Author: Pat Powers

In my earlier post, my initial take away from the Dakota Scout article today was the silliness of State Representative Aaron Aylward telling reporters that he did not ask all of legislators whether they wanted to sign his letter because he was afraid of leaks.

But as was pointed out to me earlier this afternoon, his purpose for the letter was maybe a bit more dubious, leading me to question whether or not legislators were told they were signing on to protest money being spent by the United States to fight terrorists in Israel?

First, the letter as written:

Somewhat broad. But when we go back to the story, Aylward provides his motivation – the raison d’être – behind the letter originating from the former libertarian party chairman:

Rep. Aaron Aylward, who spearheaded the letter-writing campaign, told The Dakota Scout the group felt an urgency to send the correspondence due to escalating geopolitical tensions around the globe — particularly wars involving Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas.

and..

Israel has received about $18 billion since October 7, 2023.

Read that here.

The letter that was signed said nothing about Israel, but clearly, in Aylward’s comments to the reporter, his objection to aid for Israel against terrorist Hamas was a major drive behind his reasoning for it.

Really, did letter-signing Legislators such as Fred Deutsch, who has been a staunch supporter of Israel, suddenly feel an urgency to oppose aid to the country now?  Did Aylward actually tell legislators that he was hoodwinking them into telling our Congressional Delegation to stop supporting Israel, and to side with Bernie Sanders and Hamas?

I seriously doubt it.

Senators Thune & Rounds and Congressman Johnson, please – let’s keep the fight against terrorism overseas, and continue supporting a solid ally of America in the Middle-East.

Certain House and Senate legislators are being carved up and divided along not party lines, but on whether they’re in the right legislative clique. Because if they aren’t – when it comes to communicating with state leaders – they might be a dirty leaker!

Rep. Aaron Aylward, who spearheaded the letter-writing campaign, told The Dakota Scout the group felt an urgency to send the correspondence due to escalating geopolitical tensions around the globe — particularly wars involving Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas.

and…

Aylward told The Scout only 55 lawmakers were asked to sign onto the letters due to fears of “leaks.”

Read that here.

A letter to our US Senator on policy which is apparently too secret to talk to all legislators about? ‘Due to fear of leaks?”

We live in interesting times. And paranoid times.

Attorney General Jackley Statement on Search for New U.S. Attorney General Nominee

“As a former U.S. Attorney and South Dakota’s Attorney General, I have a vested interest in the U.S. Department of Justice. The Nominee will need to work with federal, state, and local prosecutors, uphold the rule of law, and bring back respect to the DOJ.”

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Rounds Introduces Legislation to Eliminate U.S. Department of Education

Legislation would return education to local control, redistribute critical programs to existing federal Departments

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act” which would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and redistribute all critical federal programs under other departments.

The Department was created in 1979 with the goal of collecting data and advising schools across the U.S. on best practices. In the 45 years since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy with a budget that’s 449% larger than it was at its founding. Despite the Department spending $16,000 per student per year, standardized test scores have been dropping over the past ten years, further displaying the Department’s ineffectiveness on the quality of education for American students. Any grants or funding from the Department are only given to states and educational institutions in exchange for adopting the one-size-fits-all standards put forth by the Department.

“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student, and it’s long past time to end this bureaucratic Department that causes more harm than good,” said Rounds. “We all know local control is best when it comes to education. Everyone raised in South Dakota can think of a teacher who played a big part in their educational journey. Local school boards and state Departments of Education know best what their students need, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

“For years, I’ve worked toward removing the federal Department of Education. I’m pleased that President-elect Trump shares this vision, and I’m excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year.”

Despite its inefficiencies, there are several important programs housed within the Department. Rounds’ legislation would redirect these to Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor and State:

 

Department of the Interior

• Native American-Serving Institutions Programs
• Alaska Native Education Equity Program
• American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
• Indian Education Formula Grants and National Activities
• Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program
• Native Hawaiian Education
• Special Programs for Indian Children
• Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Program
• Impact Aid Programs

Department of the Treasury

• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
• Federal Family Education Loan Program
• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• Federal Pell Grant Program
• Health Education Assistance Loan Program
• Education Sciences Reform Act

Department of Health and Human Services

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• American Printing House for the Blind
• Helen Keller Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults
• Federal Real Property Assistance Program
• Special Education Grants

Department of Labor

• All Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education programs
• National Technical Institute for the Deaf
• Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program
• Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants

Department of State

• Fulbright-Hays Program

Click HERE for full bill text.

