Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Great crowd this Saturday Morning in Deadwood at the SDGOP campaign school, with over 30 participants.

It might be paving the way to use Voodoo & superstition to treat cancer, as opposed to science, this year the House Health Committee voted to send a bill allowing the use of the sheep deworming medication ivermectin to treat COVID to the floor.

Apparently, having thoroughly researched topic in chat groups, and receiving medical training from Facebook, House Bill 1267’s prime sponsor Rep. Phil Jensen “called the drug ivermectin a “very economical, very therapeutic” manner to treat COVID-19.”

Whereas most of the rest of us would call using sheep & horse dewormer to treat a viral infection just plain crazy. As noted in the Mitchell Daily Republic:

“It’s been mentioned that ivermectin has achieved worldwide fame and status,” said Dr. Dan Heinemann, representing the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians. “Yes, that’s because it’s an incredible drug for the treatment of intestinal parasites, and that is not a common issue in this country, it is a huge issue in developing countries.”

The South Dakota State Medical Association, the lobby of hospitals, and other health groups stood in opposition to the bill, saying ivermectin has proven to be dangerous, even deadly in patients.

And..

Before the vote, one nurse on the committee — Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, R-Sioux Falls — called out the chair’s remark that appeared to suggest ivermectin was a pedestrian drug available at any “farm store.”

“The ivermectin that is available today is a horse dosage,” Rehfeldt said.

Read that here.

Supporters called it “a medical freedom act,” which I gather means the freedom to be an idiot & poison yourself with veterinary medicine.

South Dakota’s rights, liberties, and freedoms are currently under assault by the extreme progressive left. Sign up for critical updates about my campaign below: https://t.co/mtOSCniJ5S pic.twitter.com/u4ykB40xb9

— Steve Haugaard (@SteveHaugaard) February 11, 2022

Be that as it may, for some reason I find myself worrying just as much about Haugaard banning alcohol, dancing, and rock music.

Listen, Understand, and Deliver
By Sen. John Thune

I recently held a tele-town hall with thousands of South Dakotans, and it was great hearing from folks from all across the state. I’ve always said that South Dakotans are, and continue to be, my most trusted advisors, and I value all of the advice, feedback, and suggestions that I get when they call, write, or stop to see me. My recent tele-town hall was no different.

What I heard during the call reaffirms what I’ve been hearing during my meetings and visits throughout the state over the last few months. South Dakotans are concerned about the direction our country is heading, and they are particularly worried about the ongoing supply chain and inflation crises and the high volume of illegal drugs that are coming across the porous southern border.

On inflation, the single most important step the federal government can take to reduce it is to stop dumping billions of unnecessary government dollars into our economy. Inflation is a real problem for families, businesses, and farm and ranch operations. Nearly everyone is facing higher prices that are stretching family budgets to the limit. I’m taking proactive steps to address this issue, too. My Inflation Prevention Act would help prevent reckless spending legislation like the Democrats’ so-called “Build Back Better Act” when the inflation rate is as high as it is now – the highest in 40 years, to be exact.

I received several questions about the supply chain bottlenecks that are driving up prices and hitting South Dakota’s agriculture industry particularly hard. There are holes on grocery store shelves and long delays in receiving items that have been ordered. South Dakota businesses are also struggling to maintain their profit margins and meet the demands of their customers – especially small businesses, which have fewer resources to fight supply chain problems. 

Instead of imposing new, unnecessary regulations, it would be nice to see the administration focus on meaningful measures to address the supply chain crisis, like those in the bipartisan legislation I introduced last week with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), our neighbor to the east. For some time now, I’ve heard reports of ocean carriers refusing to transport certain goods – often American agricultural products – in favor of more lucrative cargos. My bill, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, is designed to address this problem and create a more level playing field, benefitting South Dakota producers, small businesses, and consumers.

Many people are rightfully upset about the ongoing southern border crisis and the danger it poses to non-border states like South Dakota. In fact, it was the top issue people raised during a poll I conducted during my tele-town hall. In particular, people are worried about the drugs that are pouring into the country. The administration should prioritize strong border security, stop the rampant abuse of the asylum system, and crack down on the traffickers and cartels that prey on migrants. 

