Rumors on District 5 House Candidates

I’m hearing rumors this morning that District 5 will have 2 new House candidates this coming election year. A source tells me that Byron Callies (former State Rep Melissa Magstadt’s father) and Hugh Bartles will both be throwing their hats in the ring.

With Roger Solum ineligible for another term, that leaves current State Rep Lee Schoenbeck facing a primary, unless Reid Holien plans to step down early (which I’ve heard nothing about), opening up that seat.

Keep those candidate rumors coming! You can e-mail me here.

Thoughts on Paris attacks.

Did radical Islamic terrorists shock the world to action last night?

Eight ISIS terrorists wielding AK-47s and wearing suicide belts carried out coordinated attacks at six sites around Paris Friday night, killing at least 127 people and wounding at least 180 others, France’s president said Saturday.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack and a Syrian passport was found on the body of suicide bomber at the Paris stadium. French authorities are investigating the attacks and urging any witnesses to come forward. 

Speaking after an emergency security meeting to plan his government’s response, Francois Hollande declared three days of national mourning and raised France’s security to its highest level. He described Friday’s attacks, which produced the worst bloodshed in Paris since World War II, as an “act of war.” Hollande said ISIS was “a terrorist army … a jihadist army, against France, against the values that we defend everywhere in the world, against what we are: A free country that means something to the whole planet.”

Read it here.

What are your thoughts? Does this change the game, and has if forced the world to deal with the threat of radical Islamic terrorists more seriously and aggressively?

Silly question, but what about the guy in charge of it all?

I was reading the latest article on the GEAR UP grant kerfuffle, and something struck me as odd, and a question that no one seems to be asking as they try to blame state government and gin up controversy.  No one seems to be talking much to Dan Guericke, the Superintendent of the District/COOP.  Wasn’t he the guy in charge?

If people were double dipping and acting as their own subcontractors under the grant, would he have not been the person in charge of making sure that didn’t happen?

If the state went to the Mid Central Educational Cooperative and said “good lord, your records on this grant are such a mess, we have to step in and fix it,” why are we not hearing about what action he and the board of the organization took to remedy the problem once it was identified early on, and what the remedies they tried?   Why did they let it get so bad?

What we ARE hearing about, is how the coop immediately canceled the phone for the employee who committed suicide, and allegedly murdered his family, and how if they find something in their safe deposit box, they’ll pass it on to the AG.

Silly question, but that seems to be the place where many of these questions should start.

Attorney General’s Response to Legislative Minority Leaders’ Statement on Gear-Up Program

jackley-logo Marty JackleyAttorney General’s Response to Legislative Minority Leaders’ Statement on Gear-Up Program

PIERRE, S.D. – The Attorney General’s Office offers this response to the State Senate and House Minority Leaders request for a statement from the Attorney General on the State Gear-up Program.

“The Attorney General has assembled a team of State, Federal and Local investigators to review potential criminal law concerns associated with the Gear-Up Program. While I have placed priority on the investigation, I intend to give investigators time to conduct a thorough investigation without making disclosures that could either compromise the investigation or violate state law. As the Attorney General has demonstrated from the recent recovery of the State flag to previously authorizing the grand jury indictment on the EB-5 matter, it will address any state criminal law violations arising from the Gear-up Program, however, I respect that other governmental bodies have the authority and decision making over spending in legislative programs,” said Jackley.

During the 2007 legislative session, the State Legislature approved significant increases in the State budget for the Gear-Up Program and with the support of both Minority Leaders authorized continued appropriations for the Gear-Up Program (2011- HB1251, Sutton yea, Joint Appropriations Committee; 2012 -HB197, Sutton yea, Joint Appropriations Committee; 2013-HB1185, Hawley yea, Sutton yea; 2014-HB187, Sutton yea; 2015-HB1208, Hawley yea, Sutton yea).

As part of the legislative oversight, the Office of Legislative Audit conducted an Audit for fiscal year ending June 30th, 2014. At no time during the process did any individual or entity bring concerns of potential state criminal law violations to the Attorney General. Then on September 17th, 2015, the Attorney General was advised of a tragic fire in Platte and responded within the hour. The Attorney General has completed and released its investigation findings into the tragic deaths, with the assistance of other State and Local law enforcement officials. The Attorney General along with other State, Federal and Local investigators will review the financial concerns associated with the Gear-Up and other related programs.

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US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column: Keeping America’s Trains Moving

thuneheadernew John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressKeeping America’s Trains Moving
By Sen. John Thune

With limited options to efficiently ship materials such as fertilizer, ethanol, or corn and soybeans, railroads play an absolutely critical link to South Dakota’s agricultural sector. Thankfully, now that legislation averting an end-of-year railroad service shutdown has been signed into law, farmers, ranchers, businesses, shippers, and municipalities can breathe a sigh of relief. For lawmakers, regulators, and railroads, there is still much work to be done in order to fully implement positive train control (PTC) technology that will make passenger and freight railroads even safer in the coming years.

