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I had noted her being recognized earlier, and now in their latest issue Governing Magazine explains why they’ve chosen South Dakota State Senator Deb Peters as one of their public officials of the year:

In South Dakota, Peters has watched her state — which does not tax income and is thus dependent on the sales tax — see a steady decline in sales tax growth. She has testified multiple times before Congress on the issue and has been a leader in the so-called streamlined sales tax effort to make state tax codes similar to one another so that paying online sales taxes would be simpler for retailers.

Finally, the impatient Peters got tired of waiting on Congress. This year, in consultation with the governor and state attorney general, she wrote and shepherded through legislation that allows South Dakota to make online sales tax collections. Anticipating a lawsuit, the legislation was written in a way that fast-tracks the case through the courts. That was prescient: The first day the law went into effect, retailers immediately obliged by suing. It’s possible the case will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court as early as next year. Considering the gridlock in Congress on the issue, it represents a chance, however uncertain, for states to see a reversal of the court’s 1992 decision that limited them to taxing only those sales by retailers based within their borders.

Peters is president-elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures, and she has used her position at NCSL to make a broader push on the sales tax front. This year, 34 bills in 22 states have been introduced that would let states collect sales taxes from online transactions. About a half-dozen of those bills have moved forward, although South Dakota was the first state to enact a law. “She’s clearly a leader on this issue and doesn’t take the easy way out,” says Bill Pound, executive director of NCSL. “The reason South Dakota was so fast at [getting the case to court] was because of her.”

Read it all here.

Again, congratulations Deb.

I can tell by my web numbers yesterday that it was a crazy, crazy day.

• Democrat Legislator Reynold Nesiba tells woman “you don’t need those pants,” and is accused of unwanted sexual contact, telling police that the victim was playing “hard to get.” State Democrat Party is unusually reserved in it’s comments.
• Congresswoman Kristi Noem announces she will be running for Governor in 2018.
• People start declaring their intentions to run for the vacated congressional seat, including former PUC Chair & Gov Chief of Staff Dusty Johnson and Secretary of State Shantel Krebs.
• Long time budget chief leaves State Govt.
• Still wondering if telling women “You don’t need those pants” actually works. Is that like a Jedi mind trick?

What’s happening today? I doubt it’s going to get as crazy as yesterday.

We may see more on the Congressional contest.

We could see more on the Governor’s race.

We could see more on pants. And whether they’re needed or not.

Or someone could throw us another wild curveball.

Stay tuned.

Jonathan Ellis has spoken tonight with a couple of the contenders I’ve noted in the 2018 contest for Congress:

Two of those potential candidates are Dusty Johnson, the former public utilities commissioner and chief of staff to Daugaard, and  current Secretary of State Shantel Krebs.

Johnson said that he loves his job in the private sector and loves spending time with his family in Mitchell. But a House bid is something he might consider.

“I’m a policy wonk and I love helping people,” he said. “Politics has never been that far out of my mind.”

Krebs said she thinks South Dakotans want a break from politics. But given the opening in the House, she said South Dakotans are looking for somebody who has held government accountable, which is what she’s done in her office.

“I am going to seriously consider it,” she said.

Read it all here.

It has been overshadowed by other events of today, but multiple elected officials have noted to me that while he’s still noted on the Governor’s website, they’ve been notified that Jason Dilges, Commissioner of the State’s Bureau of Finance and Management is no longer with State Government.

While such moves are not unusual as a Governor winds down his term in office, this comes at an unusual time when State Government is in the middle of working on the budget in preparation for the coming legislative session – something especially problematic with an economic downturn which is causing reduced revenue estimates, and the passage of IM22, which could cause 12 million dollars to come out of education, or other areas of critical need.

Dilges had been in the position all through out the Rounds administration, and had previously worked for BFM under the Janklow Administration.   Under the Daugaard Administration, Dilges was also a member of the Governor’s Executive Committee where he also had oversight of the Department of Revenue and Bureau of Administration.

Update – From the Argus Leader: 

The state’s longtime chief budget officer is no longer in his position after being placed on administrative leave last week.

Jason Dilges, the commissioner of the state’s Bureau of Finance and Management and the state’s chief financial officer, is also a member of Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s cabinet. Tony Venhuizen, Daugaard’s chief of staff, confirmed Tuesday that Dilges had been placed on “indefinite administrative leave” pending a final decision on his employment status.

Read it here.

