Category: Uncategorized

A Better Way to Decide How Congress Spends Your Tax Dollars
By Senator Mike Rounds 

Determining how the federal government spends your taxpayer dollars is an important responsibility. Congress, in conjunction with the president, is tasked with deciding how to fund federal programs and various agencies through careful debate and consideration. Unfortunately, that is not happening today. Instead of thoughtful debate, too often in recent years Congress has passed spending bills that largely maintain the status quo and fail to bring about any meaningful discussions about whether federal programs and policies are working effectively and responsibly. It is broken and inefficient.

This was evident when Congress passed a short-term bill to fund the government past the end of the fiscal year, once again barely meeting our deadline as concerns about a partial shutdown of government services loomed. Many of us in Congress, along with the American people, are rightly frustrated by this last-minute reprieve. It is a reminder of our broken federal budget process – and why we can no longer afford to continue down this dangerous path.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report earlier this year that forecast a grim future for the U.S. if we fail to get our federal budget in order. The report found that by the year 2026, just 10 years from now, deficits will double as a share of GDP to 4.9 percent and more than triple in dollar terms to $1.37 trillion. It also found that in 2026, 99 percent of revenue will go to mandatory payments and net interest spending, leaving no room to pay for roads, healthcare, our armed forces or education.

The report concluded that the driver of this rising debt is largely from growing mandatory payments– Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security – as well as interest on our debt. Yet, here in the Senate, when we work through the appropriations process to determine the best way to spend Americans hard-earned taxpayer dollars, we don’t even vote on mandatory payments —programs that account for nearly three-quarters of all federal spending.

All the funding bills we debate in Congress, including the continuing resolution we recently voted on, only cover approximately 28 percent of our annual spending. Yet the CBO report, just like many other projections and reports have concluded in the past, the biggest driver of spending isn’t the $1.1 trillion we actually are able to amend and debate in Congress, it is part of the other $2.7 trillion dollars that is on auto-pilot, and it is growing at an alarming rate. In other words, our fiscal crisis will continue to grow if we do nothing about these auto-pilot programs which we in Congress do not debate and consider. It is another symptom of a broken system and another example of the importance of reviving the federal budget process.

I have been working with other senators to come up with some serious proposals on how to change the budget process so we can have thoughtful debate on how and where all federal money is spent, not just one-quarter of it. Doing so will help make government more efficient and bring long-term stability to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and the people these programs are meant to benefit. 

We owe it to every American to be responsible stewards of their hard-earned money. We can no longer afford to kick the can down the road.

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Where the Farm Bill Stands
By Rep. Kristi Noem

It’s hard to believe fall is already here, although take just one step out the door and the temperature will remove all doubts.  For most of my life, this time of year meant hours in the combine.  I loved it and it’s one of the things I miss most these days. While the wheat harvest is wrapped up, soybeans and sunflowers are just getting started – and corn will be right behind.  While some areas are seeing good yields, others were hit by drought or hail damage.  Even high yields will not be enough to offset the low prices we are seeing in the markets.

These lower commodity prices have weakened farm income, worsened credit conditions, and pushed down the value of cropland by between 3 and 5 percent from a year ago, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s August report. 

It’s no secret that farming has always been an unpredictable way of life. But farmers are resilient and optimistic.  You have to be. After all, it might be the only industry where most people take out massive loans at the beginning of a year – only to bury that money in the ground in the form of seed, fertilizer, and herbicide.  We pray it produces a good yield and that someone will actually pay us a fair price for what we’ve grown.  That level of unpredictability is why the Farm Bill is so important.

I had the opportunity to be a member of the final negotiating team during the 2014 Farm Bill debate.  With only 29 members of the House and Senate having backgrounds in farming or ranching, it was a challenge to pass.  Nonetheless, we were able to finalize legislation that maintained strong risk-management programs for crop producers, strengthened livestock disaster programs, protected our native grasslands, and invested in ag-related research. 

