Category: Uncategorized

Stolen from facebook, Senator Thune became a grandparent yesterday. Congratulations to the entire family.

Marsy’s Law Launches First TV Ad in South Dakota

“One Day” Asks Voters for Yes on S

(Pierre, SD)—Today Marsy’s Law for South Dakota launched a new television ad that will run statewide starting today and will run in rotation with additional Marsy’s Law ads to be announced in the near future. The ad, called “One Day,” is a significant ad buy which asks voters to support Amendment S, also known as Marsy’s Law for South Dakota. 

Amendment S would provide South Dakota crime victims with the equal constitutional rights that are already afforded to the accused and convicted.

View ad here: https://youtu.be/0e0yMTH5Lks

“South Dakota has some of the weakest laws in the nation for crime victims and we are one of the last remaining states that has not yet passed constitutional rights for crime victims,” said Jason Glodt, State Director for Marsy’s Law and former Assistant Attorney General. “All crime victims deserve the right to be notified about hearings in the judicial process and to be present and heard at those hearings. Victims also deserve a constitutional right to be notified when offenders are released from bail or prison.”

Recent polling shows strong support for Amendment S by voters in South Dakota. The poll, conducted in July, showed voters approved expanding rights for crime victims by an overwhelming 74%-18% margin. The poll also shows that when voters are given more information about the amendment, support climbs to 84%-12%.

Marsy’s Law for South Dakota is a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights that is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Ann Nicholas. Marsy was a beautiful, vibrant college student who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only a week after Marsy was murdered, her mother Marcella and her brother Nick walked into a grocery store after visiting her daughter’s grave and were confronted by the accused murderer. They had no idea that he had been released on bail.
For more information, visit www.equalrightsfordouthdakota.com

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Noem Opens Up About Her Time In Agriculture

“The work ethic is something I’m very proud of.”

Today is American Business Women’s Day, when we commemorate and recognize the contributions of women business leaders, small business owners, and working women across America. Rep. Kristi Noem spoke about her experiences as a woman in business, managing her family’s farm and ranch operation. 

“One of the reasons I grew up to be a strong woman was because my dad never doubted that I could do anything the boys could do,” says Noem. After losing her father in a farming accident, she left college and returned home to take on new responsibilities. Watch her talk about how that experience made her the person she is today.

Senator Mike Rounds Announces Opposition to Amendment V 

Pierre, SD – September 22, 2016 – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds opposes Constitutional Amendment V as an out-of-state effort to hide information from South Dakota’s voters.

“South Dakota’s Constitution gives voters the right to know a candidate’s party on the ballot.  Amendment V would strip voters of that right and instead allow candidates to hide information from voters.  Voters deserve more,” said Senator Rounds. 

Amendment V alters South Dakota’s constitution by merging the Democratic and Republican primaries into one primary and cuts off direct general election ballot access for Independent candidates.  This is similar to the system in place in California.  Amendment V also hides candidate party labels on the general election and primary election ballots.

“South Dakotans deserve to know that Amendment V is using 76% out-of-state money to put California’s merged primary system into our Constitution.  South Dakota works.  We should be proud of our state.  We shouldn’t be looking to California for ideas on how our state should be run,” Rounds added. 

The South Dakota Farm Bureau and the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives also officially opposed the measure. 

“South Dakotans across the state are starting to see Amendment V for what it is: an out-of-state effort to hide the ball from voters.  We are very thankful to have Senator Rounds join the fight to preserve South Dakota’s way of doing things.” said Will Mortenson, Chairman of South Dakotans Against Amendment V.

The Chairman of the pro-Amendment V ballot committee is a Democratic party boss and former statewide partisan candidate.  South Dakotans Against Amendment V is an ad hoc effort consisting of agriculture groups, college students, Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.

South Dakotans should vote NO on Amendment V in November.  Voters can visitwww.VoteNoOnV.com to find more information.

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Noem’s IHS Reform Bill Receives
Ways and Means Committee Approval 

WASHINGTON, DC – With recruitment of quality medical staff being one of the top challenges within Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities in South Dakota, the House Ways and Means Committee today unanimously approved provisions introduced by Rep. Noem to offer tax-free student loan repayment for IHS medical staff.  The provisions are part of Noem’s HEALTTH Act, which aims to fundamentally reform the IHS.  Because of the comprehensive nature of Noem’s HEALTTH Act, the legislation must next receive approval from the House Natural Resources and Energy & Commerce committees. 

