Author: Pat Powers

Keeping South Dakota Ag on Offense
By: Governor Kristi Noem
June 21, 2024

Farmers are some of the biggest gamblers I know. They go to a bank, borrow money to buy land – borrow more money to buy equipment. Then they go back and get an operating note so they can buy seed, fertilizer, and chemical. And then they bury it all in the dirt. They pray that it might rain, that something might grow, and that they’ll have something to sell so that they can pay back those loans.

But if we didn’t have people willing to make that gamble, then families across the country and around the world wouldn’t have food to put on the table. 

Their work is not easy – and we have so much appreciation for our ag producers.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s most important industry for good reason. We feed the world. We have more cows-per-person than any state. I am tremendously proud of that fact. About 95% of South Dakota farms are still family-owned and operated. Ag contributes more than $32 billion to our state’s economy – about 30% of our economic output. 

When ag prospers, South Dakota prospers; when droughts hit or markets slide, everyone feels that, too.

Thankfully, South Dakota’s economy is booming. But we are not leaving ag behind in all this growth. My Governor’s Office of Economic Development has identified Precision Ag and Value-Added Ag as key sectors of our economy to grow and develop. Our Dairy industry
is one of South Dakota’s fastest-growing economic engines. And with new food production coming in, like the state-of-the-art Asian food production plant that Schwan’s is building in Sioux Falls, we are not slowing down.

With all the growth we have seen, it is vital that we keep farmers farming. My team is constantly focusing on ag’s growth – asking questions like what’s the next opportunity, the next innovation, the next risk to take? 

We want to keep South Dakota ag on offense. And to do that, I’m happy to play defense wherever necessary.

Attacks on Ag are coming from both within and from outside of our nation. The Biden Administration seems determined to put as much red tape and regulations in our producers’ way as possible. I have testified against such regulations in front of Congress, and I am working to challenge whatever unconstitutional regulations the Biden Administration puts in our way.

We decided a long time ago that it is important that we grow our own food in this country – that we have a diverse, safe food supply that provides for our people without undue foreign interference. So we are defending South Dakota ag from undue foreign influence.  

This past legislative session, I signed legislation to protect South Dakota ag land from being purchased by six “Evil Foreign Governments” and their agents. The Chinese Communist Party has increased their holdings of American ag land by more than 5000% in the last 10 years. These Communist dictators are not our friends. They are not our allies. They should not be our neighbors.

My dad always told me, “Kristi, God’s not making any more land.” In a lot of ways, our land is our most precious asset, and we should encourage one another to be visionary about protecting our farms. We shouldn’t be selling that asset to nations that hate us – and now we have the laws in place to stop that from happening.

Ag is so important to our economy, and it’s also important to the future of our nation. South Dakota will continue to focus on how to keep ag growing and thriving for the future.

###

From Twitter comes the story of Kristi Noem: America’s Governor:

Transition Studios presents
America’s Governor: The Kristi Noem Story pic.twitter.com/Kg2TbQxQDK

— Transition Studios (@TransitionCLE) June 20, 2024

Planning a Trip to D.C.
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
June 21, 2024

It’s almost the 4^th of July, which is one of the best times to visit our nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. has endless activities. From checking out any of the more than 80 museums, attending a major league sports game, or visiting some of the most famous memorials, there is something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to visit D.C. this summer, here are a few things to remember to have a fun and memorable trip.

If you are planning a visit, a Capitol Tour is a must-do. For assistance booking tours of the Capitol, White House, FBI Building, and Supreme Court, call my office at (202) 225-2801or visit my website dustyjohnson.house.gov. All tours are first come, first served, so be sure to reserve as soon as possible.

The city is filled with iconic landmarks everywhere you go. As you walk down the National Mall or downtown streets, you’ll see monuments, memorials, and statues honoring influential Americans throughout history. If you are interested in theater, you’re in luck! D.C is home to more than 13 iconic theatres, like the Kennedy Center and Ford’s Theatre. Tickets are available throughout the summer for many famous performances.

While I’m in D.C. for work, I often don’t have time to see the sights, but in April, I visited the American History Museum with my family, gave them a tour of a Capitol, and rode scooters down the National Mall. We all had a great time.

They don’t call D.C. “the Swamp” for no reason. Summers are hot and humid, so before you pack your bags, check the weather forecast for your trip so you can pack properly. Remember to stay hydrated and bring an umbrella for those unexpected afternoon thunderstorms.

To see a full list of landmarks, museums, and activities to check out while visiting, look under “services” on my website, linked here. Feel free to contact my office with questions. I hope to see you out here!

