Governor Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: An Update on South Dakota’s COVID-19 Response

An Update on South Dakota’s COVID-19 Response
By Governor Kristi Noem 

I always knew that South Dakota could be an example to the nation; I never expected that such an example would be set in the midst of a global pandemic. But the work that South Dakota did wasn’t just me. It was our team at the Department of Health, the countless medical professionals across our state, teachers, law enforcement officers, grocers, small business owners, moms, dads, grandparents, you name it.

It was each and every South Dakotan who stepped up and made our approach work.

Recently, a prominent national reporter sent me a note that said: “Governor, if you hadn’t stood against lockdowns, we’d have no proof of just how useless they really have been.” Given that many in the mainstream media have been attacking South Dakota for respecting our people’s freedom and personal responsibility, this note was incredibly encouraging. It was also a shout out to the incredible work that each and every one of you have done.

This past week, the state legislature briefly met to discuss how we can best utilize the money that the federal government sent us to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have spent countless hours on the phone and in DC asking for flexibility in how South Dakota can spend this money. But the Department of Treasury tells us that it can only be used to cover costs – very specific costs. I appreciate the legislature’s hard work. The proposal that they put together is reasonable and gives us the flexibility to help as many of our citizens as we can within the Department of Treasury’s parameters.

To date, we’ve allocated funding for state and local governments to respond to the virus.

Tourism, the number two industry in the state, has taken a tremendous hit. But Treasury says we can use this money on tourism efforts. I think many of you have seen our ads promoting South Dakota. As a result, our state parks have been packed with visitors from across the country who want to escape their lockdowns and explore our wide-open spaces.

We set aside $75 million for K-12 schools. We launched a Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief program, which will provide up to $580 million to help small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by the pandemic.

We also set aside $100 million dollars to the re-employment insurance fund, nearly $100 million dollars for state public safety and public health officials, and more than $20 million dollars for universities and technical colleges.

Together, we will get through this. Together, that’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s important that we remember, especially during difficult times, that we are stronger united, rather than divided. I believe we all have the same goal in mind – making South Dakota safer, stronger, and healthier. Let’s keep working together towards that goal.

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Governor Noem Announces Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program

Governor Noem Announces Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced the launch of the Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program, which will utilize up to $580 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to assist small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, South Dakota is rebounding from COVID-19, but some businesses and organizations took a hit from this pandemic,” said Governor Noem. “These folks are the lifeblood of our communities and economy, and it’s our turn to give back to them. I’m grateful to the legislature for stepping up and providing guidance for this program.”

There are five components of this program:

  • The Small Business COVID Interruption program will provide up to $400 million to help eligible South Dakota small businesses who experienced a reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
  • The Small Business Startup program will provide up to $10 million in direct grants to recently started eligible South Dakota businesses whose growth has been impacted as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
  • The Acute Care in Hospitals program will provide up to $15 million to eligible hospitals that are licensed by the state to provide acute inpatient care. Specifics can be found here.
  • The Small Nonprofit COVID Interruption program will provide up to $40 million to eligible South Dakota small nonprofits who have experienced negative impact as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
  • The Community Based Healthcare Providers program will provide up to $115 million for eligible community providers who have experienced a reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.

Eligible businesses and organizations will be able to apply for these various grants from October 13-23, 2020. For assistance, please contact our call center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday at 605-937-7243. You can also email covid.bizgrants@state.sd.us or covid.healthcaregrants@state.sd.us.

To learn more about the Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program, visit COVID.SD.GOV.

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Governor Noem Announces Director Lauseng to Retire

Governor Noem Announces Director Lauseng to Retire

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that Mark Lauseng, Executive Director of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA), will retire.

“Mark has served South Dakota in numerous capacities for 38 years,” said Governor Noem. “His work has helped countless South Dakotans overcome a variety of challenges in their daily lives, and we will miss him dearly.”

