Author: @SoDakCampaigns

It has been kind of a big week for the Summit Carbon Pipeline, as while some were thinking it might be able to be put down for a ten-count, they’ve bounced back in federal court, where the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals wiped away local ordinances which tried to stop it. (8th Circuit includes SD, BTW)

Only a short time ago Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered a veto to an anti-pipeline law that came out of their legislature.  Sabrina Zenor with Summit Carbon Solutions just issued a statement thanking Governor Reynolds for her decision:

We thank the Governor and her staff for their thoughtful and thorough review of the bill. Summit remains committed to working with landowners through voluntary agreements—just as we have with more than 1,300 Iowa landowners to date, resulting in $175 million in payments. We look forward to continued discussions with state leaders as we advance this important project. At a time when farmers are facing increasing pressures, this project opens the door to new markets and helps strengthen America’s energy dominance for the long term.

And the Governor earned that thanks. The veto message was quite powerful. South Dakota’s leaders should take the time to read it, as the Governor was quite direct with regards to doing business in her state:

“HF 639 isn’t just about eminent domain. It goes much further-and in doing so, sets a troubling precedent that threatens Iowa’s energy reliability, economy, and reputation as a place where businesses can invest with confidence.”

2025.06.11 HF639_Full Veto Message by Pat Powers on Scribd

Governor Reynolds noted that her state should have a “reputation as a place where businesses can invest with confidence.”

As we watch a couple hundred miles to the west, as some run amok trying to shut down any development in our state, whether it’s pipelines, solar farms or data centers, being a place where businesses can invest with confidence is a message we’re not hearing enough of.

Either we want jobs in South Dakota or we don’t.

ACA Applauds Governor Reynolds for Vetoing HF 639

URBANDALE, Iowa (June 11, 2025) — Tom Buis, CEO of the American Carbon Alliance (ACA), released the following statement today applauding Governor Kim Reynolds’ resolute veto of House File 639:

“Governor Kim Reynolds has once again proven she’s an unwavering champion for Iowa’s farmers and ethanol producers, standing tall as a national leader in defending rural America and advancing its full economic potential.

“Her bold veto of HF 639 is a clear victory for Iowa’s agricultural heartland, farmers, and the ethanol industry. It sends a strong message rejecting the misguided efforts of environmental extremists who pushed this legislation. These groups have done everything in their power to undermine agriculture, ethanol, and America’s energy dominance with their anti-ag, anti-ethanol, and anti-energy agenda.

“We are deeply thankful for the thousands of Iowans who spoke up, making their voices heard and letting Governor Reynolds know their economic future depended on this veto.

“Farmers and ethanol producers deserve thriving, open markets, not activist government that changes the rules in the middle of the game. Governor Reynolds’ steadfast leadership protects their ability to compete in the global demand for low-carbon ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel, fueling prosperity across Iowa’s rural communities.

“By rejecting HF 639, Gov. Reynolds is safeguarding the livelihoods of hardworking farmers and ethanol producers while advancing President Trump’s America First energy agenda. Governor Reynolds’ tireless commitment to agriculture and ethanol, backed by the passionate support of Iowa’s people, cements the state’s role as a global powerhouse, driving jobs, growth, and opportunity for generations to come.”

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The American Carbon Alliance (ACA) is formed to be one unified voice for carbon capture pipelines, ethanol producers, landowners, farmers, construction trade workers and citizens that embrace this new energy future for America. Working together, this alliance will strengthen America’s agricultural economy, ensure a future marketplace for American produced liquid fuel and improve the environment for all.

Summit Carbon Solutions found success in federal court this last week against Iowa counties that attempted to regulate the planned carbon pipeline, giving a renewed boost to the future of carbon capture for the region’s ethanol producers.

According to Iowa Public Radio/Iowa Capital Dispatch, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision, similar to attempts to place setbacks on pipelines in South Dakota, barred Iowa counties from setting their own standards when federal regulations are preemptive:

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld lower court decisions barring counties from imposing safety standards on a pipeline subject to federal safety standards.

The cases involved Summit Carbon Solutions, the company proposing to build a carbon sequestration pipeline through the state, and county supervisors from both Story and Shelby counties.

Summit sued the counties in 2022 for enacting ordinances that required county-specific setback requirements and other regulations the company argued were preempted by federal pipeline safety laws.

and..

Writing for the appeals court, U.S. Circuit Judge Duane Benton wrote that the county ordinances “focus” on safety and “repeatedly” mention safety risks associated with the pipeline, which “undermines” the Pipeline Safety Act’s goal of preempting state regulations on safety.

