Author: @SoDakCampaigns

NFIB Urges South Dakota Lawmakers to Think Small Business in 2020

The South Dakota legislature will start their regular session on January 14^th. As lawmakers return to Pierre, NFIB State Director Lindsey Riter-Rapp is reminding our elected officials to once again keep small business in mind this year. Small business owners create jobs and keep South Dakota’s economy running. “Here in South Dakota, as it is nationwide, small business optimism is at an all-time high. Small business owners in our state are keeping the economy strong and creating jobs,” says NFIB State Director Lindsey Riter-Rapp. “I look forward to working with lawmakers to enact positive measures to keep small business thriving in South Dakota.”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose more than 2 points in November to 104.7, which is the largest month to month gain since May 2018. The number of small business owners reporting that now is a good time for them to expand increased, as well as the number of small business owners expecting better business conditions. However, the NFIB Uncertainty Index took a dive in November to 72, which is the lowest reading since May 2018. “Owners are more closely focused on issues that directly impact their business, including the significant tax relief they were given two years ago, and they’re anxious to see that relief made permanent,” says Riter-Rapp.

While South Dakota’s Congressional delegation works on that issue in Washington D.C., there are also issues at the state level small business is keeping an eye on. The past few years,  there have been efforts in the legislature to impose mandates on small business owners under a one-size fits all plan. NFIB is reminding lawmakers that small business owners are already burdened with the high cost of health care and warn that the cost of implementing more burdens on small business would result in job losses across South Dakota. An NFIB analysis on recent mandatory sick leave legislation found that across the country, 570,000 jobs would be lost, with nearly half of them coming from small businesses.

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So, I spent yesterday in Pierre hanging out and working with a project I’m going to assisting with. And there were a number of state legislative candidates who turned in petitions as they rolled into town. Here’s the official list:

State Senator	Jack Kolbeck	REP	1/13/20	District 13
State Senator	Joshua Klumb	REP	1/13/20	District 20
State Representative	Hugh M. Bartels	REP	1/13/20	District 05
State Representative	Ernie Otten Jr	REP	1/13/20	District 06
State Representative	Randy Gross	REP	1/13/20	District 08
State Representative	Rebecca L Reimer	REP	1/13/20	District 26B
State Representative	Dayle D. Hammock	REP	1/13/20	District 31
State Representative	Mary Fitzgerald	REP	1/13/20	District 31

I was also catching that some races are getting more interesting.  I heard that current District 24 State Senator Jeff Monroe, who is precluded from seeking another term as a result of term limits, intends to run in the District 24 House race, expanding that primary to 4, possibly 5 people.

I heard that several races in Sioux Falls were possibly fluid.. and there will be more to come on that.

Had the opportunity to meet new District 19 State Representative Marty Overweg. Very nice guy, and in speaking with him, he’s getting up to speed, and is looking forward to the legislative session.

On non-legislative business, I spoke with an elected official who told a fairly concerning experience which underlined the need for an increased security protocol for the State Capitol.  Having gone through the new security screen on my way in, it’s less than a minor inconvenience, and less than what you have to go through to attend a major league ball game.

Keep on reading.. more legislative coverage to come.

State of the State Preview – Governor Kristi Noem: “South Dakota is OPEN for Business”

PIERRE, S.D. – On Tuesday, Governor Kristi Noem will deliver the annual State of the State Address. Among other topics, Noem will outline why South Dakota is the best state in the country to own and operate a business.

Excerpts from remarks, as prepared for delivery:

“…I grew up with a Dad who dreamed of all four of his kids being able to stay on the family ranch if they wanted to. My vision for South Dakota is the same. We must ensure that every South Dakotan can build their life here and make a good living, so they can provide for their families and maintain our traditions and way of life. This is why I am committed to four pillars of protection for South Dakotans: keeping taxes low, limiting government spending, fighting government intrusion, and keeping government open and honest. 

“With a year under our belt, I’m proud to stand before you and say we accomplished a lot in 2019, and we did it all without raising taxes and without spending more than we took in.

“And to all the business prospects we’ve been recruiting, I’d like to make the case here and now about why you should join us in South Dakota:

1. Our people – their work ethic and values are second to none. 
2. There’s no corporate income tax.
3. There’s no personal income tax.
4. There’s no personal property tax.
5. The taxes that we do have to fund state government are stable and predictable.
6. Government in South Dakota lives within its means. We balance our budget without accounting gimmicks and tricks.
7. We have a AAA credit rating and our state pension plan is fully funded. 
8. We believe in smart regulation. We roll out the red carpet, not the red tape.
9. Our part-time legislature is a true citizen legislature.
10. Our outdoor opportunities are second to none. 

