Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Almost election day in Rapid City? Make sure you check out Sam Kooiker’s Web Site.

@SoDakCampaigns

SamWebAd-SDWC-Blog-300x200 Just a brief plug for our Rapid City readers – Today, please take a moment to check out the web sites for one of our advertisers, Sam Kooiker, who is out campaigning hard for re-election to the office of Mayor of Rapid City.

Like him or not, you can say many things about Sam Kooiker. First and foremost, he’s a hard worker who in campaigns keeps his eye to the grindstone, no matter what his opponents throw at him.

I’ve known Sam for many years. And in my dealings with him, I’ve always found him to be honest & a straight shooter who doesn’t treat people any differently whether they own million-dollar companies or dig ditches for a living. And for someone in an office such as he’s running to return to, that’s a good thing.

So, if you haven’t made up your mind yet, check out “StandWithSam.com” and find out more before you cast your ballot in tomorrow’s election.

Housekeeping….

@SoDakCampaigns

You may have noticed that I’ve made a couple of stylistic changes to the blog, dropping the animated header, and going with the full post display instead of the excerpts.

A reader had mentioned to me that the animated header is a bandwidth and, notably, a battery killer for tablet devices. I’m a desktop guy, so I didn’t notice, and liked it as eye candy, but it served little purpose beyond that.

With the number of ads I have, as well as some of the dynamic NEWSMAX ad content, keeping load times down is in my best interest. So, it’s dropped for now.

As for expanding the top level blog posts, I’m playing with the concept at the moment. I think for the news product I’m offering, its better if more is displayed, as compared to the short excerpts with no photos that the current theme offers.

It also provides a little more real estate for advertising as we move into 2016. This is a reader and advertising supported web site, so more is better.   I might move back to it if I find a better theme. But for now, we’ll go with this.

I’m also pleased with progress of the soft roll out of Dakotafoodie.com, in case you haven’t checked it out… well, check it out. It’s under light construction in places, but otherwise, it’s getting used.  Todd Epp from KSOO has been contributing, and I have another one or two who will be.

It’s a nice place for discussion for one of those other things we need to live besides politics, and “everyone has an opinion.”

Dems teaming up with Hillary to retake US House. Will Paula Hawks be riding her coat tails in SD?

@SoDakCampaigns

Take a look at the article on Politico, about how Democrats are lining up to ride Hillary Clinton’s coat tails, hoping for a boost in the polls:

Her campaign is still in its infancy. The presidential election is nearly 18 months away. But Democrats are already banking on a “Hillary effect,” an anticipated wave that will lift the party’s fortunes up and down the ticket.

Party officials are using Hillary Clinton’s candidacy to recruit candidates at every level of office and employing a simple pitch: Democratic voter turnout tends to be higher in presidential election years — and next year, the former secretary of state’s historic candidacy and formidable organizing efforts will have an especially catalytic effect.

Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee vice chair who’s recruiting women to run for the House, has been convening bimonthly dinners with a group of other female members of Congress and potential future colleagues. She estimates she’s brought half a dozen candidates to the dinners so far — and the topic regularly turns to Clinton.

“A lot of the time the conversation goes to how Hillary Clinton is likely to be at the top of the ticket and how that will be helpful for the candidate,” Bustos said.

Read it here.

In South Dakota, the possibility of Democrats applying this in the state raises a couple of thoughts.

I’m specifically wondering about Democrat Paula Hawks, who is anticipated to be entering the congressional race in South Dakota. There had rumors about her announcing a couple of months ago, but the latest I’m hearing is that she’s going to announce in July.

I can’t help but ask ‘why she pushed things back to the summer?’ Was it suggested to her to hang back for a couple of months while the Clinton effort got underway?  Sharing some of the same views as Hillary Clinton, Hawks would seem to be a natural to jump on the Clinton bandwagon.

The looming question in red-state South Dakota would be whether or not running to the left of Obama is a winning formula here.

Obama Administration moving forward with ‘a dozen’ new gun regs, including ownership restrictions.

@SoDakCampaigns

From the Hill:

GunbanThe Justice Department plans to move forward this year with more than a dozen new gun-related regulations, according to list of rules the agency has proposed to enact before the end of the Obama administration.

and…

“It’s clear President Obama is beginning his final assault on our Second Amendment rights by forcing his anti-gun agenda on honest law-abiding citizens through executive force,” said Luke O’Dell, vice president of political affairs at the National Association for Gun Rights.

The Justice Department plans to issue new rules expanding criteria for people who do not qualify for gun ownership, according to the recently released Unified Agenda, which is a list of rules that federal agencies are developing.

and…

Gun rights advocates argue it would be more effective to ban people on an individual basis, as opposed to banning all people who are mentally ill.

