Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Headline this morning:

As Kristi Noem touts South Dakota values across the US, out-of-staters run her political team

Noem’s spokesman, Ian Fury , arrived in Pierre in 2020 after working for Ohio congressman Jim Jordan in Washington, D.C. Communications director Jordan Overturf arrived from Texas in 2021. Campaign director Joe Desilets has run campaigns in Virginia. And Noem’s interim chief of staff, Mark Miller , is a New Jersey native who worked at a California libertarian think-tank before landing in the Rushmore State.

And..

“These people wanted to come here and be a part of South Dakota,” said Noem. “I’m thrilled. I have more people who work for me who grew up here. But I don’t think in South Dakota we’ve ever prioritized people over another based on where they were born.”

Read that here.

But also make sure you read the bio of the writer at the Capitol doing yet another hit piece on Governor Noem:

A native of Wells and Kiester, Minn., Vondracek went west for college in 2003, attending the University of South Dakota on a scholarship named for Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today. After picking up a B.A. in Journalism in Vermillion and writing for the student newspaper, The Volante, Vondracek stayed for his M.A. in English literature. He taught college English in Rochester and Winona, Minn., between 2009 and 2015, and eventually received his MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Hamline University in St. Paul.

So.. it’s bad for Republicans from other states who want to come to South Dakota to live and work.. but ok for Reporters who write hit pieces?

And I say that being born in New Jersey and brought to SD as a 6 year old by my native New Yorker father and my Iowa mother.

I think Minnesotan Christopher Vondracek might want to quit pretending to be a South Dakota nativist, and recognize the state for being the Great American Melting pot that it is.

Otherwise, it’s not really South Dakota nice.

Thune Reacts to President Biden’s State of the Union Address

“The fragile conditions of our economy and world affairs demand that Democrats abandon their far-left crusade.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after President Biden delivered his State of the Union address:

“Over the past year, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have pursued a reckless, partisan agenda while crisis after crisis has mounted at home and abroad.

“The smallest congressional majorities in generations have imposed some of the largest costs and regulations on families and workers. Democrats’ rampant spending has fueled historic inflation, which is hitting families’ pocketbooks in South Dakota and across the country. A president who promised to unite the nation has endorsed unprecedented attempts to undermine institutions of our government and ignored the humanitarian and national security crisis at the southern border. And of course, the entire world was shocked by the administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“If the past year has proven anything, it’s that Democrats cannot confront the challenges facing America in a real or meaningful way. The fragile conditions of our economy and world affairs demand that Democrats abandon their far-left crusade.

“Russia is waging war in Europe, and the stakes could not be higher. An anxious world is looking to the United States for strong leadership. Our adversaries are rooting for bitter partisanship.

“Republicans stand ready to work together to unleash American energy production, restore our energy independence, and bolster our military capabilities in order to provide for the safety and security of our nation. We can support our allies and hold the criminal thug Vladimir Putin accountable for his unprovoked war. We can do big things, but the president and his allies in Congress must abandon the partisan streak that has come to define their first year in power.

“In these perilous times, I pray that God watches over the United States and our fellow citizens, especially the men and women who defend our country in uniform. We are blessed to live in the greatest nation ever created, with freedoms made possible by the countless patriots who have fought and died to protect them.”

Reps. Johnson & Garamendi’s Statement on President’s Call to Pass Their Ocean Shipping Reform Act

WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA) issued the following statement after President Biden referenced their bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act (H.R4996) in his State of the Union Address:

“We are pleased that our bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act to resolve the ongoing supply chain crisis was referenced by President Biden during his State of the Union Address. Our legislation provides the first major reform of national shipping standards in over 20 years to address the issues plaguing our supply chains, protect American jobs, and correct our nation’s trade imbalances with China and other nations.

“Inflation is forcing everyone to pay more for essential goods as middle-class families across the nation work to make ends meet. That’s why our bipartisan bill puts an end to unjust fines and unfair trade practices that are contributing to rising costs.

“The Ocean Shipping Reform Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives twice with over 364 votes—a majority of Democrats and Republicans. We call on the United States Senate to pass our legislation so the President can sign it into law,” said Representatives Garamendi (D-CA) and Johnson (R-S.D.).

