he referring to the legislators themselves as a group?
And if that’s who he’s referring to – hasn’t he personally had a seat at the legislative table for the past six years?
I’m just asking.
What do you think?
Light posting… In transition.
Sorry for the light posting for the week. It’s not going to get any better through this weekend.
I’m closing out my duties at the Brookings Red Cross, so I might devote more time to other things, such as the Munsterman campaign, and my career in Real Estate.
My departure was always going to happen at some point, and things gelled enough to allow it to occur this year instead of another one or two down the line.
So, bear with me. Today I’m busy cleaning out my desk and organizing things on paper for the next person, as well as everything else that’s going on.
Stay tuned.
New Blake Curd Web Video – It’s time for Stephanie to decide
Press Release – SDGOP Calls out Herseth for funding negative attacks on possible opponents
From my mailbox:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lucas Lentsch
Monday, March 8, 2010
State GOP Chairman Calls on Democrats to Come Clean on Campaign Attack Slush Fund
PIERRE – Today State Republican Party Chairman Bob Gray called on Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Democratic State Party officials to come clean on the details of a joint campaign attack slush fund. Late last week, the Democratic State Party admitted to funding the first round of negative attacks in the U.S. House race with funds from Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s campaign yet Herseth Sandlin denied any knowledge of the attacks. The negative attack robo-calls targeted State Reps. Blake Curd and Kristi Noem, both running for U.S. House and a handful of other legislators.
“Democrat officials recently admitted to creating a joint campaign slush fund of money for negative attacks against Republicans. The first targets have been two Republican U.S. House candidates prepping to take on Rep. Herseth Sandlin this fall in a race pundits call a toss-up. Democrat leaders should immediately disclose who has put money into this joint campaign attack slush fund, how much, and who is pulling the strings,” said Gray.
“Either Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s state party operatives are going rogue and spending her campaign cash on negative attacks without her knowledge or Rep. Herseth Sandlin isn’t telling us the whole story. Either way South Dakotans deserve better from their elected officials,” said Gray.
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It’s more than the garbage that stinks in Rapid City.
From the Rapid City Journal:
Seven South Dakota men have been charged with conspiring to cheat Rapid City out of $100,000 in landfill fees.
The men, along with Fish Garbage Service of Rapid City, were indicted Thursday in Seventh Circuit Court in Rapid Court. They were identified as George Fish, 72, Clifford Fish, 47, Randall Meidinger, 42, Harold Steen, 49, Charles Cordes, 52, Steven Pope, 53, and Matthew Gibson, 32, all of the Rapid City area.
Clifford Fish is president of Fish Garbage Service, which allegedly dumped its waste at the city landfill without paying the required fees to do so.
Meidinger had been employed by the city as a landfill attendant. It was not immediately known whether he still worked there.
Hmm…. I wonder what brought this all up?
Alderman Sam Kooiker e-mailed city Public Works Director Robert Ellis and the Solid Waste Committee on May 2 about concerns from an anonymous source that a hauler may have paid less than fair price for dumping building debris a month earlier.
“The information I am getting indicates that this hauler may have been getting deals like this for awhile from an inside connection at the landfill,” Kooiker wrote.
Ellis responded three days later, saying they had investigated the April incident and found no wrongdoing.
“We spent a great deal of time yesterday investigating this matter and I am confident in saying there exists no collusion to defraud the City Landfill between either Fish Garbage Service or our landfill attendants,” Ellis wrote May 5.
And then they censured Sam, originally in part because he sent too many e-mails.
It’s interesting that of the “censure 6,” the group of city officials who voted to punish Alderman Sam Kooiker for paying attention to his constituents, 2 have already given notice that they aren’t going to run again. Given their debacle Rapid City just went through, it’s easy to see why. And probably for the best.
2 down. 4 to go.
11 seconds.
The Mitchell Daily Republic has the interview on their website, but I had this sent to me from another party.
11 seconds of silence from Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin when she finally gets around to answering the question from Kevin Woster from the Rapid City Journal about her relationship with Nancy Pelosi.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
On a regularly scheduled media conference call, Rapid City Journal reporter Kevin Woster asked Herseth Sandlin to describe her relationship with Pelosi in regard to the ongoing health-care reform effort.
“I would describe our relationship as, uh … uh …” Herseth Sandlin said, before emitting what sounded like a half-laugh, half-sigh and finally breaking an 11-second interlude with this: “… one in which she has, uh, I think she would respect, uh, my decision-making process and, uh, one in which she probably acknowledges that I have some disappointment on how this process has unfolded.”