“I have traveled all across this country and around the world, there is no better place to operate a business and raise a family than in South Dakota.

“For employers and employees alike… South Dakota is THE PLACE to do business. Whether you’ve owned and operated a business for four generations, or you’re looking to start or even relocate your current operation, I want my message to be crystal clear: South Dakota is OPEN for business.”

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From KOTA TV, Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom and State Senator Helene Duhamel are speaking out agains the Pot legalization measures that are going to be on the November ballot:

Thom estimates that 95% of the people in the system have a drug or alcohol problem and he and Duhamel think legalizing more drugs would only increase their problems.

“We have a huge drug problem in Pennington County and I look at marijuana as a gateway drug for many people,” said Duhamel. “We are fighting methamphetamine on all fronts and I just can’t imagine throwing more into the mix.”

Read the entire story here.

Thune: USMCA One Step Closer to Final Approval by Senate

“Yesterday’s Finance Committee vote was a long time coming for South Dakota farmers and ranchers.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade policy, today discussed the committee’s recent bipartisan passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which moves the bill one step closer to final approval by the full Senate.

Rounds: TRUST Act ‘Important Step Toward Addressing Debt Crisis’
Legislation Receives Endorsement from Deficit-Reduction Leaders Simpson and Bowles

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D) announced today that he is cosponsor of the Time to Rescue United States’ Trusts (TRUST) Act, which would create congressional committees specifically tasked to develop legislation to restore and strengthen endangered federal trust funds. Without legislative action, the government’s trust funds – Highway, Medicare Hospital Insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance – will be exhausted in the next thirteen years.

The TRUST Act was endorsed this week by former Senator Alan Simpson and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, leaders in debt-reduction efforts and former co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, a bipartisan Presidential Commission on deficit reduction.

“I’ve said countless times that we must take bold action to get our debt under control,” said Rounds. “Our legislation takes an important step toward putting our federal trust programs on a sustainable path and addresses our debt crisis, allowing Congress to actively manage federal trust funds. Congress must check the growth of mandatory payments, which make up around 70 percent of all federal spending and include important trust funds, if we are ever to begin reducing our debt. The debt crisis is preventable and these trust funds are savable – but we must begin to act now.”

How the TRUST Act works:

• Treasury would have 45 days upon passage of the legislation to deliver to Congress a report of the government’s major, endangered federal trust funds.
• Congressional leaders would appoint members to serve on “Rescue Committees”—one per trust fund—with the mandate to draft legislation that restores solvency and otherwise improves each trust fund program.
• Rescue Committees would make sure there is bipartisan consensus by requiring at least two members of each party to report legislation.
• If a Rescue Committee reports a qualifying bill, it would receive expedited consideration in both chambers. While 60 votes would be required to invoke cloture for final passage in the Senate, only a simple majority would be needed for the motion to proceed, which would be privileged.

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Release: Jack Kolbeck Announces His Re-Election for the Senate Seat in District 13 (Sioux Falls)

Jack Kolbeck is announcing his re-election for the District 13 Senate Seat.  Jack has been a businessman and involved with Sioux Falls for over 44 years. South Dakota has much to be proud of and we look forward to Jack for continual support for Sioux Falls and the State of South Dakota.

Jack Kolbeck is an active member in the Sioux Falls community. He is a 35 plus year member of the Sioux Falls Downtown Lions Club, A Board Member for The Legends for Kids, a member of the South Dakota Softball Hall of Fame, is active with Senior softball in Sioux Falls and South Dakota.  He has worked for family-owned, independent, and small businesses his entire life.

Jack Kolbeck has a unique vision for South Dakota. He believes in a balanced budget for South Dakota. He is concerned that taxes in both Sioux Falls and South Dakota are growing too fast. He believes in the right to work. Besides wanting a balanced budget, Jack thinks government is too big and will vote for less government from Pierre. He is an avid hunter and is Pro-2nd Amendment.  In Pierre, Jack will fight for quality education for the children of Sioux Falls and South Dakota. Jack is Pro-life. He believes in quality Medical attention and long-term care for the elderly and our veterans.

Jack has been in in the Senate for 3 years and is looking forward to 2020 with his position on the Joint Appropriations Committee as well as the GOAC Committee.

Jack Kolbeck was born in McCook County South Dakota and raised on a family farm. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University where he earned his degree in economics and Political Science.  Jack and his wife Muriel have been married for 41 years. They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren

After Alex Jensen, running for the At-Large City Council race, set a new record for fundraising in Sioux Falls City Council elections, his expected opponent – current City Councilperson Theresa Stehly – had no report of fundraising to file… and seems to be trying to figure out if she has a path forward, according to a report in the Argus Leader tonight:

“Right now, he’s the only declared candidate,” she (Councilor Christine Erickson) said. “I’m supporting Alex Jensen for many reasons, moving this city forward and the vision he has for the city of Sioux Falls.”