Also front of mind for many South Dakotans is the rising price of energy. Winters in South Dakota are no joke, and the month-to-month cost to heat homes is through the roof. Everything from higher heating costs to the highest gasoline prices in eight years, families, businesses, and farms are bearing the brunt of the Biden administration’s narrow focus on electric vehicles and its discouragement of developing America’s abundant energy resources. South Dakota is a leader in clean energy, from hydropower on the Missouri River to wind farms across the state to biofuel production, but the president’s nearsighted policies are leaving the United States more dependent on foreign oil while keeping domestic production on the bench. 

I have found that the more input and feedback I get from you, the more effective I can be on your behalf. South Dakota is hands-down the best place to live, raise a family, and make a living. It is the honor of a lifetime to represent you in Congress, and I hope that you will continue reaching out if I can ever be of any assistance to you.

My team and I are in the business of customer service, and we stand ready to assist you in dealing with the federal government, including on issues related to the VA, Social Security, Medicare, immigration, passport emergencies, and the IRS, to name a few. I have offices in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Rapid City, and Washington, D.C., and you’re always welcome to call or stop by. If you would like to email me, you can head to my website, www.thune.senate.gov, and click “contact.”

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Before the story gets too far afield, South Dakota State Treasurer Josh Haeder explains in a texted statement to SDWC regarding the day care relief controversy that as the office assessed how to respond to the House Appropriations’ and the Attorney General’s claims that the expenditure of the funds was improper, the Governor and the Senate’s belief that it was a legally valid use of funds, and his ultimate decision to release of those funds:

“The funds at one point were under review once we received the Attorney General’s memorandum. We cautiously took our time to make sure we made the right decision as there is a disagreement between members of the legislature, Governor and attorney generals office.

Ultimately, we decided the best course of action was to release the funds because the memorandum was not an official one”

– Sec. Josh Haeder

Since the memorandum was a memorandum, and not an official AG opinion, they determined the course of action was to release the previously committed funds.

Johnson Cosponsors Can’t Cancel Your Own Debt Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) signed on as an original cosponsor of U.S. Rep. Tom Cole’s (R-OK-4) Can’t Cancel Your Own Debt Act. This legislation would disqualify members of Congress from participating in federal programs enacted during their tenure to cancel student loans – whether established by executive order, agency action or an Act of Congress. It would also bar members of Congress from any service- or employment-based student loan cancellation for time served as a Member of Congress.

“Some Members calling for student loans to be cancelled have a combined loan debt of $1.8 million,” said Johnson. “That’s a conflict of interest. I signed onto the Can’t Cancel Your Own Debt Act to prevent Congress from implementing bills that let members off the hook for personal debts.”

On January 25, 2022, a group of 80 House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting that he immediately cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt. Last Congress, progressive House members introduced legislation to cancel all student loans in their entirety. According to recent financial disclosures, 17 of these signers collectively reported personal student loan debt of up to $1,865,000, and 11 of these 17 would have their student loan debt fully cancelled using this $50,000 threshold – a clear financial windfall.

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Uh oh.

The big legislative news today is that the State Treasurer Josh Haeder has put the brakes on millions of dollars worth of federal relief funds for Day Care operations which has already been spent. And it looks as if House Appropriations is helping to drive that dispute that’s arisen in whether spending authority for the Governor on Day Care Assistance was granted last year, or if it’s something pending in this years’ session:

“I already have the authority,” Noem said. “They gave me the authority last year in last year’s budget to do this program.”

While that stance is supported by the state Senate, a contingent of House Republicans, including members of the chamber’s Appropriations Committee, contend that because the dollars came in after last year’s budget was set, and they’re “extraordinary in nature,” a special appropriation is necessary before Noem’s administration can legally disburse those dollars.

Read the entire story here.

*Update* – it appears that the funds were released after this story originally came out.. and it’s even more worth reading, as the Governor and Attorney General are at loggerheads on this.  Check it out.

Gov. Noem Cuts Taxes, Signs Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed ten bills into law, including Senate Bill 37, her legislation to repeal the bingo tax.

“We are eliminating a ridiculous tax – the bingo tax,” said Governor Noem. “This tax primarily impacted veterans and elderly South Dakotans, and I am glad that we are getting rid of it.”