“The kind of care being delivered by the IHS puts lives in jeopardy,” said Noem.
“One of the many hurdles we face is the recruitment of competent medical staff. The HEALTTH Act provision approved today offers a new, more competitive, incentive to help recruit the kind of workforce needed to improve the quality of care.  I thank Chairman Brady and the committee for making this step forward.”

“A healthcare system is only as good as the staff that supports it,” said Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady.  “I appreciate Rep. Noem’s effort to recruit more clinicians to deliver care in tribal communities, and thank her for bringing a targeted solution to the Ways and Means Committee that will help enhance efficiency, staff recruitment resources, and accountability for the communities IHS serves.”

Currently, IHS medical staff may participate in a student loan repayment program; however, participants must pay taxes on the repayment amounts, reducing the program’s benefit.  Under the provision approved by Ways and Means today, the student loan repayments would be offered tax free, increasing the value of this incentive.  If enacted, IHS would be on a level playing field with programs like the National Health Service Corps, which provides care to underserved areas and already receives student loan repayment tax free. 

WATCH as Rep. Noem discusses the legislation at today’s committee hearing.  Additionally, Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) explains his support for the legislation.

In addition to the provisions reviewed by the Ways and Means Committee today, Noem’s HEALTTH Act:

+ Gives tribes a seat at the table to encourage better, longer-term contracts by allowing for a partnership among IHS, tribal communities and healthcare stakeholders to collaborate throughout the contract negotiating process, rather than leaving those decisions solely to IHS.

+ Addresses the current recruitment problem – for both medical staff and hospital leadership – by putting provisions in place to:
· Allow for faster hiring.
· Make the existing student loan repayment program tax free, as an added incentive for high-quality employees.
· Provide incentives to attract competent and well-trained hospital administrators as well as medical staff.

+ Reforms the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) Program by, among other things:
· Requiring IHS to develop a new formula for allocating PRC dollars. Under Noem’s bill, IHS would be required to develop a formula based on need, population size, and health status to ensure those areas that have the greatest need receive a greater portion of the funding.
· Requiring IHS to negotiate Medicare-like rates for services it pays for with private providers. IHS currently pays a premium for PRC services. Noem’s proposal would bring payments in line with what Medicare pays to stretch every dollar further.
· Requiring IHS to address the backlog of PRC payments to private providers. Private hospitals in the Great Plains Area have long expressed concern because IHS has failed to pay their bills. Noem would require IHS to put a strategy in place to get these hospitals paid what they are due.

+ Restores accountability through strategies, such as:
· Require IHS to be accountable for providing timely care.
· Require the Government Accountability Office to report on the financial stability of IHS hospitals that are threatened with sanction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The legislation has been endorsed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the National Indian Health Board, Avera, Rapid City Regional Health, Sanford Health, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, the South Dakota State Medical Association, the South Dakota Dental Association and others.

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I just accepted Distinguished Legislator 2016 from SDAHO! Thank you – what an honor! @SDAHO @SanfordHealth pic.twitter.com/0KjpBfmnBg

— Sen Deb Peters (@DebPetersForSD) September 21, 2016

Thune Amendment to Aid Community Banks Clears Finance Committee
Bipartisan Provision Would Streamline Process to Help Community Banks Become S Corporations

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the Finance Committee’s approval of his provision that would make it easier for community banks to become S corporations by allowing S corporation bank shares to be held in individual retirement accounts (IRAs). In 2004, legislation was enacted making it easier for existing community banks to utilize the option of converting to an S corporation. Thune’s amendment, which was included in the bipartisan Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2016 markup, would provide additional community banks the option to convert to an S corporation and would grant S corporation bank shareholders the ability to use IRA funds to purchase additional shares.   

“S corporations are one of the most popular forms of businesses in the United States and play an important role in South Dakota’s economy,” said Thune. “Similarly, community banks – many of which are organized as S corporations – provide an invaluable source of financing to small businesses throughout South Dakota and our nation. While the federal tax code is large and complicated, I’m always glad when we can find common-sense, bipartisan reforms like this one that would streamline the process, and in this case, help banks continue to serve their communities.”

The Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota (ICBSD) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) have expressed their support for the Thune amendment:

“Access to capital is particularly important as community banks are facing regulator demands for higher capital levels under the Basel III Capital Accords and other regulations,” said Greg McCurry, president and CEO of ICBSD. “Community banks have limited means of raising capital. This amendment would allow funds held in IRAs to be used to help meet the challenges of the current capital regulatory environment. The ultimate beneficiary of these changes will be the South Dakota customers and the 35 different communities served by S corporation community banks.”

“ICBA strongly supported this amendment as a stand-alone bill, the S Corporation Modernization Act of 2016 (S. 3181), and is very pleased that it was included today in the chairman’s mark,” said Camden Fine, president and CEO of ICBA.

S corporations were created in 1958, must be domestically owned, and are limited to 100 shareholders. This type of business has grown in popularity, particularly among small businesses, because of its simplicity and flexibility. S corporations are the most common form of business structure in America, with more than 4 million in existence today. Despite their popularity, relatively few reforms have been made to S corporations since their creation.  

In July, Thune and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) introduced the S Corporation Modernization Act of 2016 (S. 3181), legislation that would make several pro-growth reforms to help S corporations operate more easily, which would improve their ability to raise capital. The amendment adopted during today’s markup is a key provision of S. 3181.     

This is the first time since 2009 that the S Corporation Modernization Act, of which Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) is also a cosponsor, has been introduced in the Senate. U.S. Reps. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.) have introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

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Three months ago, I pulled out my political crystal ball based on what was happening at the time, as well as rumors, and came up with a chart of how I believed the landscape would be looking in 2018.

Three months later, I’m hearing things, I’m seeing things, and it’s as good a time to update the chart, as well as expand it, Because you can’t look at one part of the landscape without looking at another.

As noted last time in the Governor’s race,

There is absolutely no doubt that Attorney General Marty Jackley and incomingHouse Speaker Mark Mickelson are firmly in the race. And except for the fact thatCongresswoman Noem has to dispatch sacrificial lamb Paula Hawks, I’d say that she would be a sure thing.

But instead, we need to wait for December or so for confirmation.

From there, it gets a lot murkier. Lt Governor Matt Michels does his job quietly, but being at the podium this past weekend at the GOP convention, Matt showed us that we should not forget about him as time goes by.

Michels might be less likely than Noem to run, but as a familiar face to politicos and donors, he’s got a lot more game than many people might think, with extensive connections to this state’s healthcare and legal industries.  In other words, he has resources people might not credit him for. And he’s an exceedingly approachable and friendly guy.

Read that entire thing here.

What has changed in the past three months? I’ve been hearing rumors lately of Secretary of State Shantel Krebs not so much looking at Governor, but preparing to follow in Kristi Noem’s footsteps, should Noem make the leap.   The word on the street – and don’t give them anymore credence than rumor at this point – is that she’s out talking to people, potentially about fundraising & support for a run.

That warrants renewed attention, and if true, gives a bit of a signal that there might be something to the rumors of her being in the initial planning stages.  Krebs had been looking at Congress before Noem jumped into the race, way back when, so there is precedent for her interest.

And if we’re speculating on the Congressional seat being open, that brings in a couple of gentlemen who have long said to be interested in the spot who had previously been in the service of the Governor; former PUC Commissioner Dusty Johnson, and former attorney for the Governor Jim Seward.

I have heard a tidbit or two about Dusty and Congress. There’s talk.

Dusty would be an intriguing entry into the contest, as he has ballot experience, and is universally well-liked, even among many Democrats. Oh, and there is that army of minions who he’s brought up since near-infancy called TAR’s. Seriously, Dusty participated in TAR’s with, or has mentored nearly a generation of young Republicans, whether they remained active in politics, or not.

If he jumps in, I think you’ll see a wave of youthful enthusiasm in the contest that eclipses his opponents. One might even consider it akin to what we saw when John Thune ran against Lt. Governor Carole Hillard for Congress. Even if I told them I was being neutral, and to stay out of it, I don’t think I could hold back my girls, nor my son from wanting to walk in parades and go to work.

There’s a lot of respect, and loyalty from many of those kids. And they would be ready to work.

Jim Seward would be an interesting candidate in the race as well. With his military background, as well as his long carrying water for the GOP, he would appear to the West River crowd and offer them an alternative to what some may view as “establishment candidates,” whether a correct assumption or not.  Much would depend on the kind of campaign Jim would be able to put together.