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As mentioned yesterday, the confederate group of Republicans held a forum last night for people they find acceptable to serve as the next SDGOP chair. I didn’t watch myself, as my wife made soup, and a bowl of homemade soup was far more important – and substantive – than a three-hour complete clown show.  But for those who subjected themselves to this act of electronic self-flagellation, here’s what we found out.

Starting off, imagine you asked a group of 70+ year olds to join a Zoom meeting. That was exactly what you got. One correspondent offered “So bad. Unorganized and people didn’t know how to run zoom mic or camera. I jumped ship once I realized how nutso it was being run.”

I believe it was 45 minutes –  maybe an hour later before they got into the speeches of those who want to take over the party. Three candidates each given 45 minutes. What can go wrong?

From “Attempted Conversion” Lee Qualm, what did we find out?

Qualm declared – “I support no exceptions for rape and incest.” ….because the SDGOP chair has anything to do with abortion policy…?  Well, this is the same ex-majority leader who was part of the House leadership team that the Governor had to take to the woodshed because they declared a dress code that women could not be sleeveless, had to wear nylons, and no skirts above the knees. So I’m not sure that we would expect anything else in a speech from Qualm running for chairman of the party.

And it got better. State Senator Erin Tobin made a couple of statements which triggered Qualm family members to attack her. She encouraged meeting participants to do better, and to lead with morals and values..

Of course, they booted her out of the meeting..

About the only other thing we found out is that he would have Marli Wiese as his vice chair. Bylaws require the vice-chair to be of the opposite gender of the chair, so there’s that. We will see if the nylons and no-sleeve rules still apply.

Ezra Hays was the next candidate to speak. And interestingly, no one really had anything noteworthy or memorable to remark. About the only report I got back was that he said “one of the most valuable things that I did during the amendment H campaign was going outside of the party (for fundraising).” 

Given that his fundraising numbers were less than impressive that would not bode well. At all.

Hand County Commissioner Jim Eschenbaum tried to use the word unity, but said the divide in the party can not be fixed because “we have politicians and people who are establishment players and they want to play politics” among other random words and noises that exited his voice box.

Eschenbaum spent more time attacking Sen. Thune, Governor Noem, a majority of the legislature and others, as well as declaring that the party should be involved in primary elections because that’s our wrestling match.

We did also find out some of the standards being applied by some County Republicans participating in the meeting during his talk:

Which gives you a pretty good snapshot of what the incoming chair will be dealing with.

The three-hour zoom meeting might seem like comedy, but it’s equally tragedy that any of these three options are all that’s interested in leading the state’s largest political party right now.

I and many other people active in the Republican Party hold out hope that a leader may yet emerge who is up to the challenge and willing to take on the task.

Because so far, none of the people campaigning are it.

Apparently, Meade County isn’t exactly aggressive about pursuing domestic abuse cases .

Shad Olson was arrested earlier this year and charged because of an alleged incidence of violence that took place at his home north of Rapid City. He was taken into custody by the Meade County Sheriff’s office. The two felony charges were for domestic abuse and aggravated assault involving serious bodily injury, and another for strangulation. Both were dropped, according to court documents

and..

“The state has agreed to dismiss the felony charges currently pending and has agreed to a remand of this matter to magistrate court for further proceedings on the remaining misdemeanor charges,” Love wrote in his motion. He declined to comment when contacted by The Dakota Scout.

Read that here.

Shad may have avoided a felony, but I don’t think we can consider him innocent by any stretch of the imagination.

And the state’s attorney may have some explaining to do why.

A Pivotal Week for South Dakota’s Leadership
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
November 15, 2024

BIG Update

After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, it was reported that a Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) employee who was tasked with leading recovery efforts in Florida directed FEMA workers to avoid homes with Trump campaign signs. This is wholly un-American and contradicts FEMA’s mission to respond to disasters. The instruction to avoid homes with Trump signs was in a best practices email to FEMA workers in the area. The employee was fired a couple weeks after the statement, yet she claims her actions were not out of line.

I joined 35 colleagues to ask the FEMA Administrator for all information regarding these communications and reiterate that FEMA should aid all Americans in need after a disaster, regardless of who they vote for.

BIG Idea

Federal regulations have slowed the development of energy projects in America. This week, I voted to pass the HEATS Act to expedite geothermal energy projects on non-federal lands. The bill removes the requirement to go through the burdensome federal permitting process that slows down project completion.