The other bills include:

• SB 5 revises acceptable conduct related to the medical use of cannabis.
• HB 1010 revises certain references to the Internal Revenue Code.
• HB 1011 revises the application process for the reduction of tax on dwellings owned by paraplegics.
• HB 1025 updates legal holidays in South Dakota.
• HB 1035 allows the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to collect receipts from timber sales on federal lands and disburse those receipts according to federal law.
• HB 1043 revises renewal and licensing requirements for plumbers.
• HB 1065 repeals references to nonresident holders of concealed pistol permits.
• HB 1104 revises provisions to the location of courtroom facilities.
• HB 1105 allows for a good cause exception to the time for an involuntary commitment hearing.

Governor Noem has signed 31 bills into law and vetoed one this legislative session.

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From my mailbox:

Today I saw a facebook post from Steve Haugaard clucking about the educational funding formula as part of his claims of “what he will do” as Governor.

And it was a reminder to me that both of the challengers who are looking for the job as Governor are talking a lot of smack about education.. but if you look at the track record of the bills they’ve been the prime sponsor of, that unwavering commitment to education only seems to bubble up at election time to quickly blow away in the wind.

First off, Democrat Candidate for Governor Jamie Smith.  In his announcement for Governor a couple weeks back, Smith noted:

Smith, who is also a Sioux Falls real estate agent, acknowledged that he faced an “uphill climb” as he enters a race in which Noem has already raised $11.8 million and carved out a nationwide profile among Republicans. He told The Associated Press he plans to make a broad appeal to “Democrats, independents and Republicans” and that he will portray Noem as setting her political ambitions above state interests.

and..

Smith, who also has worked as a teacher and wrestling coach, plans to focus on bolstering education resources. He said also he will pitch improvements to mental health resources and plans to reduce incarceration rates. He pointed to his record of “building bridges” in the Legislature to “solve real problems.”

Read that here.

And it’s not just now that Smith has made promises about education. This former teacher and wrestling coach has given lip service education over his legislative career. Here he is in the May 27, 2018 Argus Leader expressing his commitment to education:

And he said it again in October (10.28.18, Argus Leader)

How many bills did he introduce in 2019/2020 on education?    In 2019, Smith was the prime sponsor of NO bills in the House, although he did prime a couple of resolutions and to represent 2 Senate bills in the house. In 2020, Smith had three bills he brought. And they had nothing to do with education, despite it being claimed as his top reason for running.

In 2021, he brought two bills, one a vague hoghouse measure, and another one regarding call centers. Funny. Neither one had anything to do with education. And in 2022, while he brought a bill that used the word “school” this year, it has nothing to do with funding, and only tries to tie the hands of police investigating crimes.

And it doesn’t get any better as you go farther back.

So when Jamie Smith, a former teacher and coach says that education is a top priority.. well, if you look at his actual legislative record of bills he brought to the table? That claim falls pretty short.

Now, we move on to GOP Challenger Steve Haugaard’s smack talk on education:

So, State Representative (and Gubernatorial Candidate NOT endorsed by Donald Trump) Steve Haugaard makes the statement yesterday bemoaning that “teachers and schools in South Dakota cannot properly meet the needs of their students” and laments that the Education Funding Formula “has never adequately met the needs of schools across the state.”

So, when exactly has Steve been the prime sponsor of legislation that addresses his concerns over the education funding formula?  He’s been in in the legislature a lot of years. Because I seem to be having a lot of trouble locating it in the record.

Did he bring legislation in 2015 to right this wrong? Nope.

In 2016?  Not seeing it.

In 2017?  There must be an error in the system, because I’m not finding it.

In 2018?  ZERO education funding bills.

In 2019? There was a Haugaard hoghouse bill “to revise and enhance provisions regarding state education,” which had entirely no content. Which seems to be  pretty accurate at this point.

In 2020? Still no bills on the ed formula. Nunca. Nil.

In 2021?  No bills on education funding. But he did have a bill to require divorcing parents to take a parenting class. Because Steve thinks we need government to teach us how to parent. Thankfully that bill went down in flames, because no one needs another mandate from government.

How about this year?  Despite his lamentation yesterday, Steve Haugaard has no legislation currently introduced to address what he sees as problems with the education funding formula.

Which as you’re seeing, appears to be a common theme among the people who want the big chair.

Lots of lightning and thunder when they talk to the media or place ads.

But they just have never taken any initiative to make it rain.