Tragedies like the one @govkristinoem‘s family experienced happen too frequently and call for greater action, which is why I have signed a proclamation naming next week Grain Bin Safety Week. WATCH: https://t.co/XQoRjjGhqO
— Sec. Sonny Perdue (@SecretarySonny) February 14, 2020
House Bill 1057 which proposes to ban Transgender surgery and other procedures on minors seems to be a flashpoint for some in the legislature, especially after the measure’s defeat in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
This issue seems to have so far been one of the most divisive issues facing the Legislature this year, as evidenced today when District 14 State House Candidate Brad Lindwurm took to facebook, and while not using her name, called out District 14 State Senator Deb Soholt, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee for joining with the majority in the committee and voting against the measure. In part:
Lindwurm was particularly pointed in his criticism of the Senator, going so far as to poke at both the Senator and her employer. While Lindwurm called out Soholt as a “so-called Republican legislator,” the issue does not seem to be addressed in the State Republican platform.
Being termed out of the Senate this year, Sen. Soholt might choose to be done with the State Legislature. But, there is a distinct possibility that she might run for the House, meaning Lindwurm might have picked a fight with someone who could be his opponent for one of the two House seats in District 14.
Agree or disagree on the issue, Soholt has proven to be a formidable opponent for all comers in the District, and only in her first election year in 2012 received less than 60% of the vote.
Going on the attack might not have been a prudent action for Lindwurm if he wanted to encourage the Senator to stay out of the race, as he might find he’s bitten off more than he cares to chew.
State Legislative filings have been slow, but we have a couple of interesting developments.
First off, State Rep. Taffy Howard has filed for her seat in the House, ending speculation that she would run for the open State Senate Seat that State Rep. David Johnson staked his claim on early and triggering a primary. There may yet be one, but not from Howard.
Huron attorney, and long time Republican activist David Wheeler is running for the District 22 State Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jim White, who has been termed out of office.
The biggest surprise of the day is that House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, who is termed out of office is going to run for the State Senate seat currently held by State Senator Rocky Blare. Blare has not filed petitions yet, but I’ve heard that Blare is likely to drop down and run for the House. Or we could have a primary develop.
47 days left to file petitions, and we STILL do not have any Democrats who have filed for the State Legislature.
Stay tuned.
Let me make sure I’m understanding this.
Sioux Falls City Councilor Janet Brekke – a former Sioux Falls City Attorney – is seeking legal guidance regarding Sioux Falls city councilors endorsing candidates in the city election… just like others did for her when she first ran?
Councilor Janet Brekke wants some legal guidance on what she calls “an ethical minefield” when it comes to politicians using their influence and money in city elections.
The first-term at-large councilor this week filed paperwork with the City Attorney’s Office asking for an advisory opinion from the Sioux Falls Board of Ethics on whether public officials can support other Sioux Falls office seekers using their official titles, political action committees and hosting fundraisers.
and..
In 2016, then-candidate Theresa Stehly used an endorsement from the late Kermit Staggers on campaign mailers she sent out, which included his title as city councilor. And last year, Councilor Christine Erickson used her title in a campaign fundraising announcement for Alex Jensen, who is running for Stehly’s seat in this year’s election. She also made a campaign contribution to Jensen.
Brekke herself received a $300 donation from Stehly in her 2018 campaign, which is noted in her request for an advisory opinion.
There’s an ethical minefield here? I’m not sure what would be unethical about city councilors expressing their constitutional right to free speech..
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
That’s a pretty simple concept, which is also a position advocated by Sioux Falls City Councilor Christine Erickson in the article. Not sure why a person with a law degree needs a panel to weigh in on it to figure it out.
It was legal when she and others did it. It’s legal for others. (Let freedom ring!)
Thune: It’s Our Job to Protect the Rights of the Unborn
“Science and ultrasounds and common sense all make it very clear that when we talk about unborn children, we’re talking about human beings, with their own fingerprints and their own DNA.”
Click here or on the image above to watch Thune’s speech.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Democrats’ refusal to recognize the rights of the unborn. Senate Republicans will continue to stand up for what’s right and fight on behalf of unborn children. Thune also recognized the tens of thousands of pro-life Americans, including those from South Dakota, who marched in January to advocate for the hundreds of thousands of babies that are killed by abortion each year in this country.
One of the writers at the National Review magazine posted a article today which had some strong words for the State Senate Health & Human Services Committee for their rejection of House Bill 1057:
The Cowardly Republicans of South Dakota
By MADELEINE KEARNSWhen presented with evidence, senators put their fat heads between their legs.
