Senator John Thune is in the news today with sharp criticism for the Biden administration over their blind obedience to teachers’ unions when it comes to children to wearing face masks in school:
“Even the World Health Organization says for kids under five this masking does not make a difference in their safety or in their overall interests,” the South Dakota Republican and sponsor of the Preventing Mandates on Toddler Act told Newsmax’s “Rob Schmitt Tonight” Wednesday.
and..
“I think what’s happening is they’re looking at poll numbers,” Thune said of moves to ease the mandates in several states. “I mean, they are realizing they are losing ground with moderate voters in this country with moms who are just tired of having to let their you know, require their little kids to mask up even when they go to places like Head Start.”
The requirements aren’t a recommendation, but “a mandate for these kids in these Head Start schools, there are 1600 of these schools around the country.” said Thune.
“Experienced Leadership for Northwest South Dakota”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2022
LEMMON, SD–Neal Pinnow of Lemmon, announces today that he will seek the Republican nomination for the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 28B. District 28B encompasses all of Butte and Harding Counties and the northern one-third of Perkins County.
Neal was raised on a farm and ranch near Baker, Montana, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dickinson State University and moved to the Lemmon area in 1994. Since that time, Neal has raised a family, taught high school business courses, owns a small business and is very involved in community affairs including 20 years on the city council and as Mayor of the City of Lemmon. Prior to his service in city government, Neal served on the economic development and chamber of commerce boards. During Mayor Pinnow’s tenure, Lemmon has become a leader in rural economic development and has witnessed business expansion in a time where many small towns struggle. His service to the community includes membership on the Lemmon Fire Department where he serves as the Training Officer and 2nd Assistant Chief.
Neal Pinnow is a small business owner and is the manager and owner of Hausauer Seamless Products, LLC. This business serves the vast trade area around Lemmon and like all businesses in District 28B, is deeply dependent on production agriculture. As a small business owner, Neal is very aware that excess government regulation and taxes can have detrimental consequences to all business owners, wage earners, farmers and ranchers. Neal’s business currently employs 11 individuals.
“I enjoy serving the public and have the right experience to effectively represent Northwest South Dakota in Pierre. Whenever the City of Lemmon faced a problem in the past decade, we took that problem head on. When a major farm-to-market street in town needed repair, I lead the project and cut red tape that involved two states, two counties and the city. By working together, we got the job done and I will take that same experience and ambition to Pierre to fight for agriculture, small businesses and conservative values,” states Pinnow.
Neal lives in Lemmon with his wife Lisa, has three grown children and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem vetoed Senate Bill 76. The Governor’s veto message to the legislature reads as follows:
Dear Mr. President and Members of the Senate,
I respectfully return to you Senate Bill 76 with my VETO. Senate Bill 76 is an Act to revise certain provisions regarding the minimum amount of a lottery prize that is subject to setoff.
When the Lottery was created, a debt setoff system was established where debts could be deducted by the amount won by a winning lottery ticket. Some of those debts are past due child support payments. While this bill may appear harmless, increasing the setoff amount will have consequences on families and helps people avoid their obligations.
In the last two years, 44 prizes from winning lottery tickets were under $599 and helped pay past due child support obligations. This resulted in South Dakota families receiving resources that were due to them. Under this legislation, those families may not have received that support to buy essentials.
While I support the current law for efficiency purposes, increasing that amount automatically paid to $599 goes too far. South Dakota must stand as an example for the rest of the country that we put the well-being of our children before convenience. Our focus must be on leading for South Dakota’s next generation.
For these reasons, I oppose Senate Bill 76 and ask that you sustain my veto.
Gov. Noem to LA County Cops: “Come to South Dakota”
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem invited Los Angeles County law enforcement officers who are facing potential firing over their personal health choices to move to South Dakota. 4,000 Los Angeles County officers are facing potential firing over their vaccination status.
“South Dakota honors our law enforcement officers, and we respect personal freedom. In particular, we appreciate the tireless work that law enforcement does to defend our freedoms,” said Governor Noem. “In South Dakota, you will not be fired for making personal health decisions. We are working on legislation to protect your right to medical, religious, and natural immunity exemptions to COVID-19 vaccinations. We would love to have you come join us.”
In October 2020, Governor Noem launched a campaign to recruit law enforcement officers to move to South Dakota. The campaign led to hundreds of law enforcement officers being hired in South Dakota.
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem responded to a false CNN report claiming that hospitalizations are “surging” in Pennington County. The report, which aired on February 8, 2022, also shamed attendees of the Black Hills Stock Show and violated HIPPA by improperly including footage of patients.