###

Attorney General Jackley Joins State Attorneys General Opposing Gag Order Against Former President Trump

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that he has joined a 24-state coalition urging the courts to deny a Special Prosecutor’s request for a gag order against former President Trump.

The Special Prosecutor has requested a gag order that prohibits former President Trump from criticizing the raid of his Mar-a-Lago home. The states argue that the gag order is unclear, infringes on former President Trump’s free speech rights, and interferes with American voters’ rights to hear what their candidate has to say leading into an election.

 “In all my years as a U.S. Attorney, South Dakota Attorney General, and State’s Attorney, I have never asked for a gag order on any defendant regardless of what a defendant said about me or the process,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We don’t do this in America — it’s called free speech and free elections.”

Other Attorney Generals joining the coalition are from: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Read the full amicus brief here. 

Rounds Launches Effort to Get Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for Beef in the Farm Bill

Asks Senate Colleagues to Join Him, Deadline to Sign is June 24

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today launched a nationwide effort to support American farmers and ranchers by including Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) in the 2024 Farm Bill.

As the deadline for the Farm Bill approaches on September 30, different policy frameworks have been unveiled by each party in both the House and the Senate, with the House framework already having passed through the House Agriculture Committee. Producers from South Dakota and across the nation have expressed strong support for including a MCOOL solution in the Farm Bill.  

 MCOOL was originally passed in the 2002 Farm Bill but then repealed in 2015 by Congress due to Canada and Mexico filing disputes with the World Trade Organization. A report done before the 2015 repeal showed 90% of consumers favored requiring food sellers to indicate on the package label the country of origin of fresh meat.

A majority of products imported into the United States have to disclose the item’s country of origin to the consumer. Currently, country of origin labeling laws apply to agricultural food products like lamb, goat, chicken, venison, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, peanuts, pecans, macadamia nuts and ginseng.

Rounds is inviting Senate colleagues to join his letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee requesting that they add MCOOL to the framework for the 2024 Farm Bill. Rounds is also requesting that farm and ranch advocacy groups call on their Senators to join him on this effort. The deadline to sign on to the letter is June 24.

“It is past time to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling for beef,” said Rounds. “U.S. farmers and ranchers work hard to produce high-quality products for their fellow Americans. They deserve to have their beef differentiated from foreign-made product. Consumers want to be able to purchase beef born, raised and processed in the United States without wondering if it’s secretly coming from a foreign country. I encourage my colleagues to join me in the fight to get MCOOL included in our next farm bill.” 

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a vocal supporter of MCOOL since he first started in the Senate in 2015. Rounds also led the congressional effort to close the ‘Product of USA’ labeling loophole. He first introduced legislation in October 2019 that would make certain the ‘Product of USA’ label is only applied to beef products born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. Following years of work, in March 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized a rule defining that the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” labels can only be applied to meat, poultry and egg products that are born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.

Read the full text of the letter below.

+++

Dear Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman:

American farmers and ranchers produce the highest quality beef products in the world. Consumers and producers across the nation recognize this fact and are in search of additional market integrity. Therefore, we believe it is past time to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. As the Senate Agriculture Committee develops a new Farm Bill, we believe it is necessary to work towards a feasible MCOOL solution.

For almost a century, U.S. trade law has required the majority of imported products to bear a country of origin label. Americans recognize the clear benefits of consumer labeling laws and regularly use this information when making important purchasing decisions. Yet as you know, a number of agricultural commodities have been excluded from country of origin labeling requirements. In response, a broad coalition of producer and consumer groups worked to incorporate retail-level MCOOL in the 2002 Farm Bill.

Following the successful implementation of MCOOL, producers and consumers enjoyed a short-lived period of marketplace transparency. This change applied the same country of origin labeling standards to beef as the majority of other consumer goods sold in America. Unfortunately, a coalition of large meatpacking companies and foreign beef interests worked to repeal MCOOL. After Canada and Mexico filed a dispute with the World Trade Organization (WTO), Congress officially rescinded the law in 2015.

Since the repeal of MCOOL, American cattle producers have experienced significant market fluctuations. Concurrently, the largest meat packers have realized immense profits through the use of forward contracting and formula-based sales. While cattle prices are currently on the rise, it is evident producers will again encounter market disruptions. As farmers and ranchers deal with a volatile market, it is imperative the federal government work to provide a level playing field. This can be achieved through supporting additional transparency in our beef labeling system.