With the Noem announcement made that she’s going to be a candidate for Governor of South Dakota in 2018, that leaves an open congressional seat that already has a few people vying for it.  The first and foremost name I’m hearing in the race is the man originally from the western plains of South Dakota. Specifically, the town of Ft. Pierre.

You may know him as Dusty. Dusty Johnson.

Keep your ears peeled. I hear there might be some things happening along those lines.

Representing South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives has been the honor of a lifetime.

After this historic election, I’m eager to begin working alongside President-elect Trump to tackle some of our country’s biggest challenges, including Obamacare, regulations and tax reform. From the very beginning, however, I’ve wanted to make a difference, not make a career out of Congress. While I am excited about what we can accomplish over the next two years, I will be returning home after that and will not seek re-election to the House in 2018.

I love South Dakota and believe our leaders have done a lot of things right.  But we could use some fresh ideas from someone who has had to hustle to make a dollar and pinch a penny to make it last. This has been my experience for the majority of my life, as a farmer, rancher and small business owner.

That’s why today, I’m asking for your support to serve as South Dakota’s next Governor.

South Dakota’s future depends on our ability to create new opportunities. I want our small businesses to continue to thrive in South Dakota. I want our economy to grow and reach its fullest potential.  I want our young people to be able to find rewarding careers and raise their children surrounded by family and friends in communities that solve problems together.

I know we just got through one campaign season and we all need a break from politics.  So while my campaign won’t kick off officially until next year, you deserve to know that I am “all in.”  As we move forward, I ask for your prayers and your support – and I thank you for the opportunity to once again earn your trust and vote.

With deepest thanks,

Kristi

PO Box 527 – Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Paid for by Kristi for Governor

SDDP on WORDS of Donald Trump as contained on old, off-camera recording:

“We call on all South Dakota Republicans, especially the members of our congressional delegation – Sen. John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds, and Rep. Krisit Noem – as well as Gov. Dennis Daugaard and members of the State Legislature to repudiate these horrific statements and revoke their endorsements of him for president.

Fast forward and Newly elected Democrat State Senator Reynold Nesiba arrested for unwanted sexual contact…

After asking Nesiba to leave, the victim found him naked in her bedroom. He repeatedly tried to undress her and, at one point picked her up, put her against the wall in a rough manner, carried her to the bedroom, and placed her on the bed. The victim said she felt pain in her ribs.

Nesiba told the victim, “You don’t need those pants,” and began to unbuckle the victim’s pants, court documents say.

At some point, the victim said she and Nesiba were in the kitchen when he reached into her pants and touched her vagina.

SDDP on ACTIONS of Reynold Nesiba:

The South Dakota Democratic Party declined to comment until the case is handled in court.

“These charges should be taken very seriously,” the statement read. “While the legal system does its work in discovering the truth in this matter, it is inappropriate to comment any further.”

Gov. Daugaard To Appoint David Lust To District 34 State House Seat

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard confirmed today that he will appoint Rep. David Lust of Rapid City to fill a vacant seat in the state House representing District 34.

Lust will take the place of the late Rep. Dan Dryden, who passed away in late August. Dryden’s name remained on the November ballot, and he was posthumously reelected to the State House in last week’s general election. Gov. Daugaard had announced prior to the election that, if Dryden was reelected, Daugaard would appoint Lust to serve during the 2017-18 legislative term.

“I again thank David Lust for accepting this appointment,” said Gov. Daugaard. “He was an excellent legislator during his earlier service, and he will continue Dan Dryden’s legacy of service to District 34 and to our state.”

Daugaard had previously appointed Lust to succeed Dryden for the current two-year term, which runs until the end of 2016. The next term begins in 2017 and runs to the end of 2018.

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Good Lord. TMI on the most recent Argus Story on Reynold Nesiba and his arrest for unwanted Sexual Contact:

The 51-year-old victim told an officer that two days prior she had invited Nesiba to her home after meeting him on Facebook and in person a few times.

After sharing a kiss, Nesiba made repeated, unwanted sexual advances and refused to leave the woman’s home, she told police.

After asking Nesiba to leave, the victim found him naked in her bedroom. He repeatedly tried to undress her and, at one point picked her up, put her against the wall in a rough manner, carried her to the bedroom, and placed her on the bed. The victim said she felt pain in her ribs.

Nesiba told the victim,” You don’t need those pants,” and began to unbuckle the victim’s pants, court documents say.

Read it here.