“A person who experienced a temporary reaction to a traumatic event or who has trouble handling household finances may well be treated the same as a violent psychopath,” the NRA wrote.
  “Not only is this unjust and stigmatizing, it creates disincentives for those who need mental health treatment to seek it, increasing whatever risks are associated with untreated mental illness,” it added.

Aside from these issues, some gun rights advocates have also raised concerns about upcoming ATF rules that would require gun dealers to report gun thefts, provide gun storage and safety devices, and place restrictions on high-powered pistols, among other things.

Read it here.

Soooo…….  Any thoughts on this?

US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column: Telemedicine Helps Bring Patients to Doctors

@SoDakCampaigns

thuneheadernew Telemedicine Helps Bring Patients to Doctors
By Senator John Thune

John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressAn increasing number of South Dakotans are seeking the use of telemedicine, which makes it easier for physicians to see patients that may not be able to travel as easily or frequently to where their physician practices. It can be particularly useful when patients are seeking medical care from a specialty provider located outside of the state. Despite its advantages, without a way to more efficiently license physicians across state lines, telemedicine advancement is hindered.

In March 2013, I led a bipartisan letter to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), an organization of state boards of medicine responsible for regulating medicine in each state, encouraging them to begin development of a comprehensive system that would allow states to retain control of medical licensure and ensure the safety of patients who choose to use telemedicine.

During its past legislative session, the South Dakota state legislature was one of the first states that opted to join a compact that would speed up the process of licensing physicians who wish to practice in multiple states. Just recently, a sufficient number of states opted into the compact, making it an effective way to more easily license physicians in multiple states.

Expediting the process by which physicians can be licensed and practicing telemedicine in multiple states in a safe and accountable manner is important, and I am pleased that several of my Senate colleagues have joined me in encouraging FSMB to address this barrier to effective telemedicine. I am particularly pleased that this compact is now in force and can be used to continue to advance the adoption of telemedicine.

I am committed to continuing telemedicine’s advancement in a way that both preserves states’ ability to regulate medicine within their borders and protect their patients. Allowing states to share information, while allowing each state to retain jurisdiction over physicians who choose to practice in the state, is in the best interest of both physicians and patients.

This compact keeps patients safe by preserving state-based licensure and is a win for doctors and patients.

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US Senator Mike Rounds’ Weekly Column: Regulation without Representation

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Regulation without Representation
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds
May 29, 2015

MikeRounds official SenateThe burden placed on Americans to pay for federal regulations in 2014 far exceeded the cost we paid in income taxes. According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Americans paid $1.88 trillion in regulatory compliance and $1.4 trillion in individual federal income taxes. These numbers should concern every one of us. Not only are regulatory costs taking money out of the pockets of South Dakota families, they are stunting economic growth and crushing the can-do American spirit that founded our nation, settled the West, won two world wars and put a man on the moon.

Even more alarming, the rules and regulations are being made by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats at the highest level of government, often behind closed doors. The individuals creating many rules that impact us are not elected and have no direct contact with those who are impacted.

Our founders established three coequal branches of government with checks and balances for each. Recognizing the need for order in our society, they granted congress – whose members are elected by the people – the power to create laws. They never could have imagined today’s rulemaking process, in which unelected people in Washington have the final say in the bulk of rules under which we must live our daily lives. The regulators have essentially become a fourth branch of government and de-facto legislative body.  The current system squeezes out the voice of the people in the democratic process. It’s regulation without representation, and it’s wrong.

It’s time to restore the people’s role in the rulemaking process. I recently introduced a resolution in the Senate to create a Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Reform whose purpose is to review regulations currently on the books and propose a new rules review plan, one that includes elected representatives. The Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Restoration (RESTORE) Resolution takes steps to permanently address overregulation and restore congress’ role in making certain the laws are being carried out as intended.

RESTORE directs the Joint Select Committee to conduct a systematic review of rules currently on the books. It would hold meaningful hearings on the effects of current rules and look for ways to reduce, eliminate or sunset unnecessary and outdated ones. To address regulations moving forward, RESTORE would direct the committee to review and recommend one of several options giving congress a role in reviewing rules before they are enacted. This is already happening in the state legislatures of 41 states, including South Dakota.

Not every rule is bad. Good rules weed out bad actors and keep us safe. But the role of the executive branch is to implement and enforce the laws as congress intended. Unfortunately, the lack of oversight has led to bureaucrats exceeding their authority and overstepping the role of the executive branch. The result is that the rules they implement are hindering our freedoms and stifling the American spirit.

The goal of RESTORE is to restructure the rulemaking process, returning it to the American people so they once again have a say in the rules and regulations that affect them the most. Last year, unelected bureaucrats  implemented 16 rules for every one bill that was signed into law. It is time to end regulation without representation and restore our faith in the people to make the best decisions for their families and businesses.