Our American farmers and ranchers work hard to provide the safest and best tasting beef in the world. Producers of foreign beef should not receive an unfair advantage when engaging in our domestic markets, especially as our competitors do not always meet American animal health and consumer safety standards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent “Product of the USA” final rulemaking is a step in the right direction, but there is more work to be done.

Without a reasonable solution to the MCOOL question, hardworking American farmers and ranchers will continue to be put at a disadvantage. It is our hope Congress will use the Farm Bill to address this pressing issue. This would entail using the legislation to require U.S. trade leaders to develop a WTO compliant means of reimplementing MCOOL.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you as we move closer to finalizing the upcoming Farm Bill.

###

I wasn’t sure, as it hadn’t appeared in any social media at all, but it appears the Democrats were able to successfully talk someone into running for the public utilities commission.

Forrest Wilson has been nominated to represent the South Dakota Democratic Party in November’s general election, earning the support of party delegates during the Democratic state convention held Saturday in Oacoma.

and..

Wilson, unopposed within the party for the nomination, hails from Lawrence County and is active in the county’s Democratic Party. According to state records, the Lead resident is a former employee of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation and now serves as a director at the Boys and Girls Club of Lead-Deadwood.

Read the entire story here.

Forrest will “run Forrest run” against current Republican utilities commissioner Kristi Fiegen. Libertarian Gideon Oakes has also indicated that he will be seeking his parties nomination for the fall election.

The final race of the day at the 2024 SDGOP Convention is the National Committeewoman Race between Heidi Engelhart and Amber Hulse with their respective delegations extolling their virtues.

Engelhart’s speech established her right off as a pipeline protester, declaring her support of “life, liberty and private property,”despite no information that her opponent disagrees. Hulse spoke about her experience in the Trump White House, as well as her platform of election integrity, engaging the next generation, and making sure we have the resources to run our campaigns.

The vote ended up giving the contest to Engelhart over Hulse in an early lead.

Despite the loss, Hulse was victorious this last Tuesday in her contest for State Senate against Julie Frye Mueller. Having the prospective title of Senator after this fall’s election is still a pretty good consolation prize.

From S.D. Searchlight comes an article on this weeks’ Republican Convention.

It’s going about as well as expected, as members of the hard right claim to the media that they’re being sidelined and oppressed. (insert eyeroll here, and cue the world’s smallest violin):

“There is a lot of frustration from the grassroots people who have come to partake in the convention,” said Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, who won her primary.

She said some of those people feel party officials are attempting to sideline the everyday Republicans who make up the base of the party.

And..

“They believe themselves to be the base, but they don’t take into account the other 80% of registered Republicans,” Powers said. “They are by no means reflective of the views of South Dakota Republicans as a whole.”

He said the allegation that some people at the convention are being sidelined is “silliness.”

“If they have the votes, they can do what they want,” Powers said.

Read that here.

It’s not often I have to point out that well-to-do legislators probably should not consider themselves oppressed in any way, but, yeah. I don’t think PAC funding Karla Lems has been sidelined or oppressed.

And everyday Republicans are not here. It’s activists only, because everyday Republicans are in the fields, watching kids play ball, and doing everything EXCEPT being at a Republican Convention on a Friday in June.

With that being said.. Then there’s Phil Jensen.

…Rep. Phil Jensen, of Rapid City, is challenging Watertown Mayor and former legislator Ried Holien for the position of national committeeman.

Jensen said party members want and deserve more deeply conservative leadership.

“I want to be a voice for the grassroots,” Jensen said. “These county parties have gotten organized so that they can be represented.”

Read that here.

As I wrote on my website yesterday, as Republicans, it should give us all pause as to what image we want to represent. Because Phil Jensen might be the worst role model to represent South Dakota Republicans. Ever.

If you are unsure what I am referring to, I have a list. And it’s not complete.

And the convention continues to roll on.

Gov. Noem’s Freedom Works Here Wins ANOTHER National Award 

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem’s Freedom Works Here Ad, “Kiss My Abacus,” won a national award for Art Direction at this year’s Telly Awards. Previously, the “Bright Side” ad also won a national award at this year’s Reed Awards.

“Freedom Works Here tells South Dakota’s inspiring story to the entire nation,” said Governor Noem. “Freedom-loving folks from across America are recognizing that South Dakota really is the best state for them, for their businesses, and for their families. And I am proud that these ads are receiving so much national recognition.”

Freedom Works Here is the most successful workforce recruitment campaign in South Dakota history. Over 10,000 people have started the process to move to South Dakota, and thousands are already here!

To learn more, visit FreedomWorksHere.com.

###