I wonder if the Democrats run Jay Williams because they know I’m going to have fun with it?
Well, after running for State Senate in 2020, and before, Jay Williams has filed petitions today to run for District 18 House.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” Let the good times roll!
Taffy Howard, Challenger for Congress seems to be busy finding her own truth this morning. As she’s posted a video where she claims she “crushed” Dusty Johnson in signature collection.
So, Taffy claims that they’ve “turned in more than 4200 petitions, with more than 150 volunteers across the state. We handily beat Dusty on Signatures, now we’re going to handily beat him on election day.”
Unfortunately for Taffy, as my mother would have said, she’s full of beans. Because here are the figures from the Secretary of State:
Despite Taffy’s claims, according to the Secretary of State, her team collected and submitted 3478 signatures, and based on her validity sample, the Secretary of State estimated she had 2866 valid signatures.
What did the SOS have to say about her opponent, Dusty Johnson’s petitions? Did Taffy actually “crush him” as she claims?
Well, no. Not at all. Because Dusty actually turned in 3582 signatures to Taffy’s 3478. For Taffy, who appears to be arithmetically challenged, that would be more than she turned in, according to the official record.
What’s more, Dusty is credited with a higher validity rate, 85.78% to Taffy’s 82.43%.
Taffy turned in far less than she claimed, certainly didn’t “crush” her opponent, and at least at first blush, in her campaign she seems to have an issue with following the 9th commandment as handed down to Moses. (Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor).
Considering both of them have far more than needed, it’s more than a silly debate for Taffy to try to claim false momentum on. Once you turn in, you’re done, and it’s time to get to the business of campaigning.
Now if she can only show that her donations weren’t trending on a downward path.
Protecting Your Hard-Earned Money
By Sen. John Thune
Tax Day 2022 is knocking on the door. If you asked the South Dakotans who are diligently prepping their tax returns, I doubt the IRS is viewed favorably by few, if any of them. In fact, not that people sit at home and rank their favorite federal agencies, but if they did, my guess is that the tax-enforcing agency, which often looms large over the American people, would rank near the bottom. It has unfortunately gained a reputation for its overzealous authority and poor customer service – the inability to simply answer phone calls, for example – and last tax filing season was particularly miserable for taxpayers.
In addition to bad customer service, serious concerns have been raised about the agency’s inability to properly handle confidential taxpayer information. In fact, as recently as last year, the IRS faced a massive leak or hack of private taxpayer information – information that somehow ended up in the hands of ProPublica, an outfit that promotes progressive causes, which last June went on to publish taxpayers’ private information. Now, nearly one year later, neither the Treasury Department nor the IRS have provided any meaningful follow-up about the apparent data breach, nor has anyone been held accountable for this major breach of trust.
Rather than prioritizing accountability and efficiency, Democrats instead focused on massively expanding the IRS – both in the number of agents and the agency’s reach into private citizens’ lives. They wanted to require banks, credit unions, and other financial service providers to report to the IRS when a business or customer made total deposits or withdrawals that exceeded a certain amount – $600 if the president had his way. Essentially, anyone who has a job or has saved a bit of money could have been subject to a Washington bureaucrat snooping through his or her checking account. Clearly, these partisan proposals had little to do with improving taxpayer services or increasing agency accountability. Democrats’ main interest in handing the IRS a supersized budget increase – proposing to nearly double the agency’s size – was to help pay for their partisan tax-and-spending spree.
Fortunately, the Democrats’ partisan crusade has stalled – hopefully permanently. Any resources going to the IRS must be paired with serious reform, including measures to improve customer service, ensure that existing resources are being used efficiently, and promote smarter and more effective audits. I am a cosponsor of a bill, the Tax Gap Reform and IRS Enforcement Act, which would codify additional protections for taxpayers against IRS overreach. This legislation would help ensure that the IRS is not able to target taxpayers for their political and ideological beliefs, and it would prohibit the kind of bank reporting requirements that Democrats sought to impose in their “Build Back Better” spending spree. It would also take steps to improve taxpayer services, increase IRS expertise, and better develop the information we have on the tax gap – the difference between taxes owed and taxes paid.
South Dakota taxpayers hired me to be a good steward of their hard-earned money, and I am doing everything in my power to protect every single dollar that is sent to Washington. I hope we’ll be able to move away from Democrats’ intrusive and reckless Build Back Better proposals and toward bipartisan efforts to reform the IRS and ensure that taxpayers can reliably depend on the agency.