Stehly told the Argus Leader Monday that while she’s surprised to see the amount of financial energy around Jensen’s campaign, she’s not letting it distract her from her duties as a city councilor.

“I was surprised by the energy, especially considering the fact that I’ve been a loyal Republican, but who also loves Democrats and independents,” she said. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

Read that here.

While Theresa might not be “distracted,” she might also be deluding herself a bit.  Aside from the fact Alex is a pretty likeable person, I sincerely doubt Theresa’s problems are because she “loves” everyone, as opposed to the opposite. More likely, the problem is “Stehly’s scorched-earth approach,” “grandstanding” and “bullying behavior.”   

Stehly’s biggest handicap in the City Council race is herself, and the non-stop chaos she keeps trying to whip up.

If Stehly runs, she’s the incumbent and does have the advantage that incumbency provides. But much of that is based on voters believing they made a good decision in the last election. She’s not doing much to reinforce that impression. At all.

Just this year, no one forced her to run a political robocall on Easter weekend against someone the city council sought to hire. (One who’s cost isn’t disclosed in a campaign finance report, I might add.)  No one forced her to claim she’s in fear of being “Epstiened” over a recorded message. No one forced her to actually accuse her colleagues of being “corrupt” over using cell phones. No one forced her to block her critics on Facebook.  Not to mention all the other crazy she’s fostered on the council.

In talking to people in Sioux Falls across a broad political spectrum, they’re just kind of done with it. And they’re more than willing to support a candidate who wants to work for others, as opposed to seeking attention for themselves.

Stehly’s strength in the past has been in grassroots organization. In 2016 she faced politically less experienced opponents. In 2020, she faces former State Representative Jensen who is not just experienced politically, he’s a pretty good campaigner, doesn’t have an aura of negativity, and is already off and running while Stehly is indecisive.

Stehly’s indecision and failure to conduct a campaign might prove to be her downfall.

SECOND BALLOT QUESTION VALIDATED FOR 2020 GENERAL ELECTION 

PIERRE – Secretary of State Steve Barnett announced a petition submitted for an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution was validated and filed by his office today. This ballot measure would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana and require the Legislature to pass laws regarding hemp, including laws to ensure access to marijuana for medical use. The measure will be titled Constitutional Amendment A and will appear on the 2020 General Election ballot on November 3, 2020.

A constitutional amendment currently requires 33,921 valid signatures in order to qualify for the ballot. “As outlined in South Dakota Codified Law § 2-1-16, our office conducted a random sample of the petition signatures and found 68.74 percent to be valid,” stated Secretary Barnett. Based on the results of the random sample, 36,707 signatures were deemed valid.

Upon the filing of a ballot measure, any citizen may challenge the Secretary of State’s validation of the measure under South Dakota Codified Law § 2-1-17.1. Citizens challenging the validation shall submit an original, signed affidavit to the Office of the Secretary of State no more than 30 days after validation. Electronic submissions of affidavits will not be accepted. For this measure, the deadline to file a challenge is Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. central time.

This measure was the final ballot question submitted by the November 4, 2019 deadline. The South Dakota Legislature has the ability to include constitutional amendments on the 2020 Ballot and South Dakota citizens have the ability to submit a referendum petition concerning laws passed during the 2020 Legislative Session.

Detailed information on specific 2020 Ballot Questions may be found on the Secretary of State’s website at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/general-information/2020-ballot- questions.aspx.

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In a report filed today, Democratic Sioux Falls City Council Candidate (NW District) Julian Beaudion has three big dollar donors (besides himself) in his year end report. And one of them is quite noticeable for his political activity.

Democrat State Party Chair Randy Seiler dove straight into this race with Beaudion’s second largest donation, sending a $500 check. Which was only surpassed by fellow Democrat (and Director for the Center for Diversity & Community) Laura Chandler’s donation of $1000.

Interestingly, in the last city election. Beaudion was tied closely to Democrat Sioux Falls Mayoral Candidate Jolene Loetscher, standing with her at one of her press conferences, and was cited as one of the authors of her plan to split the police department into police precincts. Beaudion was also rumored to be Loetscher’s choice for Police Chief had she won in the election.

With his close association with Loetscher, and big bucks coming in from Seiler, Beaudion’s candidacy looks to be Democrat’s partisan beachhead in the non-partisan Sioux Falls City Council race.

Municipal Candidate Committee_ Julian Beaudion_ Campaign Finance Disclosure Report_ Northwest District (NW)… by Pat Powers on Scribd