Category: Uncategorized

Good News for Ethanol
By Governor Kristi Noem

For years, I’ve been working to advance ethanol to benefit South Dakota farmers. Our state ranks sixth in the nation for ethanol production capacity, and we produce more than 1 billion gallons of ethanol annually. Not only does biofuel production help our farmers, but it also supports additional job creation in South Dakota. We have ethanol jobs ranging from truck drivers to PhD microbiologists. I have several pieces of good news to share regarding progress we’ve made on ethanol.

The EPA recently reiterated its commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS.) The RFS is crucial to ensure that there is a market for our farmers to sell their corn for ethanol production. President Trump also recently announced that E15 blends will be more widely available across the country. These are but the latest bits of progress for our crucial ethanol industry.

As Chair of the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition, I’ve urged the Trump administration to drop restrictions on the ethanol industry, and we’ve already made progress on these goals. The Trump administration approved the use of E15 year-round. We also persuaded President Trump to reject a movement that would have waived portions of the RFS for small petroleum refineries. It’s been tough work, but it’s worth it to help South Dakota farmers.

We’ve been working diligently to convert our state’s fleet vehicles to be flex-fuel compatible, and 76% of our fleet now has such capabilities. We’re already dispensing E30 ethanol for state vehicles at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, and the SDSU campus. By the end of November, we’ll have added sites in Aberdeen, Chamberlain, Yankton, Huron, and Webster, with four additional sites across the state in the works for next year. State government is leading by example, and it is my sincere hope that South Dakota’s businesses and citizens emulate this support for our ethanol industry.

As COVID-19 swept across the country, I issued an executive order to provide regulatory relief for ethanol facilities, and I instructed our state department of Environment and Natural Resources to help ethanol producers adjust their operations while still meeting federal requirements. I also joined fellow governors to ask United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to use CARES Act dollars to assist our biofuel industry. Secretary Perdue has taken that message to heart, pushing Congress to provide funding for ethanol in future relief packages.

The Obama administration paid lip service to ethanol, but President Trump is actually following through on his promises to farmers. His administration is taking the necessary steps to promote biofuels and expand ethanol production. Frankly, it takes leadership from the top, and I want to thank President Trump for continuing to fight for agriculture. There is still more work to accomplish, but I’m confident that we can build on the progress that we’ve already made and get it done.

###

Lots of stuff out there hitting mail boxes in the last couple of days.

Jon Hansen has a piece out for his re-election..

As do the Republicans in District 11..

 

State Senator Blake Curd is talking to people about his re-election:

 

And it looks like voters in District 9 are reminded of State Rep. Michael Saba’s sponsorship of the Anti-vaxxer measure, House Bill 1235, in a huge 6×11 mailer.

Flags Flown Half-Staff Statewide to Honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sundown from Saturday, September 19, 2020, until the time of her interment, which will be announced at a later date.

“Bryon and I are keeping Justice Ginsburg’s family and friends in our prayers during this difficult time,” said Governor Kristi Noem.

WHAT: Gov. Noem orders that flags be flown at half-staff statewide in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

WHEN: From sunrise until sundown from Saturday, September 19, 2020, until the time of her interment, which will be announced at a later date.

###

The SDGOP is offering a large piece of 2020 Campaign memorabilia to people who donate at least $50 to the State Republican Party.

While local state party organizations have not been big on issuing campaign material in recent years, this election, the SDGOP is on the bandwagon, and has 3×5 (as in 3×5 foot) “Trump 2020 Keep South Dakota Great” flags available with a $50 donation to the party.

You can get yours by making a donation via clicking on this link.

 

Bikers for Trump/SDGOP are hosting a Freedom Ride this weekend. Interested in riding?  All you have to do is to show up at Beal Distributing on the 20th at 11AM:

The Rapid City Journal has more details – with some of them a bit salacious – on the arrest of former State Senator Lynne Disanto for falsely accusing her husband of attacking her:

Officer Heather Monson and a detective conducted a second interview with Mark on Jan. 8, according to a report she wrote the next day.

Mark said Lyndi hit him when they were dating but neither of them were violent toward each other during their seven years of marriage.

This time he told the officer and detective a different story about the hole in the door. Mark said he hit his own head against the door after becoming frustrated over Lyndi being unfaithful.

and..

Mark also said that Lyndi stole his dog, Buster, when she came over on Jan. 7.

Read all the details here in the Rapid City Journal.

Good gosh. The accusations are that she was out to get him.

…And apparently she was out to get his little dog too.

From Dakota News now, former State Senator Lynne DiSanto has been charged with making false police reports against her ex-husband, Mark DiSanto, claiming he assaulted her when the investigation revealed neither one was home:

DiSanto, who also goes by the names Lyndi DiSanto and Lynne Hix-DiSanto, was read her charges from the state by Magistrate Judge Todd Hyronimus on Thursday. Robert Pasqualucci, her attorney, did not appear in court during her first hearing.

and..

Upon Swan’s arrival, Lynne requested she privately speak with Swan to explain the situation. The officer’s account states the following: Lynne reported her husband had assaulted her the previous night while trying to reclaim some belongings left at his residence amid a divorce between the two. She told the officer that Mark had choked her, then punched a hole in the upstairs bedroom door. She claims his demeanor was “super aggressive” and that she later spent the night at a friend’s house.

Lynne also alleged in the police interview Mark had assaulted her an unknown in the past, but did not report it because of his position as an official. Lynne further claimed that her husband made death threats to her, saying Mark could “take her out on a hill, shoot her and no one would know he did it.”

Go read this story now at Dakota News Now.

And it looks like they have the false report on body camera, as she’s making these claims in the midst of a contentious divorce.

This story is just starting to blow up.

The Pierre Capital Journal is reporting that Governor Kristi Noem is appearing as the featured speaker at a Republican Dinner in New Hampshire next month:

Here is how WMUR reporter John DiStaso introduces Noem in his piece: “South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, viewed as a rising star in the national GOP and a possible 2024 presidential contender, plans to visit New Hampshire Oct. 15 as the featured speaker at a state Republican Party fundraiser, a party source told WMUR.”

US Senator Mike Rounds is racking up endorsements this AM. After noting his support from the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List earlier, Rounds has posted on facebook his NRA endorsement, showing his A+ rating from the organization, while Dan Ahlers comes off with a D rating.

In 2016 and 2019, Ahlers had received D- ratings for his performance in the State Legislature, which means that things might be slightly moving up for him..

Rounds Receives Top Rating from Pro-Life Group

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) received an “A” Rating from the pro-life organization the Susan B. Anthony List for consistently voting to protect the lives of unborn babies as well as the consciences of taxpayers who don’t want their hard-earned tax dollars paying for abortions domestically or internationally.

“Every life is a precious gift from God,” said Rounds. “The sanctity of human life is something we should all seek to protect. I’ll continue working in the Senate on policies that are pro-family and pro-life. I thank the Susan B. Anthony List for all they do to protect the lives of unborn children.”

To read more about Rounds’ “A” rating or the Susan B. Anthony List, click HERE.

###