PTC technology can prevent certain accidents that involve train-on-train collisions and excessive speeds that are caused by operator error. With a new, more achievable deadline, full implementation of this complex rail safety technology will keep the pressure on each freight and passenger railroad to finish the job.

As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over railroads, I worked with my colleagues in the House and Senate to forge this agreement based on bipartisan legislation that I authored and the Senate passed this summer. Had Congress failed to extend the PTC deadline, customers who depend on railroads would have been hit the hardest. This is especially true in agricultural states like ours that are so dependent on safe and efficient modes of transportation like rail.

In recent weeks, many railroads were preparing to deny traffic because they had no choice due to conflicting federal safety requirements. Just imagine what farmers and grain elevators across the state would have done if they couldn’t move any of their corn, wheat, soybeans, or ethanol because of a rail service shutdown.

Although widespread use of PTC on 20,000 locomotives covering over 60,000 miles of rail track has not yet been achieved, railroads are making progress in finishing a system that can change a rail accident into a prevented incident. Even with the economic disaster of a railroad shutdown averted, we must not lose sight of finishing full implementation as soon as possible. I am confident the legislation that the House and Senate passed by voice vote will provide the U.S. Department of Transportation with the necessary oversight and transparency so the public and Congress can ensure that these important safety improvements are made.

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US Senator Rounds’ Weekly Column: Saying ‘Thank You’ to our Veterans

RoundsPressHeader MikeRounds official SenateSaying ‘Thank You’ to our Veterans
By Senator Mike Rounds

Veterans Day is a special time to thank the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America, past and present, and acknowledge those who have sacrificed everything to protect our God-given freedoms. We are eternally grateful to them for not only keeping us safe here at home, but also for granting freedom and democracy to millions of people across the world. Every freedom we have – our entire way of life – is because of our veterans and their loved ones back home who supported them.

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, providing our veterans with quality care and support is a top priority of mine. I continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find ways to improve services within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make certain our veterans are properly cared for. Earlier this year, the Senate passed the Clay Hunt SAV Act, which I supported. The bill makes sure certain returning vets have access to quality mental health care to prevent suicide upon their return to civilian life. This bill was signed into law by President Obama and I was honored to attend the signing ceremony.

More recently, I cosponsored a bipartisan, bicameral bill to make it easy for veterans to get medical advice from a VA doctor via teleconference, so they won’t have to travel miles from home to visit a VA facility. I’ve also signed onto legislation to honor as veterans National Guard and Reserve retirees who served honorably for 20 years but do not qualify as veterans under existing law, as well as a number of bills aimed at reforming the VA and improving the Veterans Choice Program. Additionally, I worked with my Senate colleagues and the Department of Defense (DoD) to create a position for a Gold Star Advocate at DoD to assist families of fallen service men and women, as well as provide support to other Gold Star Advocates within the departments of the military.

While there is no doubt more must be done to change and reform the VA, this year the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee has made great strides in working to change and improve the quality of care they deliver. Our veterans have sacrificed everything on our behalf; providing them with adequate care is the least we can do.

When honoring our veterans, it’s also important to recognize and thank the families of those deployed. While their loved ones are far away fighting for our freedoms, those back home also make great sacrifices that often go unnoticed. When a loved one is gone, it places an extra burden on all family members. If something goes wrong, there is one less person to help fix it. When something wonderful happens, that person isn’t there to share in the joy. The strength of our military families continues to be an inspiration. I am extremely grateful for their selflessness and perseverance.

Every day, but especially on Veterans Day, I thank all of the men and women who have served in the military and who bravely continue to protect our freedoms. On behalf of all South Dakotans, I offer my deepest gratitude for their service. May God continue to bless all our service men and women, their families and their loved ones.

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Congresswoman Noem’s Weekly Column: Serving Those Who Have Served

noem press header kristi noem headshot May 21 2014Serving Those Who Have Served
By Rep. Kristi Noem

We have a fundamental responsibility to care for America’s veterans, but time and again, our efforts have fallen short.  Recent years, in particular, have seen repeated instances of misunderstanding, mismanagement, and mistreatment when it comes to supporting our veteran community.  Veteran suicides, for instance, occur at an average of about 22 per day.  Tens of thousands remain homeless.  In some areas, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has systematically ignored the urgent medical needs of our veterans.

And in South Dakota, we are caught in a years-long fight to keep the doors open at a Hot Springs VA hospital that veterans want and need.  This is a facility that has served veterans for more than 100 years.  Its position in the Black Hills provides a level of serenity that aids in the healing process – especially for those facing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, and similar illnesses.  Those who receive care there have lobbied hard to make sure it stays open, as has the community.  Despite all this, the VA has incrementally depleted the number of services offered in Hot Springs and pushed forward a plan to close the facility altogether.  This is not what our veterans want, nor what they deserve.

