Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Justin is making us wait for his campaign finance disclosure report.

And you’re probably saying “who’s that?”

Justin. Justin McNeal.. you know who that is, don’t you?  You probably don’t even though he’s been running for Congress since about the 28th of December. According to his bio, Justin McNeal was born in Illinois and was raised in Texas, and moved to the state in 2021. He had some grandparents live here, so of course he thought – I should go to South Dakota and run for Congress. Because everyone does that after they live in the state for two years. You can find his website here, although it appears that it has some disclaimer issues.

Anyway, the point of the post is that Justin is kicking the can down the road with regards to filing his financial disclosure report that all congressional candidates have to do, so it looks like we might be waiting for it until the end of April. Assuming he makes it any farther in the race.

Kudos to McNeal for at least attempting to do some paperwork for the race, as the other guy, Patrick Schubert, hasn’t even gone so far to file anything but declaring his committee in August of last year. You would think that after having tried running in the last election in 2022 against Senator Thune, and tanking epically, not being able to achieve the ballot, he might have gotten his act together this time with 6 months on the trail this time. But, no.

While these guys are still trying to figure things out, current Congressman Dusty Johnson is adding to his total of $3.9 million in the bank to put towards the upcoming election.

I think we can all guess how this is going to go.

Gov. Noem Signs E15 Fuel Tax Refund into Law
Signs Six Other Bills 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem held a bill signing ceremony for SB 78, which provides for an E15 fuel tax refund.

“Renewable fuels are a very important part of America’s all-of-the-above energy supply, and ethanol is vital to South Dakota’s future. The Biden Administration’s policies have driven gas prices up for South Dakotans, and this bill will provide our citizens with needed relief,” said Governor Noem. “It will make higher ethanol blends more readily available, bringing prices down at the pump. We’re committed to an all-of-the-above approach to energy that doesn’t pick winners and losers but lowers prices for all South Dakotans.”

Governor Noem was joined by the bill’s prime sponsors, Senator Casey Crabtree and Representative Drew Peterson, as well as leaders from the state’s ethanol industry. A photo from the bill signing can be found here.

Governor Noem also signed the following six bills into law:

• SB 16 makes appropriations for water and environmental purposes and to declare an emergency;
• SB 28 modifies tax refunds for elderly persons and persons with a disability, to make an appropriation therefor;
• SB 35 provides that certain personal information of a lottery prize winner may only be used for advertising or promotion with the winner’s consent;
• HB 1077 provides for the disbursement of the catastrophic county poor relief fund to the participating counties in the event of the discontinuance of the fund;
• HB 1124 provides for the temporary filling of water development district board positions created as a result of population increases, and;
• HB 1145 modifies brand registration and use laws.

Governor Noem has signed 71 bills into law this legislative session.

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SDEPA Applauds Passing and Signing of E15 Bill

PIERRE, S.D. (February 15, 2024) – South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association applauds Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Legislature for passing Senate Bill 78. This bill provides a five-cent per gallon retail tax incentive for E15, a 15% bioethanol fuel blend.

“Thank you to Governor Kristi Noem, Senate Majority Leader Crabtree, Representative Drew Peterson, and all of South Dakota’s legislators who supported South Dakota drivers and farmers with this bill,” said Walt Wendland, SD Ethanol Producers Association Board President. “It will expand access to E15, which saves consumers money at the pump, bolsters our agricultural industry and state economy, and supports farming families across the state.”

E15 is a high-performance biofuel blend made from South Dakota-grown corn and is compatible with virtually every car, truck and SUV on the road today.

https://sdethanol.com/sdepa-applauds-passing-and-signing-of-e15-bill/

First ‘Med Ed’ Bill in the Nation Passes House with 63-6 Vote
Measure Stops Abortion Industry Misinformation from Endangering Women

Pierre, S.D. – The SD House of Representatives has passed a bi-partisan bill to protect pregnant women’s lives. The Med Ed Bill that received approval by a 63-6 vote is sponsored Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt (R), Rep. Joh Hansen (R), Rep. Oren Lesmeister (D), and 27 other lawmakers to establish clarity to medical professionals on the ability and necessity of providing emergency care to pregnant women under South Dakota’s life at conception law.

The South Dakota Med Ed Bill is the first legislation of its kind drafted to end the confusion caused by the abortion industry through direct education to medical professionals. Other states have taken similar steps administratively: The Louisiana Health Department put out guidance on their life of the mother provision and Oklahoma and Kentucky attorneys general issued advisory opinions.

Under HB 1224, the materials will be established through the Department of Health and with input from the attorney general, medical professionals and legal experts. The video will cover the details of the state’s abortion law, the most common medical conditions that threaten the life or health of a pregnant woman, the standards of care for treating a pregnant woman in a medical emergency, and a practitioner’s ability to use reasonable medical judgment in all situations.