Two years later, we’re still focused on making sure the Farm Bill is implemented correctly and fairly.  We’re also looking forward, getting input on how to improve the legislation during the next go-around. 

One of the things we’re looking at is how to improve the commodity safety net.  We know there have been concerns over the current commodity programs.  As a result, we’re again collecting feedback from farmers about the kind of system that would be most helpful to get through tough times.

We are also working to re-evaluate some of the processes in place for producers. For example, the wetland determinations process has resulted in a tremendous backlog.  I am working with the top Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, Collin Peterson, and North Dakota Representative Kevin Cramer on legislation to address this backlog and enact permanent reforms that make the determination process more efficient, accountable, and transparent.

Finally, we’re looking to strengthen the conservation programs needed to protect vulnerable habitats as well as prime hunting and fishing grounds.  This includes CRP.  Only 101 acres were accepted in South Dakota during the last general sign up, which is much lower than in previous years. I am looking for feedback from producers about how we can make that program more targeted and successful.

The next few years could be tough for many in agriculture – even with strong yields. That’s why it’s critical we have farm programs that provide a safety net, not just for the producer, but for the food supply on which our families rely.

The ‘Dignity’ of All Peoples
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard: 

National headlines tell us America is divided, and that we are becoming an increasingly polarized nation. We’re told that our diverse cultural, political and religious views make for irreconcilable differences. That’s the impression one gets from the news these days.

An event I attended in South Dakota just a few weeks ago, though, left me with quite a different impression. On Sept. 17, hundreds of South Dakotans met to celebrate the completion of a new landmark in our state called “Dignity.”

Located near Chamberlain at the Lewis and Clark Rest Area on I-90, Dignity is a 45-foot tall stainless steel sculpture of a Native American woman receiving a star quilt. It was created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Lamphere and donated to the state of South Dakota by Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City.

It was December of 2014 when Norm and Eunabel first announced their plans to commission the Dignity sculpture. That year was South Dakota’s 125^th anniversary of statehood. Norm and Eunabel wanted to honor the heritage of our Native people by donating this major piece of art as an anniversary gift to all South Dakotans.

This is a very meaningful gift to our state. South Dakota, the state of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, will also now be known as the state of the Dignity sculpture. Residents, tourists and all who travel across the state on I-90 will have the chance to see this reminder of the dignity of all peoples.

It’s a fitting gift coming from the McKies, whose family history is so tied to South Dakota. Norm’s ancestors came to South Dakota by covered wagon in the 1890s and since their arrival, generations of McKies have experienced the ups and downs in our state. They’ve faced droughts and depressions, and they’ve lost farms and businesses. Still, by persevering through those trials they’ve also experienced many successes, and they have generously chosen to share their success with all of us.

On that day in September a diverse group of people assembled to celebrate Dignity – Natives and non-Natives, Republicans and Democrats, and individuals with different religious beliefs. To this diverse group, Norm McKie spoke these words:

“Who is ‘Dignity’ and where can we find her? We all need more dignity. The secret to find dignity lies in our work, inside and outside of the home. Work gives us an opportunity to discover and express who we are as individuals and who we want to be. The beauty of being human and living in the USA means we can tune up to make the right choices. To find dignity, right choices must be acted upon.”

Regardless of background or beliefs, this is true for all of us.

I imagine those of us assembled there on Sept. 17 might disagree on many things, including many issues found in the headlines that describe our nation’s polarization. Still, there’s one point upon which I believe most of us would agree. The important thing, even as we may differ, is that we treat each other with dignity.

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From KELOLAND:

Former Republican South Dakota Secretary of State Joyce Hazeltine has died.

Hazeltine’s son, Derek Hazeltine, says she died Friday in Custer. She was 81.

Read it all here.

Interesting story in the Black Hills Pioneer where there appears to be a divergence of opinion between what the forest service is saying, and how South Dakota officials recall discussions.

In fact, it appears that the United States Forest Service might have been caught in a blatant lie.