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Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Protecting Our Backyards

@SoDakCampaigns

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Protecting Our Backyards
By Rep. Kristi Noem
May 29, 2015

kristi noem headshot May 21 2014America’s protection of property rights has always set us apart from others around the globe, but it’s an American value that is under attack today.  On May 27, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that could represent one of the largest federal land grabs in United States history.  In the swoop of a regulatory pen, the EPA expanded the federal government’s control to include small and seasonal bodies of water.  That means ditches, prairie potholes, and even streams that run through your yard after a heavy rain could be subject to federal regulations under the Clean Water Act.

Without a doubt, we should all be able to turn on the faucet or go fishing and know the water is safe.  For years, the Clean Water Act has helped accomplish that, but this latest move by the EPA goes too far.

Under the new EPA rule, farmers and ranchers – especially those in the Prairie Pothole region – may have to get additional permits from the federal government in order to control bugs or weeds in their fields.  Homeowners may be required to get permission from the federal government in order to put a fence up in their backyard.  Landowners may need approval from the federal government if they want to build a house or even plant a tree.

The costs of permit applications and compliance may be significant to begin with, but any failure to comply with the complex web of federal rules and regulations could result in a fine as high as $37,500 per violation per day.  What family can afford that?

Since this rule was initially proposed, thousands of people have reached out to the federal government to say they don’t want the EPA as a guest in their backyard.  To push back, the EPA, which is supposed to be an objective arbiter, launched a campaign on social media and elsewhere to gin up support for the government expansion.  Their campaign failed and the public continued to criticize the rule.  But the EPA ignored these facts, insisting this erosion of private property rights move forward anyways.

The May 27 announcement was the EPA’s final ruling, but that does not mean it’s the end of the road.  In early May, I joined the U.S. House of Representatives in passing H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015.  If enacted, this bipartisan legislation would stop the EPA from moving forward and send them and their partners in the Army Corps of Engineers back to the drawing board.  Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate, so I’m hopeful they will act quickly to pass the bill.

Once again, the administration is overstepping its legal bounds with this regulation.  The Clean Water Act was never intended to be so personally invasive – a reality the Supreme Court has reaffirmed on two separate occasions.  It’s time the federal government begin respecting the property rights of hardworking Americans and ditch this rule.

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Lt. Gov. Matt Michels Weekly Column: “Be The Cure” In South Dakota

@SoDakCampaigns

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“Be The Cure” In South Dakota
A column by Lt. Gov. Matt Michels:

Matt MichelsI currently serve as South Dakota’s Lt. Governor, but I have had the opportunity to wear a lot of different “hats” throughout the years. Few have been as formative as my nurse “hat.” Nursing exposed me to people from many different walks of life and taught me about compassion, as well as countless other life lessons. But, it also taught me about the far-reaching impact of medical ailments and the importance of doing what we can, as a society, to confront those ailments.

Public health should be everyone’s concern. Over the years, the development of new medicines has been vital in helping people live longer and healthier lives. Clinical trials are the primary route by which patients can voluntarily participate in the drug development process, receive access to unapproved investigational medicines and contribute to the collection of data necessary for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

Successful clinical trials require diverse and robust volunteer participation. It is important that people of all races understand the benefits of clinical trials. Different racial groups can be affected by different diseases and may respond differently to certain kinds of medications. Unfortunately, minority groups are typically underrepresented in clinical trials, resulting in limited evidence for how effective such treatments may be for those individuals.

As Lt. Governor, I have the opportunity to participate in a bipartisan group called the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA). This year the NLGA is starting a new program called “Be the Cure.” The goal of the program is to increase education and awareness among legislators, policymakers, patients and providers about the clinical trial process, specifically the need for participation of diverse patient populations.

South Dakota is home to people of many different backgrounds, and we need to work to continue advancing medicines that could help all of our state’s residents. It is important that we all spread the word about the need for diversity enrollment in clinical trials and the value and benefits of increased participation by underrepresented communities.

I encourage you visit the National Lt. Governors Association “Be the Cure” web site at www.nlga.us  to learn more about the importance of clinical trials and increased participation by all.

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Light posting for a couple. I’m back south (hopefully for the last time)

@SoDakCampaigns

Greetings from excessively humid Bella Vista, Arkansas!

No, I’m not vacationing. My pickup is loaded up, the estate sale people are coming today, and I’m hoping I’m on my last trip to clear out my in-laws’ home in preparation for sale.

We’re breaking for lunch at the moment, as you can tell from a couple of my dining/working companions:

They’ve been ‘toting that barge,’ and ‘lifting that bale’ since 7am, so they’re entitled to be fed at least once today.

Packing boxes, unloading cabinets, moving furniture, loading trucks – It’s just like the 20-plus years I spent in the auction business again. And a reminder why none of my daughters had any interest in it. Not even clerking! My boys still have a smile… for now.

So, light posting for a bit. It’s time to get back to the grind.