Kelsey Pritchard, state public affairs director for SBA Pro-Life America, thanked Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt for bringing the legislation:

“We thank the sponsors and those who voted yes today to defend South Dakota moms. South Dakota is showing the rest of the nation how to protect women’s lives by making it abundantly clear that pregnant women can and must receive timely emergency care under our pro-life law. Abortion activists have sown confusion on this point around the nation to justify their agenda for no limits on abortion. This lie not only deceives but puts women in danger, and a Med Ed policy is the solution.”

During her comments on the House floor, Rep. Rehfeldt said:

“Mother’s lives are worth having a conversation about. Mothers lives are worth having a bill. The Department of Health is supportive of this bill as well as multiple stakeholders including healthcare, including some of our friends from organizations, and the best part about it is that it requires medical and legal expertise – to rely on their expertise so that we can best take care of moms.”

The bill passed in House State Affairs earlier this week with overwhelming support and zero testimony in opposition. Those who testified in favor of the bill included the Governor’s Office, the Department of Health, SBA Pro-Life America, SD Right to Life and Sanford Health. In her testimony on behalf of Sanford, Grace Beck said:

“At Sanford Health we recognize that each time a mother walks through our doors we’ve been entrusted with the health of two patients. The mother and the child. We are supportive of House Bill 1224 and appreciative of the prime sponsor’s efforts to provide clarity around our abortion laws.”

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.

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A very nice departure note came out a short time ago from Jazmine Kemp, Dusty Johnson’s Deputy Chief of Staff & Communications Director:

Colleagues & Friends –

After 7+ years on the hill, five of those with Dusty, my time in the House is coming to an end. Friday will mark my last day with the office.

It has been a privilege to work with so many of you, whether it was as a coworker, a source, or just a friendly face in the hallway – you have all made an impact.

Everyone says having a child changes your priorities – that being said, I will be taking some time off to stay home with my little one.

Please stay in touch and don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything from me. Keep up the fight!

Signing off,

Jazmine Kemp | Executive Director
Republican Main Street Caucus
Rep. Dusty Johnson

As noted, the new mom is taking some time off for her new baby. Best wishes for Jazmine and family on her new adventures and wherever the road takes her.

Governor Noem Now Accepting Applications for Summer Interns 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem and her office are now accepting applications for the 2024 Summer Internship Program. This internship program provides students with a first-hand experience within state government and the functions of the Governor’s Office.

Student interns will work directly with the governor’s staff on projects centered around the applicant’s interests and strengths. Work may include researching projects, assisting with events and meetings, and staffing the general office. Additional duties include aiding the governor’s policy team, general counsel, constituent services team, and communications team. Interns will also have the opportunity to make meaningful connections and the experiences during their time.

The length of this in-person internship is negotiable and the schedule is flexible. The recommended availability is May through September.

Those who are interested and would like to be considered for an internship should submit a resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation to brad.otten@state.sd.us. Applications should be submitted by Friday March 15, 2024.

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Couple of Valentine’s Days items I didn’t see until the trip home this morning, so I have to play catch up on them.

An Aberdeen reader sent me this Valentine’s poem circulating on one of the local facebook groups from a resident to former Congressional Explorer Toby Doeden:

I think the blurred part said friend you, don’t you think?

Who didn’t get a Valentine’s Day card yesterday?  Probably Shad Olson, who remains in Meade County custody after being arrested on charges of “22-18-1.1 – Aggravated Assault Domestic.”

If he did get a valentines day card, it probably would have been slipped under the door by someone wearing orange… Probably not the kind he was looking for.

Bringing back Pierre donut shop donuts to Brookings!

It’s not you, Republican State Central Committee, it’s me. My heart is broken over what a complete sh*t show of a mess you’ve become, as you seem intent on losing elections and bashing those left standing. So I’m going out on my own to face the world..

For Valentine’s Day I’m taking the opportunity to have some fun, and continue riffing on the Republican State Central Committee’s public breakup with me for Valentine’s Day from our seat in government in Pierre. I’m going to walk the halls of power, stop in and see many friends, and maybe even testify on legislation if I’m so inclined.

So check in from time to time for updates on the Heartbreaker tour straight from dakotawarcollege.com.

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And an appropriate musical interlude…   Stay Tuned!

No wonder the GOP Central Committee uninvited me from working with the party because I point out stupid things.

The latest in silliness is the Butte County GOP announcing their guest speaker for their 2024 Lincoln Day Dinner, former Speaker of the House Steve Haugaard, the man who lost both a race for Governor (3-1) AND Lt. Governor within a 30 day timespan.

You know, you can’t make this stuff up.

It’s like they sat on the ground in a sharing circle (criss-cross applesauce, everyone), and thought Who is the one person that people want to see speak at a GOP Dinner?  Unfortunately, someone left their car running and backed up to the building, and they all inhaled too many exhaust fumes while they were sitting on the ground, and someone addled by the fumes uttered how about Steve Haugaard, before they slipped into unconsciousness and fire/rescue had to be called.

Tickets are $35 each, and no. They will not pay you $35 if you attend. That’s what has to come out of your own pocket.

The person who spent 6 months attacking the Governor and running literally one of the most uninspirational races we’ve ever seen. BEFORE he doubled down and went after the Lt. Governor seat.

No words.