“This holding does not prohibit local governments from considering safety, nor prevent them from enacting all zoning ordinances, as the counties suggest,” Benton said in the opinion. “This court emphasizes the distinction between safety standards — which the PSA preempts — and safety considerations — which the PSA does not preempt.”

The county ordinances also included emergency response requirements and abandonment provisions which the court ruled were also preempted by federal regulations.

Read the entire story here.

With Summit Carbon’s success this last week with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, the question now is how exactly federal courts might look at laws and regulations which were passed in this state by anti-development interests in an attempt to prevent the carbon capture pipeline project from being built in South Dakota.

Finding success in challenging the Iowa-NIMBY efforts in federal court, could a new legal challenge be brought against the South Dakota-NIMBY laws passed to halt efforts to provide carbon capture for ethanol development over the last year or so?

Could be.

I know of him more from his association with his wife, former SDGOP National Committeewoman Mary Jean Jensen, but word comes that former Republican State Senator Eldon Jensen of Lemmon passed away this last Friday, June 6th.  Eldon served in the Senate for 4 years, from 1977 through 1980.

According to his obituary, Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.  Rev. Allen Wickstrom will officiate and burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025 at the Prince of Peace Chapel of Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

Please keep Mary Jean and her family in your prayers in their time of loss.

This was just posted to social media by the SDGOP. Although, as the former 32-year Democrat supposedly in charge tells us, Jim Eschenbaum feels the need to inform people that …he’s not actually in charge of social media for the party.

“…Although I don’t directly manage the social media posts or comments”. “One complaint is that we are posting too much media from the Governor’s office.”

So.. as chairman, he actually isn’t in control? Kind of sounds like the inmates are running the asylum over at the SDGOP.

The person pretending to be a chairman feels he needs to respond to people complaining when they actually kind-of sort-of perform a political party function?  I’d ask who is in charge if the person elected to be in charge claims he isn’t in charge, since technically the buck is supposed to stop with him. Not that the SDGOP has any bucks to stop.

Instead of worrying about social media comments, the chair should be more worried about being so far unable to raise any money. Or reports that he may have a staffer recruiting for one of the campaigns in the gubernatorial primary.

But why would he worry about that? It’s not in a facebook comment.

Attorney General Jackley Announce DCI Investigating 4^th Inmate Death at the South Dakota State Penitentiary

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating the death of an inmate at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

The inmate, identified as Nicholas Skorka, 42, was found deceased in his cell Tuesday. An autopsy has been ordered for Thursday.

“DCI will do a thorough investigation, and we will determine what additional action is needed pending the results of that investigation,” said Attorney General Jackley.

DCI is investigating the deaths of four prison inmates that have occurred since February. More details will be made available when the investigations are completed. Attorney General Jackley plans to announce any criminal action in the near future at the appropriate time.

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Attorney General Jackley Announces Former State Employee Sentenced for Forgery-Related Charges

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Springfield, S.D. woman was sentenced to two years in prison on each count, suspended on conditions ordered by the court; ordered to pay $2,000 in fines, and placed on five years-probation for earlier pleading guilty to four forgery-related charges. The crimes were committed while she was an employee of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and performing contract work for the Department of Health.

Renee Strong, 55, was sentenced Tuesday in Hughes County Circuit Court on two Class 6 felony counts of Offering False or Forged Instruments for Filing or Recording in a Public Office and two Class 5 felony counts of Forgery. She was sentenced to two years in prison for each count, all suspended; $500 fines on each count, and $116.50 in court costs on each count. She was also sentenced to 40 hours of community service.

Strong was accused of forging and falsifying food service inspection reports while performing inspections for the Department of Health through a contract with the Department of Public Safety.

“This defendant jeopardized public health when she forged health inspection records,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Her actions also harmed the reputation of those state employees who work hard and take pride in public service.”

South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigated the case, and the Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case.

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South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine M. Kern Announces Retirement 

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine M. Kern has announced that she will retire from the bench on Dec. 8, 2025.

Justice Kern was appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court in 2014 by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to represent the First Supreme Court District, which includes Custer, Lawrence, Meade and Pennington counties. She previously served as circuit court judge for 18 years. Justice Kern’s father, retired circuit court judge Paul J. Kern, administered her oath of office as a justice, circuit court judge and attorney.