The head of the Black Hills National Forest is adding his voice of opposition to a piece of federal legislation that would trade land between the federal and state governments ultimately leading to the formation of the proposed Spearfish Canyon State Park.

Mark Van Every, Black Hills National Forest supervisor, discussed his concerns about the land swap with the Pioneer Monday. He joins opposition from Leslie Weldon, deputy chief of the National Forest System, who testified against bills by Sen. John Thune and Rep. Kristi Noem Sept. 22 and said in a written statement that “the bill is unnecessary and contains provisions that raise concerns.”

“In a normal land exchange process we start out with two willing parties and come up with a mutually beneficial land exchange in which both parties feel that they are getting a fair deal in the process,” Van Every said. “That process has not happened in this case. There has not been any consultation, nor has the Forest Service been involved with the proposal or consultation.”

“That is blatantly false,” said Hunter Roberts, a policy advisor for Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

Roberts said the state reached out to the Black Hills National Forest at least a dozen times seeking input for the pending legislation.

“We spent a lot of time, a multitude of times, giving them an opportunity to provide input into our proposed land exchange. Continually, their statement is, ‘It is not Forest Service policy to comment on legislation until it has been introduced.’ In my opinion, you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t say, ‘This is the first we’ve heard of it, we weren’t consulted,’ when you were consulted on it and just chose not to give input on it.”

Read it here.

This sounds like the people who didn’t participate in the Dakota Access hearings, and then started protesting over not being consulted.   For a federal agency to not give their input after repeated requests, and then to deny they had a seat at the table is unconscionable.

It’s not as if this is a new development.  The State has been working on this for most of the year.  And NOW, the forest service is trying to claim they weren’t consulted? I’m calling bullsh*t on this one.

Our federal delegation needs to press forward with their legislation – AND get to the bottom of what is going on with the US Forest Service.

The Yes on Amendment V forces are trying to hide the fact that they’ve taken ridiculous amounts of money from out of state to promote this awful measure, and have sent out an appeal to raise money from South Dakotans.

And they have a couple of rich guys making the pitch.

I’m not sure where to start on this thing. Rich guys Joe Kirby from Sioux Falls, and Stan Adelstein of Rapid City start out the letter by stating “if you are a principled Republican like us…”  Which seems a bit ironic.  I can’t speak to Mr. Kirby’s background, but principled isn’t a word I’d use in the other case. Stan Adelstein has tried to buy more races than a gambling addict at the race track, with a pile of that money going towards Democrats.

Regardless, in case you did want to read it, here’s the letter where rich guys need money. In case you’ve thrown it out already.

Defeat 22 Coalition Welcomes Senators Thune and Rounds, Congresswoman Noem, and Governor Daugaard

Governor and all members of federal delegation join coalition opposing taxpayer funded elections

Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Defeat 22 coalition today welcomed aboard Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, and Governor Dennis Daugaard. The state leaders are the latest members of a broad coalition opposing taxpayer funding of elections, as called for in initiated measure 22.

“We applaud Senators Thune and Rounds, Congresswoman Noem, and Governor Daugaard for taking a stand against taxpayer funding of elections and joining the Defeat 22 coalition,” explained Larry Rhoden, Spokesman for Defeat 22. “These state leaders know that our taxpayers deserve better: tax dollars should pay for schools, public safety, and law enforcement – not robocalls, television ads, and junk mail. We hope other politicians will join with them and tell the Massachusetts special interest group supporting Measure 22: no thank you!”

U.S. Senator John Thune says: “Tax dollars aren’t the government’s money, they belong to the people. Using tax dollars to fund political campaigns is the wrong idea for our state.”

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds says: “Measure 22’s taxpayer funding component fails the common sense test, and I expect most South Dakotans will admit as much when they go to the polls November 8th. Dumping our tax dollars into political campaigns will waste their hard-earned money and make a mockery of responsible spending.”

U.S. Representative Kristi Noem says: “Here in South Dakota, we know what’s best for our state. We shouldn’t be taking advice from out of state special interest groups when it comes to using our tax dollars and changing our election laws, which is why I oppose Measure 22.”

