Author: Pat Powers

I am laughing this morning, because I used a quote about how things used to be 35 years ago, in an article which is just out on South Dakota Searchlight.

Which might make me officially old.

Powers rejects the argument from some Republicans that they’re the “true conservatives” while others are RINOs – Republicans in name only.

“I’ve been involved with the Republican Party for over 35 years now, and at one time, people who held my point of view were considered the ultra-conservatives,” Powers said. “And now, as we’ve gotten older, there are people who think we’re the moderates.”

Powers said “people are in the Republican Party by virtue of registering Republican,” and that means there will always be disagreements. But at the end of the day, they “disagree on very little.”

Read the entire article here.

Now get off my lawn, you darn kids.

Former Argus Leader reporter, Joe Sneve, now of The Dakota Scout, is in a Twitter debate with Argus Leader education reporter Morgan Matzen over the language he used in a story about State Representative Fred Deutsch.

It’s an exchange which seems to give some insight into the work conditions that former Argus Reporters Sneve and Jon Ellis from the Dakota Scout worked under and the corporate demand for woke-speak from corporate parent Gannet:

I don’t need a whole thread to respond to this. I’ll sum it up in one tweet: Activist journalism is not what we do at @TheDakotaScout https://t.co/TtHPAogobD

— Joe Sneve (@DakotaScoutJoe) February 17, 2023

The Trans Journalists Association style guide actually says to avoid “biological female” for example because it’s inaccurate and offensive. When necessary, you can refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth, but think seriously about whether a story requires this information.

— Morgan Matzen (@bymorganmatzen) February 17, 2023

If you’re reading this thread and have any questions, please consult the @TransJA handbook. https://t.co/8P6QrSUG6o

— Morgan Matzen (@bymorganmatzen) February 17, 2023

What do you think? Is Sneve in the wrong for not following the “trans-journalism style book?”

Or is he correct to reject the demands from his former co-worker Matzen, commanding him to get in the woke-lane, grab a pronoun list, and go along with the crowd when it comes to his writing?

Attorney General Jackley Announces Lawsuit on Biden Administration WOTUS Rule

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says South Dakota has joined 23 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Biden Administration’s “Waters of the United States” rules.

“This is a federal government attempt to exceed its authority granted by Congress as provided in the Clean Water Act,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This rule will drastically impact how South Dakota manages its waterways.”

The states’ lawsuit is filed against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The states contend that the rule, signed by President Biden on his first day in office in 2021, would redefine “navigable waters” to include ponds, certain streams, ditches, and other bodies of water that would be placed under the Clean Water Act as defined by the EPA and the Corps of Engineers.

“As it states in the lawsuit, this rule would require farmers, developers and other property owners to get permission from the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to use these water ways in most ways,” said Attorney General Jackley. “That places an undue burden on South Dakotans who would face federal government punishment for even the slightest misuse.”

Other states involved in the lawsuit are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

“We appreciate the involvement of other states on this issue, and we hope for a positive consideration from the courts,” said Attorney General Jackley.

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Governor Noem Appoints James White to Game, Fish & Parks Commission 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will appoint James (Jim) White to serve on the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission.

“I love South Dakota’s outdoors. We need to preserve our natural treasures for our kids and grandkids while responsibly sharing them with those who come to visit us,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Jim recognizes this important responsibility and will pursue his role on the GFP Commission accordingly. I look forward to working with him.”

White resides in Huron, South Dakota. He previously served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2011-2012 and South Dakota Senate from 2013-2020, including as Assistant Majority Leader from 2015-2016.

In 2004, White retired from his role as a district president of Wells Fargo Bank in Aberdeen. White received a teaching degree from the University of North Dakota at Ellendale and later worked as a teacher.

“I was raised outdoors and have been hunting, fishing, camping, and enjoying our state parks my whole life,” said Jim White. “I was fortunate to raise my children and grandchildren the same way and I want to ensure future generations can enjoy our outdoor resources here in South Dakota.  I am extremely excited for the opportunity to serve on the GFP Commission.”

Information on the GFP Commission can be found here. A photograph of White can be found here.

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Gov. Noem and Colleagues Release Joint Statement on Foreign Objects

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and 16 of her fellow Republican governors released a joint statement on the multiple foreign objects that have violated American airspace over the last few weeks. You can read the statement here.

 “The violation of American airspace by multiple foreign objects is unprecedented and threatens our national sovereignty along with the security of our states,” wrote Governor Noemand her colleagues. “As Governors, we have sworn an oath to defend against ‘all enemies, foreign and domestic.’ Yet, President Biden has chosen not to fully communicate with the public about this critical issue impacting public safety.”

When the federal government refuses to step up, it’s up to the states to take action. Governor Noem is working with legislators this session on bills that will keep South Dakota secure.

“Too much time has passed, and too little information is known,” continued Governor Noem and the other governors. “President Biden owes the American people answers.”