“It is with a heart brimming with gratitude for the trust and confidence placed in me, which gave me the opportunity to serve the people of this great state, that I notify you of my retirement on December 8, 2025, nearly twenty-nine years to the day of my investiture as a circuit court judge,” Justice Kern said. “It has been a deep honor and privilege to serve.”

“Justice Kern has always had an unwavering commitment to justice, the integrity of the courts, and a deep compassion for the people we serve.  Her passion for law and for people has impacted all of us and made the court system better,” Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen said. “Personally, the members of the Court will truly miss Justice Kern as she has been a wonderful friend and colleague to each of us. We wish her all the best as she moves on to her life’s next chapter in December.”

Justice Kern was appointed a circuit court judge in 1996 in the Seventh Judicial Circuit comprised of Custer, Fall River, Oglala Lakota and Pennington counties. Before serving as a judge, she worked in the Attorney General’s office from 1985 to 1996 in a variety of capacities including the appellate division, drug prosecution unit and as director of the litigation division. Justice Kern received a bachelor of science degree from Arizona State University in 1982 and her juris doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1985.

Justice Kern is a member of the American Law Institute, the State Bar Association, the Pennington County Bar Association, the American Bar Association Fellows and past president of the South Dakota Judges Association. She served on the Council of Juvenile Services from 2004 to 2013 and on the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice from 2004 and 2008, as well as on numerous other boards and commissions.

“Justice Kern has made a lasting impression on the legal profession,” said Gov. Larry Rhoden. “She has been an incredible lawyer, prosecutor and judge for 28 years. I work with several young attorneys who look up to her as a role model, so her steady hand on the court will be missed. As I review potential appointments to replace her on the bench, I will be hopeful that we can find a future Supreme Court judge of her caliber.”

The Supreme Court is comprised of five justices appointed by the governor from a list of two or more people nominated by the Judicial Qualifications Commission. Justices must be licensed to practice law in South Dakota and voting residents of the district from which they are appointed at the time they take office.

View Justice Kern’s photo.

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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov. 

What a difference a couple of weeks make.  The Mayor of Mitchell had released a letter at the end of May asking the Prison Task force to consider his community for the site of a new men’s prison:

The proposal is still in early stages, but when asked Hanson what he wants to see, both from the state and from his own community as the proposal moves forward.

“If the state is very serious about our location, I want to talk about it seriously, because I don’t want to get the community of Mitchell divided about a possible prison that there’s no serious possibility of coming to our town,” said Hanson.

and..

As a final thought on the matter for the day, Hanson wanted to share his opinion that Mitchell is likely one of the best locations for this project, or for any other large facility.

Read that here.

And now.. on second thought, now can’t run from it quickly enough:

On the heels of the Davison County Sheriff coming out against the facility in the area, Mitchell’s Mayor Jordan Hanson, who once lobbied for the prison, is now firmly against it.

and..

Looking back, I recognize I was too focused on the potential economic benefits, and not focused enough on the emotional, social, and long-term financial impact this project could have on the families who make Mitchell the town it is today.

and..

So today, I am making my position clear: effective immediately, I do not and will not support this proposed prison project in the Mitchell Community.

Read that here.

Glad to see nothing ever changes in politics.

Are we up to 3 billion in projected costs on the project yet?

The SDGOP filed it’s June 2025 FEC Report a little early this month. No reason not to, as it appears the financials are pretty simple to do when you’re unable to raise anything, except a donation from the treasurer who probably didn’t want to see the party completely skunked this month.

SDGOP_June2025FECReport by Pat Powers on Scribd

You can’t help but ask yourself, how does the South Dakota Republican Party – the state’s largest political organization –  only manage to have a single donation in a month? Seriously?

Especially when it appears to be a pity donation from the State Party’s treasurer.

That’s correct. State GOP Treasurer Sen. Tina Mulally was the lone donor with a $700 check. Plus they earned $4.25 interest on the remaining balance in their account which seems to be inexorably decreasing as funds drip – drip – drip out on the inevitable expenditures.

$704.25 raised. $3904.71 spent. and $36,644.41 remaining in the bank for the federal account at the moment.

So, so bad. It’s really painful to see at this point.  You really have to ask why the GOP can only raise a $700 pity donation from the treasurer when we have over 320,000 registered Republicans in South Dakota?

At some point you have to consider that the problem is the populists now in charge of the party, and not the people who put R on the voter registration card.

What’s the phrase?  A man reaps what he sows. And the cultivation doesn’t seem to be going so well nowadays.