Governor Dennis Daugaard says: “I oppose Measure 22 because the state’s budget simply can’t afford it. Taking $12 million from the state’s general fund and using it for taxpayer funded elections would hurt other South Dakota priorities.”

Defeat 22 is a coalition of more than a dozen South Dakota businesses, charities, political leaders, and organizations who agree that tax dollars shouldn’t fund political campaigns. They have released multiple radio ads and two mailers to supplement a grassroots door knocking effort. The coalition plans to continue heavy grassroots advocacy and paid media through November. All details about the coalition-led effort can be seen at www.defeat22.com.

 

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The latest Marsy’s Law postcard tells the tale of what happened to one woman who was the victim of a crime.

The allegedly “non-partisan” League of Women Voters has been blasting out a particularly partisan message against Amendment V via robocalls across South Dakota. Take a listen:

The South Dakota League of Women Voters is a branch of the national “non-partisan” group. So, in addition to hiding political affiliation, what other issues are they taking on? (all from LWV.org)

I thought they hosted debates? What does so-called “climate change” have to do with voter education?

Ozone standards? Again, what does that have to do with voting?  I’m starting to think this is a liberal special interest group.

Again, what does that have to do with voting? It sounds more like “EarthJustice” or another one of those environmental groups.

and….

Oh, come on!  Am I to gather that the League of Women Voters has nothing to do with voting and voter education, and everything to do with liberal propaganda & indoctrination?

What other issues do they advocate for?

I’m seeing a trend…

I think there’s enough evidence at hand to draw conclusions. I’m not thinking the League of Women Voters has as much to do with non-partisanship, as much as adopting far-left of center positions, and promoting them under their umbrella.

Obamacare, Supporting the Obama administration on illegal immigrants, actively fighting and advertising against pipelines, climate change and cheering the shutdown of coal plants? That doesn’t sound very “non-partisan” to me. As much as representing liberal views on just about every issue being discussed – especially since they’re on the wrong side of issues that are important to South Dakotans.

If they’re wrong on the issues and aligning with liberal Democrats on Obamacare, Keystone, and Coal, what are we to think when they jump right in and tell us we need Amendment V?

I think we need to take a critical look at what the organization has become. And take every word they have to say with a liberal dose of salt.

Thune-Schumer Bill to Eliminate Team USA Victory Tax Set to Become Law

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued the following statements after the Senate passed the USA Olympians and Paralympians Act (H.R. 5946), companion legislation to the Senate bill they introduced earlier this year that will exempt Team USA athletes with an adjusted gross income of $1 million or less from being taxed by the Internal Revenue Service on medals or prize money received from the U.S. Olympic Committee on account of the Olympic or Paralympic Games. This would apply to medals and prizes won at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. This bill will now be sent to the president for his signature. Their Senate bill originally passed the Senate in July.

“I can’t think of anything more unpatriotic than the federal government profiting off of the success of Olympic athletes,” said Thune. “Now that this tax on Olympic success will finally be a thing of the past, the medal-winning athletes who’ve returned home from the Rio games can continue to focus on what’s most important – sharing their victory and celebrating with friends, families, and communities across the United States.”

“I am happy to announce that our Olympic and Paralympic athletes who competed in Rio will receive tax relief on their prize money and medals,” said ‎Schumer. “Many countries subsidize their athletes to represent their country; the least we can do is make sure our athletes don’t get hit with a tax bill for winning a medal. After making sacrifices to train and volunteer to represent their country on the world’s stage, it’s just not right for the U.S. to welcome these athletes home with a tax bill on their medals and prize money.”

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which Thune serves as chairman, oversees the U.S. Olympic Committee and other sports organizations. Thune and Schumer are both members of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax and revenue measures.

The USA Olympians and Paralympians Act, which was first introduced in the 113^th Congress, is cosponsored by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jerry Moran (R- Kan.), and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

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