Author: @SoDakCampaigns

I’ve been doing some backend stuff to try to improve the peppiness of the website without having to take an ax to the number of posts and comments.  Right now, we’re running at nearly 100,000 comments and 7300 posts, plus, and whether you like it or not, that will tend to eat up system resources.

So far I’ve optimized the sql database, and removed all the multiple revisions and iterations of each post. And I’m working on compressing images. You really don’t need a 4mb image to go with a post.  I’ve also made a point to block most traffic from other countries, as I’ve been getting indexed by search engines from Russia and China.

I don’t want to add a cache to the site, as that can cause problems, and sometimes gives hackers a way in. My host does a good job of keeping the trash out, but you can never be too diligent.

Hopefully, all this will allow for a slightly faster load time.

John Boehner’s office just confirmed that he’s going to resign as Speaker of the House.

What does that mean for the GOP, and more specifically, what does that mean for South Dakota’s Congresswoman Kristi Noem?

(Is it here where we plug Kristi for Speaker? )

From KELOland comes notice of a lawsuit that seems to be pitting the wife of a state legislator against the state her husband works part time-for:

Laura Zylstra Kaiser of Aberdeen alleges she was harassed by a Brown County deputy in 2011. Her federal lawsuit claims she was demoted after the alleged harassment.

Zylstra Kaiser says she filed unsuccessful grievances with DCI Director Bryan Gortmaker and Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Read it here.

Zylstra Kaiser is the spouse of Dan Kaiser, a legislator from Aberdeen who is also employed in Law enforcement.

(GOP Activists should recall Kyle Holt, who served as an office manager for the South Dakota GOP in 2010, joined Steve Barnett’s Staff, and subsequently went to work for Congresswoman Kristi Noem. As you’ll note in the release below, Kyle is going back to work for his old boss at the GOP, Lucas Lentsch, except this time with a nicer office, and fewer envelopes to stuff!    Congrats to Kyle!   -PP)

Holt Named Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

PIERRE, S.D. – Secretary of Agriculture Lucas Lentsch has named Kyle Holt as the deputy secretary for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Holt has worked in various aspects of government at the state and federal levels. He most recently worked in Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s Rapid City office.

“Kyle has a working knowledge of our state’s diverse agricultural industry,” says Secretary Lentsch. “His knowledge of production agriculture, along with the state and federal government processes, makes him a tremendous asset to the department.”

Holt grew up on his family farm near Cresbard. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Dakota State University.

“Agriculture impacts everything in South Dakota, and it’s such a big part of what makes this state so great,” said Holt. “I’m excited to be part of a department that’s dedicated to helping that success continue.”

Kyle and his wife Jessica have one son.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s No. 1 industry, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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I don’t think you can make this stuff up.

Apparently State Senator Phil Jensen is the person who had obtained the Ashley Madison Database for South Dakota. And mustering up all his computer expertise, he mistakenly sent to the people in charge of South Dakotans Against Prohibition.

Wow. I repeat, you can’t make this stuff up.

Deadline Approaching For Spring Internship Applications

WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the deadline is approaching to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices for the spring 2016 semester. The spring semester will run from mid-January to mid-May. College credit is available.

Duties in the Washington, D.C., office may include tracking legislation, researching bills, attending committee hearings and briefings, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol, handling constituent phone calls, sorting mail and providing legislative support. Duties in the South Dakota offices include researching constituent inquiries and requests, participation in outreach activities, assisting staff on special projects, handling phone calls and constituent requests and sorting mail. In all offices, students will work closely with constituents and staff, polish their research and writing skills and gain an in-depth understanding of a Senate office.

Interested college students should complete the online internship application and submit a resume no later than October 15, 2015.  Resumes should be submitted to Erin Budmayr, intern coordinator at [email protected]. Information about the internship program, along with the application, can be found online at www.rounds.senate.gov/internships.

Additional questions can be directed to Erin Budmayr at (605) 224-1450.

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If you missed Lee Schoenbeck on the Argus Leader yesterday, he had the quote of the day.

When he was asked about Larry Kurtz, who has long been banned from this and other South Dakota websites for his bigotry, misogyny, and generally being offensive, Schoenbeck exclaimed “Larry Kurtz?!? That guy is nuts!” 

Yep. Hit that nail right on the head.

Rounds: Democrats Continue to Filibuster Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats again filibustered the national defense appropriations bill:

“I have been a proponent of establishing regular order to the Senate budget and appropriations process, yet Senate Democrats refuse to allow us to consider a single appropriations bill. National defense spending should have been the first of 12 appropriations bills debated and amended on the Senate floor. By continuing to filibuster these bills, Senate Democrats are preventing the American people a voice on how and where their hard-earned tax dollars are spent. We cannot find common ground on legislation unless we are allowed to actually discuss them on the floor.

“No one wants to see a government shutdown, but refusing to allow appropriations bills to be considered by the full Senate when 9 of the 12 received broad bipartisan support in committee is both reckless and irresponsible. As it becomes apparent that Democrats in the Senate are obstructing the process, I am pleased leadership is taking the next step to prevent a government shutdown by introducing a funding mechanism that includes policy changes. This moves us in a path that I can support so that we can continue making changes to spending policy.”

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This sounds like the worst fundraiser ever. Although, it’s very telling why Cory doesn’t say anything bad about the Democratic Party apparatchiks anymore.

The First Annual Democratic Buffalo Round-Up Dinner in Rapid City, SD is only FIVE days away! Get your tickets while you still can! New additions to the program include:

• a Mystery Journalist and Honorary Member of the Cowboy Caucus
• VIP Reception Special Guest Speaker, Cory Heidelberger of Dakota Free Press

​Join Founder’s Club today, by making a monthly sustaining donation of any amount, to attend this special VIP Reception with Cory Heidelberger at Joe Lowe’s Reflections of South Dakota Art Gallery! Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Buy your tickets right away to ensure you have a spot, Saturday, September 26th’s event!

The South Dakota Democratic Party invites you to the
First Annual Democratic Buffalo Round-Up Dinner on Saturday, September 26, in Rapid City, SD at the Historic Hotel Alex Johnson. 

Featured Speakers Include:

Rep. Paula Hawks (U.S. House Candidate),
Rep. Kevin Killer, & The Cowboy Caucus– Sen. Billie Sutton & Mystery Journalist

VIP Reception | 6:00 pm MT
Featured Speaker: Dakota Free Press Blogger, Cory Heidelberger
For all Founder’s Club & Builder’s Club Members & those Joining at the Event
At Joe Lowe’s “Reflections of South Dakota” Art Gallery in Downtown, Rapid City

Dinner | 7:00 pm MT
 At the Historic Hotel Alex Johnson in Downtown, Rapid City.
We hope to see you there!

Suzanne Jones Pranger,
Executive Director

Maybe they’ll switch tactics, and instead of raising money, they’re planning to pay people to come?

Interestingly, I notice the new face of the Democrats is pushing an income tax today.  At least we know what their legislative agenda will be for 2016.