Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Thune, Smith, Johnson, Craig Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Provide Needed Flexibility for Emergency CRP Haying

Bill will provide relief to producers experiencing drought conditions during primary nesting season  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.), members of the House Agriculture Committee, today introduced companion bills that would improve the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) ability to allow for the timely emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events. Under current statute, emergency CRP haying is not allowed until after the primary nesting season, which ends August 1 in South Dakota, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The CRP Flexibility Act would address this by allowing emergency haying on CRP acres before August 1 when certain conditions are met and in consultation with the state technical committee. This legislation is also co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Reps. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), and Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.).

“Unfortunately, almost every acre of South Dakota is currently experiencing drought, and we need to make sure USDA has the flexibility to improve producers’ access to greatly needed forage for their livestock during these difficult times,”said Thune. “As a longtime supporter of the Conservation Reserve Program, I’m pleased to introduce this commonsense measure to help producers meet their forage needs during weather-related emergencies. This legislation would build on my effort to increase CRP enrollment, which significantly benefits conservation efforts and wildlife habitat in our state.”

“Right now over 70 percent of Minnesota is experiencing a severe drought and it’s quickly worsening with the current hot weather,” said Smith. “This is devastating for our cattle producers, who are running out of hay to feed their herds. When severe droughts hit, the USDA should have the tools to allow farmers to access reserve land for haying and grazing. This will lessen the impact on the farm economy.”

“As drought conditions fail to improve across the Midwest, producers need continued flexibility to weather the storm and avoid further liquidations,” said Johnson. “The CRP Flexibility Act would open up needed conservation acres to forage for livestock. This is a problem with a simple solution – I’m glad our legislation will promote conservation and provide flexibility to the committee on the ground to move up forage dates when disaster strikes.”

“Severe drought conditions in Minnesota and across the country are impacting farmers and ranchers who were just beginning to recover from the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis,” said Craig. “Today, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure USDA can create flexibility for farmers and ranchers, expand drought relief and protect our ag community during this difficult time.”

“With most of the state facing an intense drought, South Dakota ranchers and farmers need flexibility to protect their livelihoods and combat the extreme conditions,” said Rounds. “Our bill alleviates these challenges by allowing emergency haying during the primary nesting season, which lasts until August 1st. This is a commonsense fix that will provide much-needed relief for South Dakota farmers and ranchers.”

“The drought across the upper Midwest has created incredibly difficult conditions for Minnesota’s farmers and livestock producers,” said Klobuchar. “By authorizing emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program lands, we are taking an important step to help farmers and ranchers feed their herds throughout droughts.”

“This legislation is needed to improve the timeliness of emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program acres during droughts like the current one that has caused forage shortages and the culling of herds,” said Scott VanderWal, president of South Dakota Farm Bureau and vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We appreciate the efforts of our South Dakota delegation to make this program more helpful to producers during weather-related disaster events.”

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At Thune’s Request, Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearing to Examine Beef Market Manipulation Tomorrow

“Building off of the testimony we recently heard at the Senate Ag Committee, I hope tomorrow’s hearing helps get to the bottom of exactly what is going on in this market.”

Click here or on the photo above to watch Thune preview tomorrow’s hearing.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee for holding a hearing to examine possible improper and anti-competitive activity in the highly concentrated meatpacking industry. In May, Thune sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durban (D-Ill.) requesting this hearing. Tomorrow’s hearing will feature testimony from representatives from two of the big four meatpacking companies as well as food and agriculture industry leaders.

“With cattle producer profit margins down and prices at the meat counter up, producers and consumers in South Dakota deserve answers,” said Thune.“Building off of the testimony we recently heard at the Senate Ag Committee, I hope tomorrow’s hearing helps get to the bottom of exactly what is going on in this market. One of my top priorities is supporting cattle producers and making sure they have fair and transparent markets for the commodities they produce.”

Details for tomorrow’s hearing below.

Title: Beefing up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Time: 2:30 PM

Watch the hearing live here.

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KELOland has a story this afternoon that there has been a high price tag for the South Dakota Board of Regents buying out their 2 previous Executive Directors’ contracts:

Rush, whose departure was announced in April 2018, received six months of severance pay totaling $168,037. His last annual contract was for $378,815 and was to run through June 21, 2018. He returned to Idaho.

Beran, whose departure was announced in March 2020, received six months of severance totaling $169,125. His last annual contract was for $338,250 and was to run through June 21, 2020. He returned to Arkansas.

Read the entire story here.