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This was a nice honor for a family that many South Dakota Republicans know well:

Jeff Kippley, his wife Rachel, and his dad John are cow/calf and crop farmers near Aberdeen, S.D. Jeff and Rachel have been a part of the Farmers Union for 20 years.

On Feb. 28, the South Dakota Farmers Union announced that Kippley was elected to be Vice President at the National Farmers Union Convention held in Denver, Colorado.“I am honored family farmers and ranchers put their trust in me to help lead this organization in its mission,” said Kippley.

Read it all here

Jeff’s wife Rachel was a Brown County commissioner for a number of years, and now serves the county as the manager of the Brown County fair.

Mike Lauritsen, the former deputy at the Office of School & Public Lands used to help to manage our states public lands. Now he is helping to fuel expansion in the city of Chamberlain with that towns lottery for 11 free building lots for prospective residents:

An eligible entrant can win a lot but they must build a house on it within a year, according to rules set by the Lake Francis Case Economic Development Corporation.

“In Chamberlain, the same thing that’s happening all over the state and nation, there is a housing shortage and a labor need,” city administrator Mike Lauritsen said.

Read the entire story here.

DANG! Is that District 12 House Race shaping up to be a donnybrook, or what? And incumbent State Representative Greg Jamison has yet to drop his name into the fishbowl for this Sioux Falls Legislative version of the Hunger Games.

I’m not sure the primary will get any bigger but I anticipate there will be one heck of a battle for the 2 seats.

Early on, I would give the advantage to Jamison, for pure name ID and being well known in the community. And Amber Arlint is said to be attracting a lot of attention in her race, and has an ability to raise some serious coin.  But, there’s a lot of air between now and June 7, so a lot can happen as the races shape up.

Stay tuned.

Thune: The Free World Stands With Ukraine
“The U.S. and other free nations must match the resolve of the Ukrainian people and respond with swift and severe consequences for Putin and his cronies.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the global consequences of Vladimir Putin’s unjustified war against Ukraine. Thune noted that while this is Ukraine’s fight, the United States and allies must provide weapons and humanitarian assistance as well as impose swift and severe sanctions against Russia.

Thune, Young, Blackburn, Moran Introduce Legislation to Modernize Consumers’ Ability to Receive and Access Personal Electronic Documents

Senators’ legislation would streamline how consumers consent to receiving electronic documents such as bank statements, account information, and contracts

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over technology and consumer protection, today introduced the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (E-SIGN) Modernization Act. This legislation would streamline how consumers consent to receiving electronic documents such as bank statements, account information, and contracts.

“Computers, smart phones, and other devices are more reliable and accessible than ever before,” said Thune. “As technology continues to advance and transform, so too should the laws that govern it. This legislation makes necessary updates to E-SIGN that reflect those advancements in technology, while, at the same time, retaining important protections for consumers that are currently in place.”

“It’s time we bring our banking systems to the 21st century by allowing more people to access their bank information from a computer or other electronic device,” said Young. “Our E-SIGN Modernization Act will help Hoosiers easily access their finances electronically as they look for critical documents and bank statements.”

“In the 21st century, electronic records, signatures, and contracts make business possible,” said Blackburn. “The work to update digital commerce guidelines is nearly two decades overdue, but this overhaul will provide Tennessee businesses even more opportunities to thrive.”

“Given the major advancements in technology and consumer accessibility that have occurred in the past two decades since the E-SIGN Act was first enacted, it’s time to modernize this law,” said Moran. “This legislation is a timely update to expand consumer access to online and mobile financial services in line with modern practices.”

“Now more than ever, consumers want choices that allow them to manage their financial lives using digital banking channels,” said Rob Nichols, CEO and president of the American Bankers Association. “Senators Thune, Young, Blackburn, and Moran’s introduction of the E-SIGN Modernization Act is an important step toward ensuring Americans have access to more financial options.”

