Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s Weekly Column: Setting the Priorities

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Setting the Priorities
By Rep. Kristi Noem
March 27, 2015

kristi noem headshot May 21 2014One of my favorite authors, John Maxwell, wrote: “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”  On March 25, the House passed a reform-minded and conservative budget that will serve as an outline of where your tax dollars should be going – and to be clear, I believe more of those dollars should stay in your pockets.

The budget we passed was put together under one assumption:  The money being used to formulate this budget is not the federal government’s; it’s yours.  Therefore, we ought to spend every dime budgeted responsibly and respectfully – as if it was our own – free of waste, fraud, and abuse.

With that in mind, the House budget would eliminate $5.5 trillion in spending over the next 10 years, allowing us to balance the budget within the next decade.  Those are big cuts, but we have a big budget that has grown increasingly out of control and stands in the way of a healthy economy.  We need to create economic opportunity, achieve genuine accountability and make the bold choices that are necessary to get more control over this budget.

Unlike the President’s budget proposal, which calls for a $3.5 trillion tax hike without ever balancing, the House’s budget is balanced without raising taxes.  Rather than increasing your taxes, it begins to lay the groundwork for a fairer and simpler tax code that could lower your annual tax bill, enabling you to keep more of your hard-earned dollars at home instead of in Washington’s pockets.

While spending has been cut, we’ve continued to make investments in areas that the federal government has a legitimate responsibility to do so.  For instance, we increase defense spending above the President’s levels, ensuring our men and women in uniform have every piece of equipment and knowledge necessary to successfully take on threats from the Middle East and elsewhere.

Conversely, in areas where control rightfully belongs in the hands of states or local communities, we introduce new limits on the federal government and even repeal programs that the federal government has no business managing, including the President’s health care law.

These are our priorities and this budget will serve as an outline for the House to follow as we fund the federal government for FY2016.  It’s an important mark to make.

Both the Senate and the President have put out their own budget proposals.  While the President’s budgets have always included higher spending and additional taxes or fees, the House has leveraged its conservative budgets time and again to get spending cuts for hardworking taxpayers.  Since I’ve been elected, we’ve been able to eliminate $165 billion in spending, which are the most significant reductions in modern history.  We’ve also enacted the largest deficit control bills since 1981 – with no new tax increases.  It’s progress, but we’ve got a long way to go to achieve a government that is effective, efficient and accountable.

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Governor Daugaard’s Weekly Column: Expecting Another Busy Year For South Dakota’s Parks

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Expecting Another Busy Year For South Dakota’s Parks
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

DaugaardSpring has sprung and summer is around the corner. Now is a good time to plan a summer trip to one of our state parks. If not a week-long vacation, consider at least a weekend or weeknight stay.

State parks are great vacation spots for out-of-state tourists, but they are also great destinations for South Dakotans to spend some quality time with family and friends. We’re fortunate to live in a state where beautiful outdoor opportunities are never too far away. We have an abundance of choices, too. We’re home to 56 state parks and recreation areas including Angostura, Good Earth, North Point, Okobojo and Custer State Park. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, boating – you can do all those things right here in South Dakota.

Last year, more people camped in South Dakota’s state parks than ever before. Our parks hosted over 290,000 nights of camping for in- and out-of-state guests – up 3.8 percent from 2013. State park staff members expect this year to be just as busy.

Linda and I are already planning a trip to Custer State Park. We are reserving our spots early because a number of Linda’s siblings and cousins will be joining us for a big family reunion.

Custer State Park takes reservations one year in advance. For other state parks, however, reservations open 90 days in advance. That means early summer dates are already available.  And, starting the first week of April, you’ll be able to make reservations for the Fourth of July weekend, which is the most popular camping weekend of the year.

Start planning your summer now so you don’t miss out. Make reservations for your favorite campground as soon as possible. To reserve your spot, visit campsd.com or call 1-800-710-2267.

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At Brookings Co Lincoln Day Dinner

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I’m sitting at my nearly empty table, tapping this out as people snake through the food line at the 2015 Brookings County Lincoln Day Dinner.

Congresswoman Kristi Noem is the keynote speaker tonight, a speech I’m looking forward to hearing. Other constitutional officers are here such as Steve Barnett, Chris Nelson, and Marty Jackley.

Very interestingly, State Rep Mark Mickelson is here visiting the city of his youth. I’m not sure of we should chalk that up to nostalgia, or to the fact that the two other main contenders for Governor in 2018 are here as well.

Jason Ravnsborg is here too, which coincides with the rumor of his interest in 2018 contest for Attorney General.

Legislators? State Senator Larry Tidemann and State Representative Scott Munsterman are here locally, and Reps Leslie Heinemann, John Wiik, & Fred Deutsch all made it to town.