Energy prices are high, and we need a greater domestic energy supply to help bring down the cost. Congress and the incoming Trump Administration must remove federal regulations that are barriers to effective and efficient development.

BIG News

It was a big week for South Dakota’s leaders! President Trump’s selection of Governor Noem for the Department of Homeland Security is an excellent choice. Governor Noem works hard to protect our land from adversaries like China and protect our communities from the consequences of Biden’s border crisis.

Johnson and Noem

Senator Thune’s election to Senate Majority Leader is a demonstration of the Senate’s trust in him. I know he will work closely with President Trump and the House to deliver wins for America and South Dakota. I’m excited for my friends Kristi Noem and John Thune in their new roles.

Johnson and Thune

On Wednesday, President Trump joined House Republicans during a meeting to hear from leadership candidates. The President outlined his priorities like cutting regulations, unlocking American energy, securing the border, and pushing back against China. I’m excited to work with our leadership and get America on the right track.

President Trump at House GOP Conference

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Senator Mike Rounds WEEKLY ROUND[S] UP: November 11-15, 2024

Welcome back to another edition of the Weekly Round[s] Up. It’s been a while! The Senate has been out of session for the past six weeks, which means I was able to work from South Dakota. While my home is in Fort Pierre, I was able to make trips around the state to attend different meetings and visit with South Dakotans. Just to give you a snapshot of my month: I visited with a political science class at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, I spoke at a roundtable discussion hosted by students at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, I hosted a coffee and conversation with residents in Yankton, I spoke at a dinner hosted by the Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity in Rapid City, attended meetings with the Sioux Falls Rotary Club and Sioux Empire Realtors Association in Sioux Falls and celebrated our law enforcement at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner.

Now we’re back in Washington to hit the ground running after what’s been a huge week for Republicans both in South Dakota and across the nation. Once everyone is sworn into office in January, we will have Republican majorities in both the Senate and House, as well as President Trump and his new administration in the White House. In case you missed it, my seatmate and our fellow South Dakotan Senator John Thune is our next Senate Majority Leader. Take all of this together and we’re looking at the opportunity to accomplish a lot of priorities over the next couple of years. All of this and more coming up in my Weekly Round[s] Up:

Meetings this week: Luis Elizondo, former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program; and Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States. I spoke at a reception hosted by the UAP Disclosure Fund. I also attended a celebration for the 249th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Most of our time this week was spent on Senate Leadership Elections. As I mentioned, Senator Thune was elected as our next Senate Majority leader. I was honored to give the seconding speech for his nomination in our meeting. I believe Senator Thune is the right guy for this job and our conference agrees. John embodies the principles and leadership qualities that our nation needs at a critical time. With him leading us in the Senate, Speaker Johnson in the House and President Trump in the White House, Republicans are now positioned to spend at least the next two years getting our country back on track. I couldn’t be more excited for my friend John Thune. We’re ready to get to work!

Votes taken: 8 – all of these were on nominations to judge positions in Florida and Illinois, as well as positions on the U.S. Tax Court and in the Office of Government Ethics.

Hearings: I had one closed hearing with the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Classified briefings: I had one classified briefing with General Timothy Haugh, the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command.

My staff in South Dakota visited: Aberdeen, Brookings, Deadwood, Lead, Milesville, Philip, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Sturgis.

Steps taken this past week: 53,386 steps or 26.8 miles.

Video of the week: I had the opportunity to visit with Linsey Davis on ABC Prime Time following the Senate Leadership elections:

Brian Tande Selected as New President of South Dakota Mines

PIERRE, SD – The South Dakota Board of Regents is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Brian Tande as its next President of South Dakota Mines. Dr. Tande brings a wealth of experience in engineering education, research, and leadership to the position, positioning the Rapid City university for continued excellence and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

“Dr. Tande’s depth of experience in academic leadership and his dedication to fostering innovation and student achievement made him the ideal choice to lead South Dakota Mines into its next chapter,” said committee chairman Regent Jeff Partridge. “The comprehensive search process ensured we found an exceptional leader who aligns perfectly with the university’s mission and values. We are excited to welcome him to our community and look forward to the vision and energy he will bring to the institution.”

Dr. Tande currently serves as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Mines at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, a role he has held for the past five years. His time at UND is marked by numerous accomplishments, including expanding programs, fostering industry partnerships, and promoting student success.