Republicans seeking to oust Herseth Sandlin in the November election have tried to portray her as being in lockstep with Pelosi and the agenda of other liberal Democrats.
It sounds to me as if Herseth Sandlin can see it all slipping through her fingers, and there’s nothing she can do about it.
This is going to be a Republican year at the ballot box.
On a regularly scheduled media conference call, Rapid City Journal reporter Kevin Woster asked Herseth Sandlin to describe her relationship with Pelosi in regard to the ongoing health-care reform effort.
“I would describe our relationship as, uh … uh …” Herseth Sandlin said, before emitting what sounded like a half-laugh, half-sigh and finally breaking an 11-second interlude with this: “… one in which she has, uh, I think she would respect, uh, my decision-making process and, uh, one in which she probably acknowledges that I have some disappointment on how this process has unfolded.”
Republicans seeking to oust Herseth Sandlin in the November election have tried to portray her as being in lockstep with Pelosi and the agenda of other liberal Democrats.
GOP Legislators propose Budget cuts. Gov wants use of reserve funds.
From the argus leader:
Republicans in Pierre on Thursday unveiled more than $52.6 million in proposed cuts to help balance the state budget. A look at some of those proposed cuts and how much money they would save:
- $1.7 million: Intensive Meth Program
- $2.3 million: Tobacco prevention
- $660,000: School for the Deaf
- $100,000: State Fair
- $1 million: Tourism and State Development
- $400,000: Board of Regents Co-op Extension Service
- $7 million: 2 percent across-the-board cuts, excluding K-12 funding and Medicaid
and…
Legislative Republicans in Pierre unveiled a long-awaited proposal Thursday to balance next year’s budget with a host of cuts and new revenues.
The proposal exceeds $52.6 million – more than the $40 million they set out to cut. Republican leaders cautioned that changes probably will be made in the final week of the session, and some cuts might not be necessary if tax revenues appear to be improving.
The biggest source of revenue – $11.5 million – would come by reducing tax refunds for large construction projects, although that revenue source hinges on the passage of two bills next week.
and..
Rounds made the case again Thursday for using reserve funds rather than making cuts. A lot of people in South Dakota are hurting economically, and the cuts would only add to the pain for some.
“I think you have to decide whether or not a rainy-day fund is there for the purpose of trying to eliminate as much pain on individual citizens as opposed to simply savings for savings sake,” he said.
But Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson, R-Sioux Falls, said the cuts are needed now because the state faces an even greater shortfall next year. The reserve funds, he added, need to be preserved for that challenge – one that could exceed $100 million if cuts aren’t made now.
“I certainly agree that it’s raining right now,” he said. “But in fact, we’ve got a tornado on the ground and on the horizon. If you think it’s raining now, it’s going to be pouring.”
Have those in the legislature who campaigned as being fiscal conservatives at the same time they rubber-stamped deficit budgets finally seen the light? Are they finally going to join the budget hawks that had been getting beat on for years over being tight-fisted?
What are your thoughts on the whole legislature mandated cut versus gubernatorially preferred reserve draw?
Welcome to a new advertiser! Check out Artistic Images by Jael
If you haven’t noticed yet, I’ve got a new advertiser here at the SDWC – Artistic Images by Jael.
Jael has produced some of the best looking campaign materials you’ll ever have the good fortune to see – Click on the link to visit her website, and please patronize her, as well as our other sponsors.
Was BJ cursing on the floor of the Senate? – Updated.
I had someone drop me a note to catch the activity on John Cooper’s confirmation yesterday on the Senate floor. I’m told that – supposedly – Senate B.J. Nesselhuf can be heard using language he might not use in front of his grandmother.
I’m pulling the clip right now, and will try to sift through it. Anyone else hear about this?
UPDATE -Here’s the sound clip. You be the judge:
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The context is that it comes right after Senator Knudson requesting that action on John Cooper’s appointment being deferred until today.
An audience member told me about it, noting that it should be audible that – allegedly – Senator Nesselhuf referred to some part of it as “Bullsh*t.”
Listening to the clip, I have to admit, a microphone picked up something that sounds like someone might have used that phrase. Maybe not as distinctly as I was told, but it sure sounds like it. Here’s the clip isolated further:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Now, I’m sure it isn’t the worst thing ever said on the floor. But you have to admit, those legislative microphones are possibly more sensitive than legislators realize.