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National Ag Week—Thank a Farmer!
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
March 25, 2022
As you may know, this week is National Ag Week. Agriculture is the number one industry in South Dakota and the lifeblood of not only our state, but our country and our world.
Farmers, ranchers, and producers work hard every day, and almost never get a day off. They toil not to simply provide for their family, but to provide food and other basic materials to sustain human life—your life. It is often a thankless task and goes unnoticed by many—in 2020, 54% of young Americans reported they’ve never seen a cow in real life.
The farmers I know want the best for their animals and work to keep them safe and healthy. They know they must be good stewards of the land and environment because they are the ones who will be working on it for years to come. The average producer views farming and ranching as a way of life, not just a paycheck. That is especially clear now, when most farmers and producers are facing increased prices for feed, seed, fertilizer, and pesticides. Their income relies on market prices, and the market is incredibly volatile.
This week, I had the privilege of meeting some of our producers when I toured the Kasemeister Creamery in Frankfort. I learned about the ingenuity that drives the process of ensuring quality dairy products. I also had the opportunity to talk to farmers across the state when I joined a town hall with producers to discuss the important role U.S. agricultural exports have in supporting the rural economy. Ag exports topped $177 billion last year, and this number only keeps increasing. American farmers are feeding the world.
Farmers deserve our support because they support us. If the volatility in the economy for the past two years has impacted you in any way—you can bet it has impacted our farmers and producers just as much, if not more. Their dedication to agriculture and unwavering steadfastness to produce our basic needs cannot be overlooked.
Next time you see one, remember to thank a farmer.
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As I’m at my desk getting ready to chase down a Notary on Sunday Morning, because I can’t notarize my own signature as circulator, I’m recycling this 2020 post because someone is going to unnecessarily screw it up because they listened to someone at the hyvee desk or post office who didn’t know better.
DON’T SEND PETITIONS CERTIFIED MAIL. REGISTERED MAIL ONLY.
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We’re coming down to the wire this week for election petitions, which means it’s time for me to be a scold to candidates in order to help save them from a grave error if they find themselves mailing in their petitions.
If you can’t drive yourself to Pierre before Tuesday at 5pm, we’re at the point where if you mail your election petitions into the Secretary of State (Secretary of State, Attn: Elections, 500 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501), there’s the possibility they might not show up by the deadline on Tuesday. No matter what any clerk at a postal desk tries to talk you into, there’s only ONE proper way to mail those petitions into the Secretary of State’s office, and I can’t admonish candidates strongly enough.
Send those petitions in via REGISTERED mail, not certified.
There’s a good reason for it. It’s the law. As I noted two (now four) years ago, under South Dakota Election law, the definitions expressly note that “Registered mail,” does not include certified mail;” and more specifically:
12-6-4. Petition required to place candidate’s name on primary ballot–Place of filing. Except as provided by § 12-5-4 and as may be otherwise provided in chapter 12-9, no candidate for any office to be filled, or nomination to be made, at the primary election, other than a presidential election, may have that person’s name printed upon the official primary election ballot of that person’s party, unless a petition has been filed on that person’s behalf not prior to January first, and not later than the last Tuesday of March at five p.m. prior to the date of the primary election. If the petition is mailed by registered mail by the last Tuesday of March at five p.m. prior to the primary election, the petition shall be considered filed.
Read the law for yourself here.
Why registered mail? Registered mail has a clear chain of custody that is recorded by the post office before being sent and at each point along its route to safeguard against loss, theft, or damage. Every year there are people who let themselves get talked into sending it certified by someone who doesn’t know South Dakota Election Law.. and they find themselves out of luck.
And keep your eyes on South Dakota War College for coverage of the legislative campaigns. The roller coaster ride is just beginning.
Gov. Noem Signs Remaining Bills into Law
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem has signed all remaining bills into law.
Governor Noem has signed 246 bills into law and vetoed four this legislative session. No further bills are awaiting executive action by the Governor.
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Gov. Noem Vetoes Three Bills
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem vetoed three bills: Senate Bill 151, House Bill 1223, and House Bill 1281.
You can find Governor Noem’s veto message for Senate Bill 151 here.
You can find Governor Noem’s veto message for House Bill 1223 here.
You can find Governor Noem’s veto message for House Bill 1281 here.
Governor Noem has signed 237 bills into law and vetoed four this legislative session.