Over the years, due to their autonomy, the Board of Regents have earned the regental system a nickname that they are the “4th branch of government.” Yet, it is said that South Dakota has one of the highest costs for education in the region, it seems at times that the universities are liberal social engineering laboratories run amok, and we hear of things like this.

There have been overtures by the Legislature and the Governor to improve the situation… but should there be more drastic steps?  Should the Regental system go to a single university system and/or be put under the Department of Ed?

What are your thoughts?

It’s been around two weeks or so and we still have yet to hear from Dakota Free Press author Cory Heidelberger over his permanent relocation deep in the heart of Nebraska. (In case you missed it, his wife has a nice new job).

While Cory is busy throwing barbs at Governor Noem, he still remains mum about his whole ‘leaving the state’ thing.

The Cory Countdown clock is now sitting at 20 days and counting.  Click on the image if you want to follow how many days we can expect until the state’s most liberal commentator is likely leaving the state on a permanent basis.

Looks like Governor Noem has her opponent, as we continue to see and hear evidence that South Dakota Democrat Senator Troy Heinert will be the Democrat party’s cannon fodder for Noem to grind up in the November 2022 election cycle.

The HEINERTFORSD.com domain was recently registered through Google.com according to a whois search, which goes along with what I’ve heard; that in the past couple of weeks, no less direct a source than Heinert himself has supposedly been telling people privately that he’s in.

This follows a June news report that he’ll be making a decision soon:

Heinert, an enrolled member of Rosebud Sioux Tribe, led a bipartisan dissent against the governor’s merger of the two agencies overseeing environmental regulations and agriculture, and he also introduced a resolution approved by the Senate calling for a congressional inquiry into rescinding battle honors awarded to U.S. soldiers who participated in the Wounded Knee Massacre. He told FNS he and his family are “evaluating what my next move will be.”

“We’ll be making a decision fairly soon,” added Heinert.

Former Democratic state legislator Dan Ahlers, who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Mike Rounds in 2020, told FNS he’s not decided himself on his political future but was excited by a potential Heinert candidacy.

“He’s well-spoken and has a good background,” said Ahlers. “I think he brings a moderate perspective to things, and he is also someone who could help the state mend fences and build bridges on Native issues.”

Read that here.

(Just as an aside, troyheinert.com and heinertforgovernor.com were already off the market at the time that the article was written.)

While Troy is personable enough, I suspect his views, votes, and even some of his legislation will put him squarely in the crosshairs of Governor Kristi Noem on the campaign trail.

Noem will have significant ammunition, with Heinert being among the legislature’s most staunchly pro-choice Democrats, ranked at second most pro-choice Senator in the last election only after former Senator Susan Wismer by South Dakota Right to Life, and previously receiving a 100% ranking from NARAL SD.

Heinert has also not been looked at favorably by the NRA, being graded at a 36% in 2016, 17% in 2018, and a 42% in 2020.

Heinert was also one of the three lowest-rated South Dakota state legislators in 2020 by the American Conservative Union, at 37%, based on their issues.

Had Troy had his way in 2019, I might be risking arrest by writing this article.  Why? Because outrageously he had authored a bill to criminalize speaking against politicians. He actually tried to create a new class of laws creating criminal penalties and subjecting people to arrest for speaking out against politicians.. in America.

And that’s just the start of a laundry list of issues Heinert will have to face running against Governor Noem.

Of course, he’ll have what he perceives as his own ammunition against her. But it remains to be seen if he will be able to convince a majority of South Dakotans that they should replace Governor Noem with himself.

State Senator Mary Duvall, head of the Senate Legislative Redistricting Committee, is noting today that the process of drawing the new lines for legislative districts is close to beginning, as they expect to have census data shortly:

In South Dakota, we anticipate that by the last week in August, legislative staff will be able to have the data organized and loaded into our redistricting software to begin the process of drawing maps for the state.

The Legislative Redistricting Committees will meet August 30 in Pierre to review the data and begin charting our path forward.  We will need to make decisions regarding the minimum and maximum population allowable in each district, as well as the size of the conurbation areas around Sioux Falls and Rapid City.  We are planning a series of meetings in October at various locations throughout the state to solicit public input.

Read her column here.

In the article last night from Dakota News Now, it was noted that “In recent weeks, Howard has begun to appeal to the more conservative faction of Republicans in the state” in an effort to gain traction prior to an announcement for Congress.  But it wasn’t always so. Because there once was a time where Taffy Howard was eager to express her full-throated support to what some may term “the political establishment.”

It appears that ever since Howard was elected and started serving in the State House in 2017, she has moved away from the Republicans whom Howard had previously embraced openly and publicly, and found a home alongside members of the legislature who tack as hard as they can to the right.