In late October, the VA released its draft environmental impact statement regarding the closure of the Hot Springs hospital.  This is one of the final steps when looking to close a VA facility.  The findings once again highlighted the dramatic impact a closure would have.  The public now has at least 60 days to review and comment on the report before VA Secretary Robert McDonald issues a final decision.  I’ve urged everyone who will be impacted to take part in this process.

George Washington said after the Revolutionary War had concluded that “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war … shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.”  Closing the hospital in Hot Springs – even reducing its services as the VA is already in the process of doing – does not leave a positive perception.

I’ve been focused on writing and supporting legislation that better serves our state’s veterans and their families.  This includes provisions to stop the VA from closing the Hot Springs hospital as well as legislation to make it easier to fire VA employees who are failing to serve our veterans with integrity, efforts to improve mental health services for veterans, and bills to increase post-service job training.

There is a role each of us can play in our communities too.  This Veterans Day, I encourage you to touch the life of someone who has served.  Bring them and their family a meal.  Volunteer at one of the many veterans-centered charities in South Dakota – whether that’s your local VFW, the American Legion, or another one.  Attend a Veterans Day service.  Or just tell them thank you.  These women and men have put on our nation’s uniform and stepped into danger for the sake of our country and the values we stand for.  It’s our responsibility to serve them when they return.

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Governor Daugaard’s Weekly Column: Driving Safely This Holiday Season

daugaardheader DaugaardDriving Safely This Holiday Season
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

It won’t be long before South Dakotans will be hitting the road to visit family and friends for the holiday season. Traveling to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with loved ones is well worth it, but holiday driving can turn tragic when impaired drivers take to the road.

Despite positive trends over the last few decades, we must still do more to stop drunk driving. Last year, 47 people died in alcohol-related accidents. That’s why we have stepped up our efforts to improve road safety and battle impaired driving.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has increased its number of DUI checkpoints and patrols, resulting in 416 scheduled enforcement actions in 2014. The Highway Patrol is utilizing crash data to determine the most effective dates, times and locations for carrying out these efforts.

The Highway Patrol is also partnering with local law enforcement to conduct those checkpoints, to initiate joint media efforts for increased awareness and to provide officers with special training in advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement.

For repeat DUI offenders, we’ve learned that prison is not always the best way to improve safety. Under the Public Safety Improvement Act, we have increased penalties while simultaneously improving supervision and enhancing community-based treatment efforts.

A key piece of this effort is DUI and Drug courts. Since I took office, we have increased the capacity of these courts by 500 percent. These programs have been utilized around the country to hold offenders accountable through intensive community supervision, while also providing tools to address the root causes of impaired driving – alcoholism and substance abuse. Instead of being incarcerated at great expense, participants are supervised in their communities where they can continue to support their families.

It’s still early and we have yet to see the full impact of this expansion. Right now, the DUI court program currently has an 86 percent rate of retention. We are hopeful this model will lead to fewer DUI offenders who reoffend.

We are also continuing our efforts in the 24/7 program, which helps DUI offenders stay sober 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those who complete the 24/7 program are only about half as likely to reoffend within three years. South Dakota has been a national leader in this program, and our successful model has been replicated across the country.

These are just a few ways we are striving to reduce the number of DUI offenders. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help.

As you travel this fall, remember to buckle up, slow down and take the keys from those unfit to drive. Be safe and have a great holiday season.

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South Dakota on the silver screen again.

I got a laugh as I sat down to watch the new “Vacation” movie, as the opening image on the movie was Mt Rushmore, followed by a vintage photo of a family in a photo by a sign declaring “Welcome to South Dakota – William J Janklow, Governor.” 

The opening montage also had pictures of the Corn Palace, and Dinosaur Park in Rapid City.

I’m not sure if it was a good sign that the other photos were of other traditional vacation photos mixed with photos of vacation mishaps.

KELO: Flandreau Santee Tribe burning entire pot crop.

This is interesting. It sounds like the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe might be backing down, and abandoning their pot plans:

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is burning millions of dollars worth of marijuana intended to be sold in the nation’s first pot smoking lounge on tribal land, KELOLAND News has confirmed.

A source tells KELOLAND News that the decision was made because the tribe didn’t want to deal with the ongoing controversy with the federal government. Instead, they want to sell marijuana the right way and the safest way possible.

and…

Moody County State’s Attorney Paul Lewis says stepping onto tribal land does not provide you with a magic fence that protects you from prosecution if you have ingested marijuana and later stopped by police.

Attorney General Marty Jackley backs up that statement, saying it is illegal for non-tribal members to use or possess marijuana anywhere in the state of South Dakota.

Read it here.

That’s good news.  And as area pot users quickly try to find where down wind is, watch KELO for more on the story as it develops.