Author: Pat Powers

Rounds Supports Nomination of Randy Seiler to be U.S. Attorney for South Dakota 
WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) announced his support for President Obama’s decision to nominate Randy Seiler of Fort Pierre to be U.S. Attorney for South Dakota. Seiler, a longtime federal prosecutor, had been serving as acting U.S. attorney since March. His nomination will now head to the Senate for confirmation.

“Randy is a friend who has earned the respect and admiration of many South Dakotans,” said Rounds. “He has the experience, integrity and professionalism necessary to faithfully uphold the Constitution and protect South Dakotans. I applaud President Obama for nominating Randy to this post and look forward to his quick approval by the Senate.”

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After exchanging the worlds biggest airport rental vehicle for a slightly smaller cousin from inside the town (who would have thought Boston in the fall would be this crazy?) we’re in the Union Oyster House where my wife is getting her oyster fix.
  
I’m still searching out my Irish Pub, which is where we’ll be next.

Aaand we managed to land at the Black Rose (Roisin Dubh) for dinner. So darned good!

Rounds: Senate Democrats Continue to Block Appropriations Process

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today expressed his disappointment that Senate Democrats blocked another appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016. H.R. 2028, the Energy and Water appropriations bill, was filibustered on the Senate floor today despite receiving overwhelming bipartisan support when it passed the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this year.

“Senate Democrats continue denying us the opportunity to debate these bills on their merits,” said Rounds. “These tactics, if continued, put us in a position where we will be faced with another government shutdown just before the holidays. We only have until December 11th to pass appropriations bills, so it is important we take them up in a timely manner. The appropriations process is an important duty of Congress. It allows us to enact meaningful reform and prioritize federal programs. Many of these bills have passed with broad, bipartisan support in committee. Unfortunately, Democrats have refused to even debate the appropriations bills on the floor of the Senate. Since they are not allowing debate on appropriations bills we cannot accept amendments to find common ground. Stopping the appropriations process in this manner, and refusing to negotiate on the individual bills, is apparently intended to obtain a continuing resolution based on last year’s funding bills in which Democrat’s policies would be sustained.”

The Energy and Water appropriations bill is one of 12 appropriations bills to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2016.

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Do you have a right to complain if you don’t bother to show up?

At the same time the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is trying to complain to the PUC that the Dakota Access pipeline construction hasn’t completed a cultural resources survey along the pipeline route, they’re forced to admit that they refused to respond to multiple attempts to get their input on a cultural resource survey:

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe didn’t work with Dakota Access when the company conducted a cultural resources survey along the route proposed for its oil pipeline, the tribe’s historic preservation officer testified Wednesday.

The officer said the tribe expected to go through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but that didn’t occur.

A company lawyer’s cross-examination of the officer showed the company’s consultant had made attempts to reach the tribe by letter and email.

The officer, Waste’ Win Young, told the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission that the tribal government considers the process incomplete.

Read it all here.

If they refuse to participate on the front end, their comments shouldn’t be given much weight on the tail.

Thune Urges President to Abandon Veto Threat on Nation’s Troops
“The president must immediately abandon his radically irresponsible veto threat on this historically bipartisan bill.”  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan basis:

“As conflict spreads throughout the Middle East, we need a military that is strong, ready, and well-equipped. The bipartisan defense bill the Senate passed today is critical to preserving our military’s technological edge and redirecting funds from the bloated Pentagon bureaucracy to focus precious defense dollars on our troops. The president must immediately abandon his radically irresponsible veto threat on this historically bipartisan bill. Congressional Democrats must also have the courage to stand up for our military men and women and override any veto the president may unwisely issue.”

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Thune, Casey Reintroduce Bill to Encourage Volunteer Opportunities
at Community Health Centers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today reintroduced the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, legislation to remove barriers currently preventing health care professionals from volunteering their services at cost-effective, high-quality primary and preventative health care facilities, known as Community Health Centers (CHCs). The Family Health Care Accessibility Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) medical malpractice coverage to all qualified health care professionals who volunteer at CHCs.

“Millions of Americans rely on Community Health Centers to provide crucial medical care to underserved areas,” said Thune. “It’s especially true in states like South Dakota where patients – many who live in rural communities – must travel great distances for routine care. Our bill breaks down some of the barriers faced by medical professionals, including the excessive cost of medical malpractice coverage, which will make it easier for them to donate their time and services to these underserved areas. Doing so may increase access for some 60 million Americans who depend on these Community Health Centers for care.”