For proof that Republicans can be just as lazy, self-serving, and cowardly as Democrats, look no farther than the South Dakota Senate.
As reported by my colleague Tobias Hoonhout, this week Republican senators Duhamel, Rusch, Steinhauer, and Soholt of the Health and Human Services Committee all joined the 5–2 majority that effectively killed a bill designed to make it easier for gender-confused minors to attain financial compensation later in life — should they realize, before age 38, that the doctors who stunted their puberty, destroyed their fertility, and permanently impaired their sexual function had failed to meet the acceptable standards of (what are we calling it these days?) health care.
Well, that’s kind of harsh. And maybe a bit unnecessary. The bigger fight will be on the Senate floor, where we might see more fireworks on the measure as it’s anticipated that the bill will be ‘smoked out’ of committee, which will require a motion from the floor of the Senate.
A ‘smoke out’ is a procedure in which a third of state senators have to vote to direct the committee to bring the bill to the floor, which if supported, the bill will typically be sent from the committee with a ‘no recommendation’ vote.
The call to demand this procedural measure will be the first true test of whether the bill can survive a hearing in the full Senate. We’ll know that soon enough with the smoke out motion possibly happening as soon as today when the Senate meets at 1pm.
From the Brookings County GOP:
Johnson Sits Down with Captain America
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today sat down with actor Chris Evans to participate in a civic engagement project called, “A Starting Point.”
“If we want to get things done, we have to work together,” said Johnson. “I’m glad Captain America is once again coming to the rescue and working to promote respectful dialogue between both Republicans and Democrats. We live in a world where information is literally at our fingertips, and this project will allow people to go directly to the source for that political conversation.”
Director Mark Kassen (left), Rep. Dusty Johnson (middle), Actor Chris Evans (right)
A Starting Point will launch on March 14th and will feature videos of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle discussing various policies.
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Noem, Art Leaders Announce Inaugural Governor’s Student Art Competition
Governor Kristi Noem today announced the South Dakota Governor’s Student Art Competition, a new program to promote visual art among students in South Dakota.
“The arts play a significant role in growing South Dakota’s economy and enhancing our way of life,” said Noem. “This year, I am excited to launch the first annual Governor’s Student Art Competition that will recognize and encourage budding artists in our state.”
“I am very excited to be a part of the investment the governor is making in cultivating the next generation of South Dakota artists,” said District 26 Representative Rebecca Reimer. “I look forward to experiencing all the works of art that are yet to be created and the stories they will tell.”
“This is a great opportunity for our young people to be able to showcase their talent, and we are able to look at the world through their eyes,” said Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert. “I’d like to thank Governor Noem for bringing this initiative forward.”
“I was only seven years old when I entered and won my first art contest, which propelled me into an incredible self-discovery,” said Bria Neff, a 7th grade student artist from Sioux Falls. “Art gives children the gift of imagination that will color their world with possibilities.”
“I want to thank Governor Noem for prioritizing this program and putting student artists in the spotlight,” said Dale Lamphere, South Dakota Artist Laureate. “I hope this program shows our promising young students that South Dakota is a great place to live and work as an artist.”
“Without artists, we wouldn’t have Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse. We wouldn’t have the Redlin Art Center or the Dignity Statue. The Faulkton murals wouldn’t exist, and people wouldn’t have the opportunity to admire the beauty that is the Arc of Dreams. South Dakota is a canvas that inspires creativity, and I’m thrilled to use this competition to encourage our students to pursue art right here in South Dakota,” concluded Noem.
This spring, the South Dakota Arts Council will distribute program information to schools throughout the state, and submissions will be accepted in the fall. More information on logistics and criteria will be announced in the coming months.
Contributing millions of dollars to local revenues each year, the arts play a significant role in South Dakota’s economy. South Dakota is home to more than 1,300 arts-related businesses that employ nearly 6,500 people.
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One of the fiscal questions that’s been out there for the upcoming state budget to be voted on by the South Dakota State Legislature regards how much will be out there for education in terms of what the state provides to local school districts via state aid to education.
The South Dakota Department of Education recently provided a snapshot of this funding over the past decade. And South Dakota has not only kept pace with inflation since 2011, state funding for education has outpaced inflation, even including the 2011 budget cuts.
With the state being 32nd in funding per student nationally, yet teacher salaries for the state are at 47th, it really does put the question about how much the state pays towards teacher salaries back on Districts.
If South Dakota is putting in state aid to education at the rate of 32nd in the nation, but school districts are paying teachers at 47th, the problem might not be the rate at which the state provides aid to education.