Press Release: Curd to Herseth – Talk to South Dakotans, not Obama
From my mailbox:
For Immediate Release Contact: Joshua Shields
Curd Camp to Herseth-Sandlin: Talk to South Dakotans About Health Care, Not White House
SIOUX FALLS – After Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin attended a White House cocktail hour at the White House last night where President Obama was reportedly going to twist the arms of wavering Democrats on the health care bill languishing in Congress, the Blake Curd for Congress Campaign offered up an invitation to Rep. Herseth Sandlin to meet with average South Dakotans to discuss health care reform here in South Dakota.
“While shrimp cocktail and martinis won’t be on the menu and we might not have the trappings of the White House back here, we would still like to invite Rep. Herseth-Sandlin back to South Dakota to meet with average South Dakotans to discuss their thoughts on the government takeover of health care,” said Joshua Shields, Curd’s campaign manager.
“Rep. Herseth refused to have any townhall meetings last year to discuss health care but she immediately jumped at the chance to go to the White House and hear the pleadings of President Obama and the Democrats in Congress pushing a disastrous health care bill the American people have rejected. Rep. Herseth Sandlin should offer the same courtesy to South Dakotans who are concerned about their own health care and hear their thoughts on a government-run system that breaks the bank,” said Shields.
Stephanie being courted by Obama himself to support Obamacare
NBC’s Chuck Todd is reportsing via Twitter that Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin is heading to the White House tonight. The purpose of the meeting? President Obama will seek to win over the Democratis holdouts who opposed Obamacare 1.0
Chuck Todd writes, or tweets, that the healthcare “arm-twisting begins at happy hour at the WH where 10 House Dems who voted NO the first time will be attending.” In a follow up tweet, Todd says Herseth Sandlin is one of ten invited Democrats.
NRCC: Stephanie won’t return tainted cash
For Immediate Release: Contact: Press Office
March 3, 2010
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Still Won’t Cough Up Rangel’s Tainted Campaign Cash
South Dakota Democrat Hangs On to $17,000 in Dirty Donations, Tarnishes Herself with Rangel Connection
Washington- Corrupt Harlem Democrat Charlie Rangel’s ethical lapses have forced her to step down as Chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, but that hasn’t stopped Stephanie Herseth Sandlin from holding on tightly to his dirty campaign contributions. While some of Herseth Sandlin’s Democrat colleagues have been quick to jump ship and rid themselves of Rangel’s tainted donations, Herseth Sandlin has lined her campaign coffers with $17,000 – and so far appears to have no intention of giving it back. Herseth Sandlin’s clear disregard for the House Ethics Committee’s ruling leaves South Dakota families with a question for Herseth Sandlin: Is $17,000 worth tying your name to the face of Democrat corruption in Washington?
“Rangel has raised considerable money for fellow Democrats. His leadership political action committee raised $2.2 million in the 2008 election cycle and spent $2 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. He also raises money through a Rangel Victory Fund.
“Republican campaign officials have started criticizing individual Democrats for holding on to chunks of campaign contributions that resulted from Rangel’s fundraising.
“As an example of his eroding support, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., is giving campaign funds affiliated with Rangel to charity, her spokesman said.” (Larry Margasak, “Rangel stepping down from tax-writing chairmanship,” 3/03/2010)
Perhaps House Democrats should have considered Rangel’s checkered past before promising to ‘drain the swamp’ and ‘turn this Congress into the most honest and open Congress in history.’
“‘Drain the swamp’ means to turn this Congress into the most honest and open Congress in history. That’s my pledge — that is what I intend to do,’ Pelosi stated in an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams.” (Brian Williams, “Rep. Pelosi poised to make history”, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, 11/08/2006)
“While her Democrat colleagues are coughing up Charlie Rangel’s dirty donations in droves, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s refusal to give up his $17,000 is a slap in the face to the South Dakota families who voted her into office,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Until she speaks out and says otherwise, it’s clear that Herseth Sandlin has no problem associating herself with Rangel’s notorious ethical problems. Such utter disregard for South Dakota families and the House Ethics Committee’s ruling proves that Herseth Sandlin is willing to turn a blind eye to the corruption problem that is running rampant through the ranks of Washington Democrats.”
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Sattgast for Treasurer Meet and Greet event tonight at Longbranch
I just had a note dropped to me that my good friend Rich Sattgast is having a meet and greet tonight with regards to his candidacy for State Treasurer, and that it’s open to the public. No RSVP necessary, just show up.
Sattgast Meet and Greet
Longbranch restaurant in Pierre (Main Street)
From 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Refreshments and Hors d’œuvres provided.
Tell him I sent you.