The candidates for Mayor, Keith Corbett & Mayor Tim Reed are here, as are other city and county officials.

It’s a nice crowd, especially for an off year. I’ll update on any interesting things that come up tonight.

Senate Approves Thune Budget Amendment Opposing Long-Eared Bat Endangered Species Listing

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Senate Approves Thune Budget Amendment Opposing Long-Eared Bat Endangered Species Listing

“This amendment puts the Senate on record opposing the FWS’s proposal to list the long-eared bat.”

John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressWASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) praised the Senate’s bipartisan approval of his amendment to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget resolution putting the Senate on record opposing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) proposal to list the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“This amendment puts the Senate on record opposing the FWS’s proposal to list the long-eared bat,” said Thune. “The forest management restrictions imposed due to the ESA listing would not only be devastating to forest health and combating the pine beetle epidemic, but would also jeopardize the more than 1,500 timber industry jobs and $119 million in revenue to local Black Hills economies. I will continue working to halt this misguided endangered species listing, and continue partnering with my colleagues in the Senate to prevent overreach by the FWS.”

In 2011, the FWS reached a secret sue-and-settle agreement with two radical environmental groups to require listing determinations on more than 250 species across the United States, including the northern long-eared bat. These bats are dying at alarming rates in parts of the country due to the spread of white-nose syndrome. While this syndrome has been found in 22 states across the country, it has not been found in South Dakota. Despite the lack of evidence suggesting white nose syndrome is a problem in our state, the FWS has proposed limiting forest management in the Black Hills to preserve the long-eared bats’ habitat.

On October 14, 2014, Thune sent a letter to the FWS with Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) encouraging the agency to withdraw its proposed listing of the northern long-eared bat as endangered and to refocus its attention on combating white-nose syndrome. Thune followed-up on his concerns with a January 14 letter to the FWS that he sent along with 12 of his Senate colleagues calling on the FWS to revise the misguided and harmful forest management restrictions accompanying the endangered species listing released in 2014, and instead issue a regulation to allow normal forest management practices and minimize economic impact on states. On March 4, Thune introduced legislation to prevent the FWS from listing the northern long-eared bat under the ESA.

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The Complete List of Jeb Bush legislators. (Or I need to watch my e-mail more closely.)

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Ugh. Too much on my plate, and too much spam in my e-mail box. I am only realizing a day later that I was sent the list of legislators who joined the South Dakota group for Jeb Bush. So, better late than never….

South Dakota State Legislators Join Draft Jeb Bush Group

Senate Majority Leader Joins Group Urging Jeb Bush to Seek Presidency

Sioux Falls, SD— March 26, 2015 — Today Steve Westra (R-SD) announced the addition of eight South Dakota state legislators to the South Dakotans for Jeb Bush volunteer group, including Senate Majority Leader Tim Rave (R-SD). The South Dakotans for Jeb Bush group was founded by Steve Westra, assistant South Dakota House majority leader, and has gathered hundreds of names of South Dakotans that are urging Jeb Bush to run for the presidency of the United States. The group was the first in the nation formed to urge Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, to run for the office of the President.

“We have shown that this draft Jeb Bush movement has broad state wide appeal,” said Westra. “We have respected state leaders from West River ranch country, the James River valley area, Sioux Falls, and all over East River.”

“Jeb Bush represents the best of South Dakota conservatism, and that is why this draft movement is attracting the support of many Republicans. We have farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, educators, and students that are united in their support of Jeb Bush,” said Westra. “Jeb Bush represents the majority of South Dakotan’s views on a limited government, a strong national defense, and protection of our Second Amendment rights.”

South Dakotans for Jeb Bush has set up a Facebook site at www.facebook.com/sdforjeb with over 500 names accumulated to date. The group will be sending Jeb Bush the names of South Dakotans that were early supporters of his campaign.

The complete list of legislators that have joined South Dakotans for Jeb Bush include:

1. Senator Tim Rave (R-SD), Senate Majority Leader, District 25, Baltic, SD
2. Representative Justin R. Cronin (R-SD), District 23, Gettysburg, SD
3. Senator Phyllis Heineman (R-SD), District 13, Sioux Falls, SD
4. Representative Alex Jensen (R-SD), District 12, Sioux Falls, SD
5. Representative Larry Zikmund (R-SD), District 14, Sioux Falls, SD
6. Representative Fred W. Romkema (R-SD), District 31, Spearfish, SD
7. Representative Dick Werner (R-SD), District 22, Huron, SD
8. Representative Burt E. Tulson (R-SD), District 2, Lake Norden, SD