Given recent history, I think you’d also see at least two others jump into the race if the leading candidates aren’t able to raise enough money to scare them away. I think you’d see a random legislator jump in, as well as the inevitable “I’m more conservative than all of them” tea party offering.

It could be a long a bruising primary for all of them, which isn’t a bad thing, as they’re going to have to have their “A” game ready for the Democrat after June.  I suspect if the seat is vacant, they’ll be facing none other than former US Attorney Brendan Johnson.

Given that Brendan literally comprises the entirety of the Democrat’s bench, it’s going to be a donnybrook of a battle, and both sides will have significant enthusiasm.

And that’s all I’m seeing in the swirling mists of my crystal ball at the moment.  Any thoughts, comments, or notes from the field that I’m not hearing?

Sens. Rounds, Gillibrand, Lead Bipartisan Initiative Urging President Obama to Reject and if Needed Veto Any One-Sided Resolutions at the UN

As the UN General Assembly Begins, 88 Republican and Democrat Senators Join Together to Insist United States Uphold Longstanding U.S. Policy

Senators: “At this delicate stage the international community should both provide hope to the parties and avoid taking action that would harm the prospects for meaningful progress”

WASHINGTON. – U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today led a bipartisan letter with 86 other Senators urging President Obama to continue the longstanding U.S. policy of vetoing any one-sided United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution offered at the United Nations that would ultimately make it more difficult for Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a sustainable two-state solution.

“At a time of great challenges in the Middle East, we are disappointed that talks between Israelis and Palestinians remain stalled,” the Senators wrote. “The only way to resolve the conflicts between the two is through direct negotiations that lead to a sustainable two-state solution with a future state of Palestine living in peace and security with Israel. This outcome would provide Israel with greater security and strengthen regional stability. Even well-intentioned initiatives at the United Nations risk locking the parties into positions that will make it more difficult to return to the negotiating table and make the compromises necessary for peace.” 

The U.S. has a longstanding policy of opposing, and if necessary vetoing these resolutions, whether focused on settlements or other final status issues. As President Obama prepares to attend his final UN General Assembly, the Senators called on him to maintain this longstanding policy, as he has in the past.

The letter led by Senators Gillibrand and Rounds is also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ed Markey (D-MA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mike Lee (R-UT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Cory Gardner (R-CO),  Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Boozman (R-AR), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), John McCain (R-AZ), Mark Warner (D-VA), Dan Coats (R-IN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jon Tester (D-MT), Dean Heller (R-NV), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Robert Casey (D-PA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Angus King (I-ME), John Thune (R-SD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Scott (R-SC), Al Franken (D-MN), David Perdue (R-GA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), James Risch (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tom Udall (D-NM), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chris Coons (D-DE), David Vitter (R-LA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), James Lankford (R-OK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Steve Daines (R-MT),  and Rob Portman (R-OH).

Below is the full text of the letter:

 Dear Mr. President:

 As you prepare to attend the United Nations General Assembly, we write to address the issue of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. At a time of great challenges in the Middle East, we are disappointed that talks between Israelis and Palestinians remain stalled.  The only way to resolve the conflicts between the two is through direct negotiations that lead to a sustainable two-state solution with a future state of Palestine living in peace and security with Israel. This outcome would provide Israel with greater security and strengthen regional stability. We remain optimistic that, under the right circumstances, Israelis and Palestinians can successfully resume productive negotiations toward this goal.

 At this delicate stage the international community should both provide hope to the parties and avoid taking action that would harm the prospects for meaningful progress.   Even well-intentioned initiatives at the United Nations (UN) risk locking the parties into positions that will make it more difficult to return to the negotiating table and make the compromises necessary for peace.  The United States remains an indispensable trusted mediator between the parties, and we must continue to insist that neither we nor any other outsider substitute for the parties to the conflict.

 Your administration has consistently upheld the longstanding U.S. policy of opposing – and if necessary vetoing – one-sided UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. As U.S. Ambassador to the UN, the Honorable Susan Rice summarized your Administration’s position well when she exercised America’s veto on a February 2011 resolution: “It is the Israelis’ and Palestinians’ conflict, and even the best-intentioned outsiders cannot resolve it for them. Therefore every potential action must be measured against one overriding standard: will it move the parties closer to negotiations and an agreement?  Unfortunately, this draft resolution risks hardening the positions of both sides. It could encourage the parties to stay out of negotiations and, if and when they did resume, to return to the Security Council whenever they reach an impasse.”