“South Dakotans deserve the facts so that they can make the best decisions for themselves and their loved-ones. Unfortunately, CNN’s claims about COVID-19 in Pennington County were not factual,” said Governor Noem. “This political hit job ignored the mountains of factual data that we sent to them. We are demanding a correction.”
“South Dakota will continue to focus on working together to take care of people who get sick with COVID-19,” Noem continued. “We will not allow divisive out-of-state media outlets to get in the way of the partnerships between the State of South Dakota and our excellent hospital systems.”
Because of HIPAA violations in CNN’s coverage, Monument Health has also requested that the false story be retracted:
“A six-hour visit by CNN was summarized inaccurately in the story referenced. The quotes pulled were taken out of context to support a narrative that simply is not true,” said Robin Zebroski, Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications at Monument Health. “Monument Health has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations in recent weeks, and the overall testing positivity rate has gone down as well. We strongly support Governor Noem and are disappointed by the CNN report.”
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Pennington County peaked three weeks ago, on January 18, 2022. Since then, they have declined by 32%.
“CNN did not reach out to the South Dakota Department of Health for this story. The Department of Health and the Governor’s Office provided data to be included in their story, but CNN ignored it,” said Joan Adam, Interim Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Health. “Governor Noem and the Department of Health will continue to work with our hospital systems to take care of people and ensure that up-to-date data is available to all South Dakotans. To find resources and facts, visit COVID.SD.gov.”
Thune: Biden Prioritizes Pet Projects Instead of Addressing Rampant Supply Chain Crisis
“The administration’s hostility to traditional energy production has helped drive energy prices up, which is aggravating our supply chain and inflation crises.”
Click hereor on the picture above to watch the video.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called out the Biden administration for focusing on pet projects instead of addressing the country’s rampant supply chain crisis. Thune noted that some ocean carriers are refusing to transport certain goods, such as South Dakota agricultural products, and he discussed his recent legislation that would address the problem and create a more level playing field for producers.
State Representative and Gubernatorial wannabe Steve Haugaard has new legislative measure that he wants South Dakotans to vote on. And anyone who has seen the Star Wars prequel trilogy knows that it’s just opening up a can of worms.
2022 South Dakota Legislature House Joint Resolution 5003
Introduced by: Representatives Haugaard (prime), Jensen (Phil), and Randolph and Senator Frye-Mueller
A JOINT RESOLUTION, proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election a new section to Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the definition of a human being.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein:
Section 1. That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendment to Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in section 2 of this Joint Resolution, which is hereby agreed to, shall be submitted to the electors of the state for approval.
Section 2. That Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be amended with a NEW SECTION to read:
§ 30. Human being–Definition. The term, human being, means each member of the species homo sapiens, at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization or cloning, or other moment at which a member of the species comes into being.
Haugaard’s measure proposes to recognize all members of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life including the moment of fertilization or cloning. Did Haugaard never see Star Wars Episode 2, Attack of the Clones?
The whole thing is about a secret clone army commissioned by the Jedi being grown in tanks. When the Jedi forces were overwhelmed by the droid army, Yoda shows up with the clone army to save the day… Only to have the pre-programmed clones ordered by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to kill the Jedi in the next movie, Star Wars Episode 3.
And from there it led to the downfall of the Republic, and into 2 decades of rule by the Empire.
Does that all sound kind of dumb? It should. Because Episode 2 easily had the worst writing of all the Star Wars movies, and Episode 3 was only marginally better.
But it’s still not as dumb as asking for cloning to be put in the South Dakota State Constitution.
President Donald J. Trump Endorses Governor Kristi Noem For Re-Election
FEBRUARY 8, 2022 – Pierre, SD – This afternoon, President Donald J. Trump announced his endorsement of Governor Kristi Noem for re-election in 2022.
Statement released by President Donald J. Trump in making this endorsement:
“Kristi Noem has done a great job as Governor of South Dakota. She is strong on Borders, the Second Amendment, preserving land and Energy Dominance, Medical Freedom, and kept South Dakota open during COVID. She fully supports our great Law Enforcement, Military, our wonderful Vets—and is a fighter for the incredible people of South Dakota. Kristi has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Accepting the endorsement, Governor Noem stated the following:
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have President Trump’s endorsement. While in Congress, I worked alongside President Trump to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that lowered taxes on South Dakotans and led to the greatest economy in American history. Since being elected Governor, I have worked to bring President Trump’s America First agenda to the state level in South Dakota by cutting burdensome regulations, keeping government out of the way of South Dakota small business owners and job creators, and supporting South Dakota law enforcement. I look forward to continuing to fight for our shared agenda if elected to serve a second term as Governor of the great state of South Dakota.”
Petitions are coming in at a pretty good clip since yesterday, but no surprises, as all had previously filed committees or announced in the run up to turning them in.