Before becoming Dean, Dr. Tande held a variety of leadership and academic roles at UND, including Associate Dean, Department Chair, and Director of the Jodsaas Center for Engineering Leadership and Entrepreneurship. He also served as a tenured faculty member, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring students and advancing academic excellence. In addition, he served as Graduate Programs Director and Associate Professor at Kansas State University.

“I am incredibly honored to be able to serve as South Dakota Mines’ next President. While I have been familiar with its strong reputation for many years, the conversations I have had with students, faculty, staff, and alumni during this process have left no doubt that South Dakota Mines is truly a unique and special place,” said Dr. Tande. “I want to thank all who participated in this search and the Board of Regents for the trust they have placed in me. Along with my dedicated colleagues, I will be working very hard to maintain our strong student-centered culture, conduct impactful research, grow the economy of Rapid City and the Black Hills region, and serve the people of South Dakota.”

Dr. Tande will assume his new role on January 9, succeeding President Jim Rankin, who retired this past summer.

Cybersecurity Grant Program Position announced by Dakota State and Attorney General Marty Jackley

MADISON, S.D., Nov. 18, 2024 – Dakota State University and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announce the hiring of Mike Waldner as director of the newly established Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program.

This initiative, funded through Senate Bill 187, will enhance the cybersecurity infrastructure of South Dakota’s municipalities by providing secure email solutions, technical support, risk assessments, and specialized training to strengthen defenses of local governments against cyber threats.

Municipalities nationwide are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, and South Dakota’s communities are not immune to this trend. In 2023, the Center for Internet Security reported a 51% increase in ransomware incidents targeting state and local governments, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, under Senate Bill 187, was given oversight of this grant program, and Attorney General Jackley underscored the significance of this initiative.

“Cybersecurity is vital for the safety and security of our communities. We look forward to working with DSU and Mike Waldner to ensure that every municipality in our state has the resources it needs to defend against cyber threats. This program is an important step toward making South Dakota a model of cybersecurity for the nation,” Attorney General Jackley said.

DSU President José-Marie Griffiths highlighted the program’s importance, saying, “Dakota State University is at the forefront of cybersecurity education and research, and this grant program exemplifies our commitment to serving South Dakota. Mike’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in safeguarding our state’s public infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the positive difference he and the program will make.”

South Dakota District 8 Senator Casey Crabtree, who sponsored the legislation, added, “Strengthening our municipalities’ cybersecurity is crucial for the resilience of our state’s infrastructure. This program, led by the Attorney General’s Office and DSU, will provide essential resources and support to protect our communities from evolving cyber threats. It’s a significant advancement for South Dakota’s cybersecurity. Mike has a tremendous background in state government, I am confident he will lead this program well.”

Waldner has had pivotal leadership roles in many programs throughout the state, including the efforts to install the state’s first internet connection and create the state’s internet presence, the K-12 Data Center Project, FirstNet (law enforcement network), and ConnectSD broadband initiative. 

He began his new position on Nov. 18, and shared his commitment to the program’s mission.

 “It’s a privilege to be part of this initiative that will have a real impact on the security of South Dakota’s communities. I am honored to lead this effort and look forward to working with partners across the state to strengthen our cybersecurity posture,” Waldner said.

 The Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program is supported by an advisory council comprising experts from various sectors:

State Agencies

• Consumer Protection, Jody Gillaspie
• Secretary of State, Monae Johnson

Dakota State University

• Ashley Podhradsky, VP Research and Economic Development
• Arica Kulm, Director of Digital Forensics, Leader of Project Boundary Fence

Law Enforcement

• SD Sheriffs Association, Staci Ackerman
• Dave Ackerman, Sheriff

Counties and Municipalities

• South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, Eric Erickson
• Minnehaha County, Monte Watembach
• City of Pierre/Hughes County, Craig Waldron
• City of Sioux Falls, McKenzie Hermanson
• Executive Director, South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, Kris Jacobson
• Lawrence County, Greg Dias
• Brown County, Pat Wolberg
• South Dakota Municipal League, Sara Rankin
• South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, Jeremiah Corbin

Federal Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Jim Edman

Statewide Cybersecurity Industries

• SBS CyberSecurity, Chad Knutson
• Golden West, Eric Eisenbraun
• Servos, Pat Snow

This broad coalition will work closely with DSU to prioritize and address the cybersecurity needs of South Dakota’s communities, helping to build a safer digital landscape for all residents.

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