Lauseng was appointed Executive Director of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority in 2006 by Governor Mike Rounds. He continued the role in the administrations of Governor Dennis Daugaard and Governor Noem. He first joined the SDHDA in 1986 as the Director of Finance and Administration. He has served on the Governor’s Reentry Council,  on the Governor’s South Dakota Workforce Initiatives, and on South Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness. He is also a board member of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, serves on the executive committee of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, is a member of the Homes for South Dakota Coalition, and serves as manager and vice-chairman of the South Dakota Authority Captive Insurance Company.

“It’s been a honor to work for SDHDA for the last 35 years,” said Director Lauseng. “ I want to thank Governor Noem for her support and leadership assisting the Authority in providing the residents of South Dakota safe and affordable housing opportunities.  The great things that SDHDA has done is a direct result of the exceptional staff and board of commissioners that I have been privileged to work with.”

Lauseng grew up and graduated from High School in Watertown and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Northern State University in Aberdeen. Mark and his wife Sherry have two sons.

To learn more about the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, visit their website.

Rounds, Thune Legislation Would Create a Congressional Charter for National American Indian Veterans (NAIV)

Rounds, Thune Legislation Would Create a Congressional Charter for National American Indian Veterans (NAIV)

PIERRE —U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) recently introduced legislation to create a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV).  Headquartered in South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Reservation, the NAIV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for tribal veterans. Originally started in 2004, today the NAIV serves the needs of Native veterans in all 50 states.

“We are grateful to our Native veterans for their service to our country,” said Rounds. “The NAIV helps make certain the unique needs of our Native veterans are being met. Our legislation will help strengthen the NAIV’s ability to provide one-of-a-kind assistance to our Native veterans as we seek ways to provide them with the care they’ve earned and deserve.”

“Native American veterans have served our state and our country with honor in the U.S. military,” said Thune. “I am glad to join Senator Rounds in introducing this resolution to give further voice to the sometimes unique needs and priorities of Native American veterans.”

“This bill is very important to American Indians, said Don Loudner, a native vet, enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and National Commander of the NAIV. “It doesn’t ask for any money. It only asks that the Congress recognize the sacrifices of generations of American Indians who have answered the nation’s call and fought in every war since the Revolution.”

A congressional charter is a law passed by Congress that recognizes the mission and authority of a group or organization. The NAIV serves the needs and interests of Native veterans in collaboration with its national leadership and 14 regional offices throughout the state. According to the VA, in 2020 there are more than 140,000 Native veterans in the United States. While Congressional Charters have been granted to Italian-American, Polish-American and Catholic-American veterans groups, as of today, no Native veterans’ organization has received a Congressional Charter.

Additional cosponsors include Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

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Johnson Proposal Combines DC Suburbs with Maryland

Johnson Proposal Combines DC Suburbs with Maryland

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced legislation that would revert the majority of Washington, D.C., suburbs to the state of Maryland. The National Capitol Service Area, consisting solely of the National Mall and federal buildings would remain the District of Columbia.

“The Founders never intended statehood for our nation’s capital,” said Johnson. “Rather than create a new state out of D.C., it makes more sense to return suburban areas back to the original state that possessed them, Maryland. As the push for D.C. statehood continues, Congress should consider alternatives that not only make sense for the residents of D.C. but also for the nation as a whole.”

In 1847, thirty-one miles were returned to the state of Virginia. Currently, the District of Columbia does not have voting representation in Congress, however, the district receives three electoral votes in the presidential election. Johnson also introduced a resolution to repeal the 23rd Amendment which provides electoral votes to the District of Columbia. If residential areas of Washington were returned to the state of Maryland, residents would have full representation in Congress, in addition to representation through the Electoral College.

A bill to give statehood to Washington, D.C., passed the U.S. House on June 26, 2020. This bill has not been considered by the U.S. Senate.

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DC Statehoood by Pat Powers on Scribd

23rd Amendment by Pat Powers on Scribd