But don’t take my word that Taffy had previously been all-in for the political establishment.  Because you can read Howard’s own words as they appeared in print at various times in the Rapid City Journal:

and…

and..

and..

However, after her election to the State House, Howard had stopped writing gushing letters about candidates and started attacking officeholders, including Governor Daugaard, and especially Governor Kristi Noem.

Governor Noem has been a particular target for Taffy’s firebrand practices in the political arena, as Howard has taken several hits at the Governor regarding security expenses for protecting the Governor, on the transgendered athlete ban issue, which found Taffy declaring that “sometimes litigation is necessary,” over the Governor’s more measured approach, and filing an unsuccessful lawsuit to block Noem’s 2019 initiative to expand broadband internet into rural South Dakota.

Given the number of attacks and level of her rhetoric against the popular Republican Governor, one would expect that Howard would be taking Noem on in a primary for Governor.

BUT, having seen Noem’s popularity skyrocket among South Dakota Republicans and Kristi hitting the national stage, despite her constant criticism of the Governor and apparent ambition, Representative Howard knows that taking Noem on would be a losing battle, so she’s selected what she thinks is an easier target in Dusty Johnson.

However (as noted in a previous post) whether Dusty Johnson can be overcome in connection with Howard’s desire to move up the political ladder remains to be seen.

Governor Noem Meets with South Dakota National Guard Troops on the Southern Border

MCALLEN, T.X. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem heard from 48 South Dakota National Guard troops stationed on the southern border. The troops briefed the Governor on what they’ve seen and heard during their deployment.

“Our South Dakota National Guard is proving they can serve with excellence at the southern border. Border Patrol and the Texas National Guard made clear the soldiers we sent are providing critical support for this border mission,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I asked our guardsmen what their needs are and what more we can do to help. They asked for more time to complete this mission, and we are evaluating the possibility of extending their deployment.”

Governor Noem was briefed on the situation at the border by her South Dakota National Guard troops, as well as the Texas National Guard and Border Patrol. During the briefing, both Texas and South Dakota National Guard members made clear the deployment is having a positive impact addressing the crisis. The Governor surveyed three observation posts manned by South Dakota guardsmen and witnessed Border Patrol intaking migrant families at the border wall.

The troops departed for the border on a 30- to 60-day initial deployment on July 6th. Governor Noem subsequently announced that South Dakota will be sending an additional 125 members of the National Guard to the border for a 9 to 12-month deployment at the behest of the federal government. That subsequent deployment will be made later this year.

“I am grateful to these soldiers, who have volunteered for this deployment. The message I have received is clear: this deployment is working, and our Guard is committed to strengthening our border security,” Governor Noem said.

Photos of the Governor meeting with the guardsmen can be found here.

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From Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, details of the services for former State Representative David Lust are being announced:

Prominent business and civic leader, former state legislator, and loving husband and father, David Ellwood Lust, 53, of Rapid City, passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2021 from a cardiac event.

A memorial service will be held for David at 1:30 pm MST on Saturday, July 31, at The Fine Arts Theatre at The Monument in Rapid City. A private Episcopal service will be held for the family.  The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.osheimschmidt.com/obituary/david-lust 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Black Hills Area Community Foundation/David Lust Fund, PO Box 231, Rapid City, SD 57709 for the ​​David Lust Memorial Fund or at https://bit.ly/dlustmemorial

If there are technical issues with the livestream or if you wish to view the service at a later time, the service will be recorded, uploaded later on Saturday and can be viewed at any time on this webpage.

You can read, watch the memorial, or leave your condolences here.

 

According to Dakota News Now, there are continuing reports that Taffy Howard is expected to make an announcement that she is running for Congress against incumbent Congressman Dusty Johnson. Who so far has handily dispatched all comers.

In recent weeks, Howard has begun to appeal to the more conservative faction of Republicans in the state. Last week, Howard spoke at an “American First” Rally in Sioux Falls, sponsored in part by a group named “Primary John Thune in 2022.” Thune has already drawn two primary opponents, Mark Mowry and Bruce Whalen.

When reached for comment, Howard said that she was “exploring all possibilities.”

Read it all here.

So far, Dusty has had primaries in each of his elections.. and to date has utterly smoked his opponents. From Ballotpedia:

and..

In fact, not one Republican opponent has gotten more than 30% against him.  And not just that, but Johnson is literally the most popular political figure in the state right now:

But, it will be a chance to get out the popcorn, as another Quixotic figure decides to start tilting at windmills, thinking that Dusty Johnson – the candidate with the best ground game in state politics – is an easy target.

Good luck with that one.