 Mr. President, you also clearly stated in your September 2011 address to the General Assembly, “Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the United Nations – if it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now. Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must live side by side. Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians – not us –- who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them….  Ultimately, peace depends upon compromise among people who must live together long after our speeches are over, long after our votes have been tallied.”

 We could not agree more with these statements. We urge you to continue longstanding U.S. policy and make it clear that you will veto any one-sided UNSC resolution that may be offered in the coming months. Any such resolution, whether focused on settlements or other final status issues, will ultimately make it more difficult for Israelis and Palestinians to resolve the conflict.

 Sincerely,

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After months of bleeding cash, has the Clinton campaign come in to bail out the State Democrat party? Or are they parking the cash for a transfer to another state? Because the September 20th FEC Report shows a tremendous amount of cash being dumped into Democrat coffers from Hillary Clinton, out-of-state Indian tribes, Labor Unions, and Democrat affiliated mega-donors.

But, don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself.

SDDP August Fec

In one of the larger monthly FEC Reports that Democrats have filed for a while, this report is remarkable as it notes a tremendous 637,214.28 in receipts, after beginning the month with 48,900.34 cash on hand, After spending around 30K of their new cash kitty, Democrats are left with over $650,000 in their federal account.

Where did all this loot come from? If you page down to page 2, 615,296.50 of these finds are said to have come from “Affiliated/Other Party Committees,” leaving a question as to whether these finds all belong to the South Dakota Democrat Party, or if the money is a component of a larger shell game of transferring cash from one entity to a state political party or other group in order to “launder” or otherwise clean the source of a donation for the cash for purposes of transferring to an entity where such a direct donation might be disallowed.

Who donated? The lions share of the funds – $600,000 of it comes directly from the Hillary Victory Fund

That’s a lot of cash from a presidential campaign to dump into a little state like South Dakota. There’s also funds being put into the party from out-of-state Indian tribes:

Pro-redistricting ballot committee SDRTThing2Do is kicking money into Democrat coffers, $4000 worth.

Chicago Democrat and Billionaire Mega-Donor Fred Eychaner, who gave so much money directly to federal candidates that he violated the legal maximum for 2012, gave 10k to South Dakota Democrats. Avie Glazer, who’s family owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, and who control the English football club Manchester United, also donated 10k to South Dakota Democrats.

Philip R. Munger, a wealthy New Yorker and self-employed policy analyst who has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to mostly Democratic U.S. political campaigns kicked in 10k to the SDDP. As did Matthew Pritzker, one of several heirs of the Pritzker family’s Hyatt Hotel fortune.

And while South Dakota Democrats are always quick to take a shot at Walmart….

The shocking truth about what it would cost us all if #Walmart paid a living wage (via @Upworthy) http://t.co/JjZ9XwBWdA #RaiseTheWage

— SD Democratic Party (@SoDakDems) April 10, 2014

…they weren’t so proud that they wouldn’t accept a 10k donation from Sam R. Walton. Yes, THAT Walton family.

Or from Alice Walton, either:

I’m quite sure they scolded them and said “Bad Wal-Mart! You bad, evil Wal-Mart owners” when they took their thousands of dollars.

To the $10,000 club, you can also add Cantey McAdam Ergen (Founder of Dish), Cary Fowler (Global Crop Diversity Trust), Shashikant Gupta (Apex CoVantage, who does a lot of work with electric, gas, and water utilities), Mel Heifetz (The #`1 political donor in Pennsylvania), George Marcus (California mega-real estate broker), Sheryl Sandburg of Facebook, and the list goes on, and on, and on.

All of these donors found their cash flowing into the South Dakota Democrat Party through their federal account in this latest FEC filing.

Hardly compares to Republican-hating KSFY weatherman Phil Schreck‘s $80 tithe for the month to Democrats.

On another note, I did find another big wheel on the list who swims in the mega-donor circles who was also on the list.

As he’s pushing Amendment V to help Democrats hide the fact that they’re Democrats on the ballot, and after pulling in hundreds of thousand from out-of-state sources himself, Slick Rick Weiland wasn’t too big to take a moment to share his wealth with the South Dakota Democrat Party who’s banner he carried last election.

Try not to spend all of Rick’s $25 all in one place. Ok?