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Press Release: Attorney General Jackley and other Attorneys General Call Upon EPA to Withdraw Proposed Greenhouse Rule

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Attorney General Jackley and other Attorneys General Call Upon
EPA to Withdraw Proposed Greenhouse Rule

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley and 18 other State Attorneys General today asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw the Proposed Rule for the Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Emissions from New Stationary Sources, this rule provides new source performance standards for greenhouse gas emissions for new fossil-fuel fired generating units.
“Protecting the environment through reasonable regulation and enforcement is important to South Dakota. The process and unprecedented action taken by the EPA to expand its authority is unnecessarily affecting economic development and our agricultural industry in South Dakota. In the end these attempts at regulation will only work to stifle economic development, and increase energy prices upon the consumer,” said Jackley.

In 2014, several states submitted extensive comments on the Proposed Rule, explaining the Proposed Rule was unlawful. In addition, they also noted the EPA’s failure to comply with notice and comment requirements. Now over a year later, these comments and related concerns have not been addressed as the EPA moves forward with the implementation of the Proposed Rule.

GOP Passes Balanced Budget, Holds Federal Government Accountable to the American People

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GOP Passes Balanced Budget, Holds Federal Government Accountable to the American People

“This balanced budget resolution is a framework for the more efficient, effective, and accountable federal government that the American people deserve.”  

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget resolution:

“This balanced budget resolution is a framework for the more efficient, effective, and accountable federal government that the American people deserve. Not only does this budget balance, but it does so responsibly without raising a single dime in taxes on hardworking Americans, and it provides the Senate with a significant opportunity to finally repeal and replace ObamaCare.

“By passing a balanced budget that preserves Social Security, supports stronger economic growth, and enhances U.S. energy security, we can show the American people that we’re serious about getting Washington working again for them.”

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Rave, others sign on for Jeb Bush

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The AP has a story this morning noting former GOP Chair, and current Senate Majority Leader, Tim Rave has signed on to support Jeb Bush for President:

A South Dakota lawmaker who formed a group to back potential presidential candidate Jeb Bush is being joined by some top state legislators.

Sioux Falls Republican Rep. Steve Westra says Senate Majority Leader Tim Rave and seven others have signed on to his volunteer group.

Read it here.

(So who are the others? Nice detail, AP)

Butte County GOP Aftermath, complete with threats of a “citizens grand jury.”

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About 2 months ago, on February 1, I had written on the reformation of the Butte County Republican party organization, with the officially elected central committee members selecting county leadership with the assistance of the South Dakota GOP, and members of the Custer and Lawrence county GOP organizations were also on hand for technical advice:

After correct elections were held with the people who were legally permitted under the bylaws to make the choice for county officials, under Republican party bylaws, things had settled down for a couple of months in peace and harmony among the Republican faithful.

Or maybe not.

Yesterday, Gordon Howie follower Bob Ellis posted a missive on his web site from one of the people in attendance:

I attended the “closed” meeting of the Butte County GOP Central Committee Meeting, as an elected Precinct Captain.

The meeting was restricted to Committee members as listed in the South Dakota GOP charter, Section III, County Central Committee rules.

Read that here.

From a read of Mr. Klipp’s letter, amidst questions dangled out there by him to try to stir something up, even he had to concede the party has bylaws which govern the selection process.

If only others had followed them earlier, I suspect there would have been much less confusion on Mr. Klipp’s part.   And behind the scenes, it goes downhill from there.  I’m told that this letter had been circulated in early February, and responded to by the current GOP organization, who offered Mr. Klipp the opportunity to sit down, and play a part on the County Republican board.

And as it was related to me, the olive branch was swatted away, at the same time the old group started claiming they’ve been shut out.  Despite not being elected, or validly serving as central committee members.

Apparently, it’s getting worse than downhill for the group of people who were never elected.  I had a note from the duly elected chairman, and apparently, they have no interest in letting “bylaws be bylaws,” and those who disagree with them want to set up their own system of getting around them:

This morning [redacted] called and said I have two weeks to surrender the party to the old group or face some kind of citizens grand jury or some such nonsense.

And I’m told this group has been calling the Secretary of State, as well as the Butte County Auditor in order to be re-declared “in charge,” despite the lack of any legitimacy for the offices.  That’s just what we need. Crazy sovereign citizen types harassing public officials, and declaring themselves “the real” Republican party, and if people don’t comply, they’ll be subjected to a “Citizens Grand Jury.”

I know it’s a pain, and will probably continue to be such, but it’s good that the state and area county GOP organizations went in to make sure that proper elections were held.  In a civil society, there is such a thing as the rule of law.

And the people who ignore it; when threaten and make stuff up if they don’t get their way – they need to learn a better way.