“Community Health Centers play a vital role in ensuring some of our most vulnerable citizens have access to care,” said Casey. “This bill will help remove barriers that physicians and other health care providers currently face when volunteering their time and services at Community Health Centers around their neighborhoods and cities.”

Currently, CHC employees, contractors, and board members receive medical malpractice coverage through the FTCA, but doctors, dentists, and other health care professionals seeking to volunteer their services at CHCs are required to provide their own medical malpractice coverage, which is extremely costly.

Thune and Casey’s bill would be paid for with existing funds under the health centers’ annual appropriations through the Department of Health and Human Services and would not require additional funding.

The Family Health Care Accessibility Act passed with overwhelming support (417-1) in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 112th Congress.

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I see by the comment section under some of the posts that you’re all awake and bickering this fine morning!

Try to keep it somewhat civil while I’m off the air – I’m winging my way to Boston, the cradle of liberty. It’s my intent to enjoy the city’s history, it’s epicurean offerings, and to take a couple of rare days away from my desk.

Mark Winegar of Vermillion apparently announced this past weekend that it is his intention to run as a Democrat for the South Dakota legislature. 

He might be off and running for office, but a letter to the editor in today’s Argus Leader gives us a hint as to who he intends to represent if he wins. Not the citizens of his district, but the labor unions he demands dues for, whether people want to pay them or not:

The premise of the venomous Right to Work legislation is the mistaken notion that it is unfair to require a worker to join a labor union where one is present. However, non-union workers in a union shop benefit from the collective bargaining paid for by the membership dues of his/her co-workers.

Something for nothing is a seductive proposition, but there is a catch. Unions weaken as one after another worker takes advantage of free-loading. Eventually, the union is either nonexistent or too weak to negotiate.

And…

Unions have a legal obligation to fully represent all assigned bargaining unit employees, members and non-members alike. But with Fair Share, non-members pay a fair share fee in the amount of no more than regular union dues. This fair fee covers the cost of bargaining, implementing, and enforcing the contract. Fee payers are non-members so they cannot hold office in the union, but they share in the expense and benefits of collective bargaining.

Read it all here.

“the venomous Right to Work legislation..” “the mistaken notion that it is unfair to require a worker to join a labor union where one is present.” And “Fee payers are non-members so they cannot hold office in the union.”

“The venomous…?” How far off in leftist field IS this guy? How is it a mistaken notion to require someone to pay for something they do not want?  And the best part is that he wants to mandate that people pay for that thing they do not want, at full price, with no voice.
That’s not citizen or constituent representation. That’s lobbying for labor unions, and open disdain for anyone who disagrees.

And the voters in his district should take great heed.

State To Honor Gov. Miller At Capitol Memorial Service Tomorrow

PIERRE, S.D. – A memorial service for former Gov. Walter Dale Miller will be held at 1 p.m. CDT Monday in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building.

Public viewing will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Those wishing to pay their respects may enter the Capitol Building via the north doors (parking lot side).

Access to the second-floor Rotunda will be closed at 11 a.m. to allow time to set up for the memorial ceremony. Access will begin at 12:30 p.m. for the ceremony, again via the north doors.

Those unable to attend may watch the memorial ceremony live on SDPB 2 or Oahe TV.

There will be a funeral procession leaving View 34 restaurant at 5:30 p.m. CDT tomorrow traveling west on Highway 34 to Rapid City. The public is welcome to pay their respects to Walter Dale Miller along the route.

Former Gov. Miller’s funeral service has been set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. MDT at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Rd., Rapid City. Burial will follow at Viewfield Cemetery, near Miller’s Meade County ranch.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has requested that all flags in the state be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The flag is customarily displayed from sunrise to sunset, but may be displayed for 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

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Gov. Miller To Lie in State in Capitol

PIERRE, S.D. – Plans are pending for former Gov. Walter Dale Miller to lie in state at the Rotunda of the Capitol Building on Monday morning, Oct. 5, with a memorial service to follow. 

Public viewing will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT on Monday. The memorial ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. More details will be released later this week.

Arrangements for Gov. Miller’s funeral in Rapid City are still pending.

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