Governor Noem was joined by the following Republican governors in issuing the statement: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and Wyoming Governor mark Gordon.

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A bill was in front of legislators today to help school boards protect kids from their fellow students that might do them harm, but one Senator was definitely out to lunch and out of his mind this morning.

Senate Bill 168 was up in Senate Education this morning to allow school boards to deal with the sticky issue of what to do with students who are sex offenders:

A board of a school district may adopt a policy that requires a student who is registered as a sex offender, pursuant to § 22-24B-2, to receive instruction through remote or distance learning or an alternative educational program.

Read that here.

Apparently, there is a case that a School District is dealing with, and this measure was brought to create permissive language to give the school district options to meet their obligations under FAPE to make it clear they will allow an student who is a sex offender to be served and educated remotely.  Away from classmates, away from potential victims.

Good solution, right? Apparently there are those who disagree.

It was about then my phone started blowing up, as State Senator Tom Pischke, the same person who was the lone voice protecting Senator Julie Frye Mueller’s right to harass an employee about breastfeeding was a hard NO vote on kicking sex offenders out of the classroom.

I haven’t had a chance to listen for myself, but I’m told that in his dissent of protecting kids from rapists in their midst, apparently he was muttering something about the “rights” of the sex offender.

Fighting schools on protecting their students from sex offenders… Hm..

Is that what passes as statesmanship in the Senate nowadays?

So soon? Just ignore those candidates behind the curtain…

Not sure that they can paint over that kind of failure.

Austin Goss is reporting more new employees rolling into the Secretary of State’s office after the last group ..departed. In addition to Adam Miller whom I had mentioned a while back, the SOS has filled another vacated position:

Johnson confirmed the addition of Reggie Rhoden and Adam Miller to the office. Rhoden will be the Elections Coordinator and Pistol Permit Administrator for the office….

And….

Rhoden previously worked for the state at the Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR). According to his LinkedIn, he most recently served as a Regional Consultant for Northpoint Data Security.

Read the entire story here.

Joe Sneve from the Dakota Scout is pointing out on Twitter that Democrat Rep. Kameron Nelson’s plan to “make South Dakota one of the queerest states in the nation” might be a hard sell to most voters.

Will remarks like this help Dems’ chances of winning anywhere in South Dakota outside of District 15 in Sioux Falls? https://t.co/qKrrSgGWYL

— Joe Sneve (@DakotaScoutJoe) February 11, 2023

The last time a political activist proposed something like this, they were foiled by bears.

The experiment was called the “Free Town Project” (it later became the “Free State Project”), and the goal was simple: take over Grafton’s local government and turn it into a libertarian utopia. The movement was cooked up by a small group of ragtag libertarian activists who saw in Grafton a unique opportunity to realize their dreams of a perfectly logical and perfectly market-based community.

and..

There’s a lesson in this for anyone interested in seeing it, which is that if you try to make the world fit neatly into an ideological box, you’ll have to distort or ignore reality to do it — usually with terrible consequences.

Read how the Libertarian plan to take over a community was foiled by bears here.

Sometimes the things that sound good when you’re playing for the press at the podium just have unintended consequences.

Governor Noem Appoints Steve Perkins to Board of Education Standards 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will appoint Steven (Steve) Perkins to the South Dakota Board of Education Standards, effective immediately. He will take the seat previously occupied by Becky Guffin.

“Steve has grandkids of his own, and he realizes that their future is of the utmost importance,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “He will always put the future of our next generation first in his approach to the Board of Education Standards, and that is why he is a great pick for this role.”

Steve has spent years in business, including as the Principal of Perkins Consulting in Sioux Falls since 2006; the Secretary and Treasurer of New Horizon Farms in Pipestone, MN from 1997 to 2006; and the President and CEO of Ellison Meat Co. in Pipestone from 1997 to 2001. Prior to his career in business, Steve served as City Administrator for Red Wing, MN from 1992 to 1997; as the City Administrator for Luverne, MN from 1986 to 1992; and as mayor of Pipestone, MN from 1977-1986.

Steve previously taught real estate education classes and continuing education classes at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Worthington Campus; Southwest Minnesota State University; and through Community Education at Luverne Public Schools. He was also involved in establishing a 3-way partnership between the City of Luverne, Sanford Health, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College to establish Associate of Arts degree programs for the career paths of radiologic technician, surgical technician, medical assistant, and lab technician.

“Our kids are our most precious asset, and our standards should set them up with the best possible opportunity for success,” said Steve Perkins. “We need to raise the bar for our children and work to ensure that every child has the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

Steve’s past volunteer service includes serving as Chair of the Luverne Community Hospital Board and Sanford Hospital Luverne Community Advisory Board, as Director and Trustee Council Member of the Minnesota Hospital Association, and as Chair of the Committee on Governance for the American Hospital Association.

Steve received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Business, and Political Science from Macalester College.

Steve has four adult stepchildren with his wife Marianne. Together they have eight grandchildren.

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