I hadn’t read this story until it was pointed out to me in postscript of my earlier post, which casts the Haugaard “discussion notes” document in a new light, and heightens the interest of some gossipy things I’ve been hearing.
As I’d noted in an earlier post, there was a teleconference among House members – both Republican and Democrat – facilitated by Legislative Research Council staff at Speaker Haugaard’s request (despite there not being any public notice I can find of the meeting). This was followed by the Haugaard handout.
Steve Haugaard House Handout by Pat Powers on Scribd
And yesterday, an article came out in the Rapid City Journal about proposed “listening sessions” that Speaker Haugaard is assembling:
With talks between Republicans and Democrats stalled in Congress, Haugaard gathered the signatures of 45 lawmakers calling for a special session. To reconvene, the Legislature either needs the support of two-thirds of both the House and Senate or to be called into session by the governor.
Haugaard said he had not yet heard back from Noem’s office on a special session, but said there is “increasing momentum for that, certainly among the House members.”
He is also assembling listening sessions to hear from the public on how the money might be put to best use. Haugaard pointed out that businesses and individuals may be struggling in the coming months from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
and…
“We still have plenty of time,” Noem’s spokeswoman Maggie Seidel said, claiming that the “vast majority” of lawmakers don’t want a special session.
About these “listening sessions”… there’s talk that they’ll be done under the umbrella of the legislature. Which could potentially mean that they’ll be arranged on the taxpayer’s dime.. as opposed to meetings that are held in communities during the legislative session (“cracker barrels,” which are sponsored locally, and aren’t taxpayer funded.)
While Haugaard notes 45 legislators who have supposedly signed on for a special session, that would leave 60 who haven’t. A far cry from the 2/3 of both the House and Senate that would have to agree to call everyone to Pierre.
These listening meetings seem to be an attempt at increasing justification for a special session to be pushed for. Because if they can’t convince legislators to call a special session now, they can hold meetings to push for it.
If you look at the document sent out, if it’s purely for discussion purposes, I can’t help but note some of the options that the Speaker is presenting in it:
Options:
1)Inventive solutions for all affected areas.
2)Modify / suspend burdensome rules or regulations.
3)Grants or loans.
4)Suspend some taxes.
5)Invite banks to forgive business loan interest with state match / grant / loans.
6)Liability protections.
If those are the options, what exactly on that list from 2-6 can be accomplished without a special session.. especially if they want to do it under the current budget year?
What’s driving the push by the Speaker for a special session? Here’s where we get into a little speculation and a little rumor.
The first is that now-speaker and State Rep. Haugaard is out of a speaker job after this year, and his name is being bandied about as being one of those in competition to run for House Majority Leader, a position which is vacant with Lee Qualm’s departure from the House.
Leading a push for a special session would give him a heightened platform before the caucus meetings where they’d elect those positions, coming about the time of the Governor’s budget address.
Let’s also not forget there’s also been a bit of conflict in the past between Haugaard and Governor Noem:
Tomorrow the legislative executive board will decide who should pay for Speaker Haugaard’s legal bills. The taxpayers or Haugaard?
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) March 29, 2019
(I do believe he wrote the check, BTW)
So, there’s a been some history of disagreement between the big office on the second floor, and the eastern end of the third floor, and there’s talk that this might be an attempt by the speaker to heighten his profile a state level. I’ve even heard some go as far as to say the Speaker may covet Governor Noem’s office… but in light of Kristi’s popularity among Republican faithful, I can’t take any such rumors seriously.
The Executive Board is scheduled to meet on August 31st, but no agenda has been posted yet. When they get around to it, I’ll be curious to see if discussion on these listening meetings is on the agenda, and the action they end up taking on them.
I might also mention that people will be starting to vote in mid-September.
Will there be a push for a Special Session to be conducted while the election is underway? Or will the Exec Board decide to stay the course, save the money they’d spend on a special session, and figure it out in January?
Yes, it may annoy you, Mr. PP, but the Haugaard fellow has gone off the rails and is lashing about in his political death-throes. Thank goodness your pal Mr. Brock has some sense to keep this p0rn-stachioed self-promoting clown off the floor.
I’m glad to see legislators taking interest and holding these meetings. We are talking about over a billion dollars in funds.
During legislative session they argue over $10k. Why not discuss $1 billion?
45 is a substantial number.
Clearly there is a divide among the legislature and governor which means they should continue discussions.
That’s 45 HOUSE MEMBERS, i.e. 45 of 70. The Senate does whatever the governor tells them, and rarely communicates with the House. They can’t think for themselves. Maybe Schoenbeck can change that.
Slow down 10:15 AM! Are you talking about Shoenbeck who worked with former Governor Daugaard to help get the half penny sales tax pushed through? He did not listen to many in House leadership who opposed the tax back then and may not hold the House credible over the Governor in the future.
Schoenbeck will go his own way.
If they have 45 names they should hold an open call with Media and send out a press release calling for a special session.
The legislative body needs to understand the importance of the media and public opinion.
Right now most people have no idea what their position is.
Haugaard, Gosch and The dems should send out a joint bi partisan release.
The house and senate should appoint one member the send out releases during session also.
The only thing that attracts flies more than a pot full of honey is a pot full of money
I’d like to see some liability protections for business, employers, schools, governments and all others from suing relating to Covid. It would amount to suing because you got the flu from someone.
I would like to see Haugaard butt out, quit his campaign rhetoric, and let the Executive branch make decisions..of which he is not one.
State Rep. Haugaard has an agenda to make this state such a place where anyone who doesn’t think exactly like him (ultra-conservative) isn’t welcomed. No wonder why our children are leaving SD and not looking back!
Pat – please investigate what Haugaard and other ultra-conservative reps are working on this summer. It’s disgusting.
I’ll be casting a vote for Michelle Hentschel in November in District 10.
Since the very nice Ms. Kirsten Walrath-Noem brought up voting, grudznick is voting his duty and selecting the Roman Catholic. It’s been a long time since he’s had that choice and grudznick loves choices.
Questions needing answers : Do we have an immediate emergency or threat an ES would eliminate? Are any of the general public in danger right now which an ES would remedy? What are the financial gains or losses if an ES is held or not held? Can the Governor direct the movement of State Government in such a way to alleviate the need for an ES? What are the names of the sitting Legislators who believe an ES must be put into motion?