“ICBA and the nation’s community banks strongly support the E-SIGN Modernization Act and thank Sens. Thune, Young, Blackburn, and Moran for introducing this common-sense legislation,” said Rebeca Romero, CEO and president of the Independent Community Bankers of America. “The current policy requiring consumers to ‘reasonably demonstrate’ that they can access information electronically before receiving digital documents is outdated and needlessly impedes important transactions, including home purchases. Under the bill, no further steps are necessary after consumers consent to receiving records and disclosures electronically, which will facilitate transactions to benefit consumers and the economy.”

“Thank you to Senators Thune, Young, Blackburn, and Moran for introducing the E-Sign Modernization Act,” said Jim Nussle, CEO and president of the Credit Union National Association. “This commonsense measure will enhance consumer access to online services and allow credit unions and other financial service providers to expand the means through which they can support consumers’ financial well-being.”

E-SIGN became law in 2000, and it validates the use of electronic signatures and electronic documents in transactions involved in interstate or foreign commerce. E-SIGN currently requires consumers to reasonably demonstrate that they can access documents electronically before they can receive them electronically, which is an outdated requirement that is no longer necessary given advancements in technology since E-SIGN became law. The E-SIGN Modernization Act would remove this requirement, so once a consumer is provided with disclosure information and consents to receiving documents electronically, he or she can obtain them through those means.

Revisiting the mystery disappearance of Senate Bill 175, I was having a e-mail exchange with a legislator last night, trying to figure out where this bill went, and was given this interesting tidbit:

The House ne’er-do-wells are apparently holding the Gun Range Bill (SB 175) hostage, as a tool to hold in ransom during the final midnight hours when we’re setting the budget.  That’s what most of us are thinking.  The bill has not yet been placed on the House Approps calendar although it was read in the House way back on the 23rd.

Interesting.

But even more interesting is that *if by magic,* the Shooting Sports Complex SB 175 has been added to the schedule, and will be heard tomorrow between 3-5 PM in room 362.

Make sure you show up, and don’t be afraid to make your voice heard to House Appropriations Members:

Yesterday was not Taffy Howard’s day.  In the Senate State Affairs committee, her signature piece of legislation for 2022 wasn’t just defeated. It was savaged.

House Bill 1329, which would have required “a forensic audit of election results after each presidential general election” came out of Howard’s attendance at the looney “pillow guy” election paranoia forum this last year in Sioux Falls.

(If you recall the interview Howard and Julie Frye-Mueller did with alt-right website “Tru-News” back in September, where they called themselves the dynamic duo.)

You can watch the video for yourself by clicking here.

Howard claimed in committee that there were “anomalies” in South Dakota, but even with their ‘dynamic’ sponsorship on HB 1329, the measure unanimously went down in flames, with Senator Lee Schoenbeck pointing out that these wild eyed claims are what is causing the uncertainty, not because of any actual problems with the seniors who are behind the counter helping in our counties on election day.

This bill going down in flames is further noteworthy because it marks the third of the three bills sponsored by Taffy Howard this year which were all defeated.

Howard’s first bill, House Bill 1262, to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s vaccination status or possession of an immunity passport and to declare an emergency, was withdrawn by Howard on February 16th,

Her second bill, House Bill 1330, to limit the increase of assessed value of property for the purpose of taxation, and to limit the property tax due on property failed in committee on February 15th.

House Bill 1329 narrowly made it through the House of Representatives on a vote of 36-31, but as noted, failed unanimously in Senate State Affairs.

The failure of this measure means that Howard was skunked, and failed on all of her bills for 2022, passing ZERO bills. Unfortunately, this is more than just a trend for Howard. Because she failed on all of her legislation last year (2021) as well. Again, Zero.

In 2020.. same thing. Three Bills. Two withdrawn. One defeated. Zero.

2019.. of 5 bills, 1 passed.

2018.. of 2 Bills, 1 passed.

2017.. of 2 bills, 1 passed.

Literally, across the 6 years of her legislative career, Howard has gone from a 50% average grade, to a 20% grade, to zeros three years running. And more than a few of these measures have simply been withdrawn.

I have to say, if you can’t pass any legislation, you probably shouldn’t ask voters for a promotion to higher office, especially when you’re spending an inordinate amount of time listening to conspiracy theorists on facebook over those on main street.