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Out of my mailbox…
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate ReleaseMarch 24, 2022:
The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Lodge #1 represents the membership of over 230 Police Officers and Sergeants of the Sioux Falls Police Department.
The Labor Council is pleased to announce it officially endorses candidate Paul Tenhaken for the office of Mayor in Sioux Falls.
The members of our labor union are grateful for the relationship we have built with Mayor Tenhaken over the last few years. He has provided exceptional leadership and the support our officers and sergeants need to ensure public safety for those who live, work, and visit in our city. His vision of “One Sioux Falls” promotes civic unity at a time where others focus only on division. That unity is essential to maintain the quality of life our citizens deserve and move our city forward.
The men and women of this membership support Mayor Tenhaken’s candidacy, and encourage all of Sioux Falls to vote for Tenhaken.
Well, of course they do. Mayor TenHaken has been an advocate for police.
And his opponent? Well, much less so. Here’s a photo from 2020 where she was demanding justice reform…
… where Taneeza Islam was advocating for policing policies to make Sioux Falls more like Seattle and Minneapolis.
In fact, I believe she may have indicated that the Sioux Falls Police and Highway Patrol’s response to the riots at the Empire Mall in 2020 were “militarized”, unjust and improper.
Labor Unions, The Fraternal Order of Police.. anyone else abandoning Taneeza in the run up to the election?
The hotel owner involved in the racist comment controversy in Rapid City has turned to Governor Noem in trying to remove Mayor Allendar from office. But, to no avail:
Nick Uhre, co-owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel, sent a lengthy email to Gov. Kristi Noem on Wednesday asking, in part, for her help to remove Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender from office.
And..
“The Governor’s office generally does not comment to the media on correspondence received from private citizens. The Governor is opposed to all racial discrimination – there is no room for racial discrimination in South Dakota,” Fury said. “Due to ongoing litigation on this subject, she will not be commenting further at this time.”
And..
“I have no more employees in the bar. Soon, I will have no employees in my hotel due to them fearing for their safety,” Uhre wrote.
Well, what did he think was going to happen?
The Governor condemned the comments along with everyone else who doesn’t wear a hood in South Dakota.
Governor Noem’s Celebrates Week of Conservative Victories as Campaign Surpasses 50,000 Donor Mark
MARCH 25, 2022
Pierre, SD – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem wrapped a very big week for the conservative agenda and conservative values with the signing of two pro-life bills into law. Yesterday, she signed HB 1318 which prohibits medical abortion by telemedicine and increases the penalty for the unlicensed practice of medicine when performing a medical abortion. She also signed HB 1113 which prohibits threats made with the intent to coerce an abortion.
“These two bills are more fulfillment of Governor Noem’s pledge to be the most pro-life governor in the nation,” said Noem Campaign Manager Joe Desilets.
Mr. Desilets added, “These bill signings concluded what may be the most impressive legislative achievement week of any Governor this year and it shows in the support she’s receiving.”
The campaign reported that they’ve surpassed the 50,000 donor mark, with 98.2% of the donations coming from individuals and just 0.4% from political action committees.
“Governor Noem is fighting for the citizens of South Dakota on many fronts,” Mr. Desilets added. “These signings wrap up a week that saw the Governor sign bills into law to protect 2nd Amendment rights, ban big-tech interference in our elections, keep Critical Race Theory out of our schools, improve readiness capabilities for the South Dakota National Guard, and strengthen our water and infrastructure projects.”
“Governor Noem was recently listed as the number one Governor in America by the American Legislative Exchange Council. That combined with the fact that our donor base has gone over 50,000 is a testament to the Governor’s solid conservative leadership and is a blueprint for others to govern all around the country,” Mr. Desilets concluded.
Legislative Week in Review
March 24th – Governor Noem Signs Appropriations Bills Into Law, Providing South Dakota’s 133rd Consecutive Balanced Budget
March 24th – Governor Noem Signs Cyber Research Bills Into Law
March 23rd – Governor Noem Signs Pro-Life Bills Into Law
March 22nd – Governor Noem Repels Concealed Carry Fees, Signs Tax Reforms and “Open for Business” Bills Into Law
March 22nd – Governor Noem Signs Water and Infrastructure Bills Into Law
March 21st – Governor Noem Signs CRT and Education Bills Into Law
March 21st – Governor Noem Signs Military and Veterans Bills Into Law