Archive for September, 2007
Blinded By The Light?
The choice is being described by some as brilliant. Others are thinking twice about how wise it is for a Republican governor to pick Neil Fulton as his new chief of staff.
Fulton will be working a lot with U.S. Sen. John Thune’s staff and supporters. Fulton was the campaign treasurer, and has been a big financial supporter, for U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth. The Democratic [...]
Roger Hunt in the Argus savoring victory, while Dale Hargens nips at his heels
There’s an extensive interview with State Representative Roger Hunt in this morning’s Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Roger discusses his circuit court victory, where his interpretation of South Dakota’s campaign finance laws were upheld (I think I predicted that, BTW). And, he also discusses the death threats he’s received as a result of his efforts to [...]
We’re already facing nanny state legislation coming this next session
After succeeding at the ballot box imposing additional taxes on tobacco users in an effort to reduce smoking, one of the forces of nanny-stateism, the American Cancer Society, has now placed certain business owners in the crosshairs of wanting it dictated what legal products can and cannot be used in their place of business.
In today’s [...]
Remember the good old days. When we were allowed to think for ourselves?
After succeeding at the ballot box imposing additional taxes on tobacco users in an effort to reduce smoking, one of the forces of nanny-stateism, the American Cancer Society, has now placed certain business owners in the crosshairs of wanting it dictated what legal products can and cannot be used in their place of business.
In today’s [...]
The Daschle V. Thune Book continues to gain positive reveiws everywhere. Everywhere except the Argus.
Daschle V. Thune (which I’m currently reading) continues to receive positive reviews and notice across the country. The latest is at the Mitchell Daily Republic where editor Seth Tupper takes a look.
In 2004, Ronald Reagan beat George McGovern for one of South Dakota’s seats in the U.S. Senate.
Actually, that’s not true. But it is a [...]
In Jon Lauck’s Own Words
The news website www.mysiouxfalls.com has more than three minutes of audio from Jon Lauck speaking about the origins of his new book, Daschle v. Thune: Anatomy of a High Plains Senate Race. Lauck, a former SDSU faculty member, went to work for John Thune’s campaign while collecting information for the book.
Dang it. I was told about this, but I’ve got too many irons in the fire.
I saw the headline this morning, and had to say “dammit.” Dave Kranz was reporting on the Tim Johnson focus group held in Mitchell. I had a phone call on it this last week and had every intention of writing about it - because it’s a very interesting political tidbit.
But then I got busy with [...]
The Coming Storm in the South Dakota Republican Party: I’d like another helping of the abortion issue. Please?
When I started writing this series, I figured one of the issues I’d focus on was one of the most divisive issues that Republicans have faced over the years - the legality of abortion.
There’s been much written about the issue dividing the party, and how it’s caused much of our electoral troubles. Or has [...]
Liquor is on the menu at the Municipal League
The Pierre Capitol Journal is reporting on the mayors of Pierre and Ft. Pierre attending a forum sponsored by the SD Municipal League - where it appears cities could be pitted against current liquor license holders in battle this next session:
Currently the number of liquor licenses that can be issued in an area is dictated [...]
Neil Fulton is the new Chief of Staff. Not a bad pick, but a curious choice.
Inevitably, I get a phone call with good bloggable news at about 3pm every Wednesday afternoon. Of course, that’s when my standing gig is to take my daughter down to Sioux Falls for speech therapy, and I’m nowhere near a computer.
Today’s hot news was that the Governor’s lobbyist and legal advisor Neil Fulton has now [...]
It’s Fulton
Neil Fulton will be the new chief of staff to Gov. Rounds come November. Yes, THAT Neil Fulton, the Pierre lawyer who was campaign treasurer for Democrat Stephanie Herseth and who personally testified against the abortion ban legislation a few year ago. He replaces Rob Skjonsberg who’s jumping to Jeff Broin’s POET energy company in [...]
Too much offline activity to be tasked with writing. But I’m back, and talking about the MAINstreamers.
Good gosh. You’d think I had the floodgates open up and dump stuff on me.
First, I’ve been working exhaustively on my Real Estate marketing, mainly because that’s one of my potential financial resources. And then I’d been preparing for a class presentation today to a group of SDSU students for my other day job (hopefully, [...]
Glory Days
Brown County’s presence in the Legislature might get stronger in the years ahead. Julie Johnson’s move back to the Hub City is the reason. She knows the ways of the Legislature and lobbied when she was a cabinet member.
Twenty years ago Brown County had one of the most powerful legislative delegations ever. Joe Barnett, Bud [...]
That should do it.
Sorry about the white space. I think I’ve got it fixed now….
The Lt. Governor takes a trip.
The Black Hills Pioneer is reporting this weekend that Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard was out in those same black hills this week making a “Black Hills swing.” I will note that from reading the article, it wasn’t clear what type of event he was being quoted at. But, they spelled his name correctly in the [...]
That’s a novel concept for the SD Legislature. Let the market decide. Or at least move control back to the local level.
Ed Olson, good for you.
No, not for your past participation in the mainstream coalition. I’ll still probably give you a hard time on that one for a while to come. But GOOD FOR YOU on your comments on South Dakota’s silly liquor license laws.
Some people have made hundreds of thousands off of holding on to [...]
Comments on abortion…
I’ve nearly got my next installment on the Coming Storm for the SDGOP written in my head, but I’m waiting on some comments. As I’m sitting and waiting, in the interest of making it better, a wild hair struck me. As opposed to the few I’ve e-mailed already, I’d also openly solicit comments from [...]
Departures…
I think I might have written on this before, but it’s coming down to the wire for Julie Johnson, former State Secretary of Revenue and Labor. After more than 20 years with state government, Julie is leaving for greener pastures in Aberdeen.
Having worked with Julie on the Korean War Memorial Dedication, the State Quarter, [...]
Here the Counties go again…. requesting a tax increase.
Do you think they’ll go hire Delores Coffing to consult for them?
Yes, South Dakota’s county commissioners, emboldened by the increase in cigarette taxes, decided the time was right to approach the legislature for a tax increase. Despite the fact that they’ve never been able to get it passed before:
As they have in the past, commissioners [...]
No mountain lion population problem at all. Nope. None at all.
Apparently the Black Hills are too crowded for mountain lions lately. So they’re out scouting new territory to move into. In our backyards.
According to the Argus Leader:
State game trackers were unable to locate a mountain lion that killed two goats near Hartford on Thursday morning.
Arden Petersen, regional wildlife manager for the state Game, Fish and [...]
