Category: Uncategorized

Enriching Your Education
By Senator Mike Rounds 

When our four kids were growing up, the last days of summer were always bittersweet. They marked the end of the boating and camping season, but they also meant that a new school year was about to begin. No matter what age our kids were, they’d always get excited to compare class schedules with their friends or go to that first football game of the season. Making sure all kids get a great education in South Dakota has always been important to me—as a dad, a governor, a senator and now a grandfather. I’m fortunate to be able to offer a number of educational opportunities to South Dakota students through my Senate office.

For college students, we offer internship opportunities year-round in both my Washington, D.C., and South Dakota offices. Interns in the Washington office may work on tracking legislation, researching bills, attending committee hearings and briefings, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol, handling constituent phone calls, sorting mail and providing legislative support. Duties in the South Dakota offices include researching constituent inquiries and requests, participation in outreach activities, assisting staff on special projects, handling phone calls and constituent requests and sorting mail. In all offices, students will work closely with constituents and staff, polish their research and writing skills and gain an in-depth understanding of a Senate office. We offer college credit, as well. If you think this may be an experience you’re interested in, I encourage you to visit my website at www.rounds.senate.gov/internships to learn more about the program. 

For high school students thinking about applying to one of our nation’s service academies, my office holds a number of Academy Day events throughout the state so students and parents can learn more about the enrollment process at the academies. These include the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Stay tuned for an announcement about our next Academy Day!

Another opportunity that the Senate offers high school students is the U.S. Senate Page Program. Senate Pages live and go to school in D.C., and spend their days both in the classroom and working on the Senate floor. Some of the Page duties include carrying messages for senators, transporting bills and amendments in the Capitol and preparing the Senate chamber for business. To apply to the Page program, you must be a high school junior and at least 16 years old. To learn more, visit www.senate.gov/reference/page.

The U.S. Senate Youth Program is yet another educational opportunity for high school students. Its focus is on developing leadership skills for students interested in pursuing a career in public service. Each year, two students are chosen from each state for this prestigious program, and spend one week in Washington learning the ins and outs of the federal government. Each delegate to the program is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship. To apply, visit www.ussenateyouth.org.

If you’re interested in government, politics or public service, I hope you take advantage of these excellent opportunities to further enrich your education. If you have questions about any of these programs, or want to learn more, contact my office at (202) 224-5842. Jean and I wish all South Dakota students a great school year! 

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End of Summer Update
By Rep. Kristi Noem

I’ve had the opportunity to travel across South Dakota for the last month. Whether in Waubay, Parker, Mitchell or Mobridge – Aberdeen, Eagle Butte, Lemmon or Rapid City – I sensed the frustration so many people are feeling toward our government today – and I get it. I’m frustrated too. 

It’s easy to get discouraged by the current situation, but despite the challenges, progress is being made on real solutions that help real people. Since the beginning of this Congress, the House has passed 601 bills – a 28 percent increase over the 25-year average. Of those, 219 were enacted into law.  

Included in this list of 219 is the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act – a bipartisan anti-trafficking bill I helped champion. Among other things, this new policy offers additional support for those working to provide safe housing for trafficking victims and targets the websites that knowingly sell our kids.

The first fully funded, five-year transportation bill was passed too, as was the first major education overhaul since No Child Left Behind. Both aimed to offer more flexibility to states and localities, rather than centralizing authority within a federal bureaucracy. 

Protections against pending tax hikes were also signed into law. More specifically, we permanently extended Section 179 business expensing limitations, improved 529 college savings plans, and protected tax deductions for state and local sales tax, certain expenses for teachers, and charitable donations. 

Not every provision has become law yet, but it hasn’t stopped the House from taking up proposals. Just weeks ago, we passed legislation to modernize the nation’s mental healthcare system, which included provisions specifically targeted to rural and tribal communities after I brought the bill’s author to see South Dakota’s challenges. 

Provisions forcing any major regulation to be approved by Congress before implementation and a disapproval of the controversial Waters of the U.S. rule were also passed by the House. Additionally, we approved legislation, including provisions I wrote, to make our welfare system more accountable to taxpayers and the people it’s built to help. A proposal to prohibit the IRS from rehiring employees who were fired for misconduct, which I sponsored, as well as provisions to protect services at the Hot Springs VA Hospital received the House’s support too.

This isn’t where the work stops either. I am actively working on legislation to help expand the Black Hills National Cemetery, which has passed committee and is ready for the House’s full consideration. Legislation I sponsored to exempt tribes and tribal employers from Obamacare’s costly employer mandate has received committee approval as well.

I’ve joined with Reps. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) on legislation aimed at addressing the backlog of wetland determinations and teamed with Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) on a proposal to extend the $1-per-gallon tax credit for biodiesel and reform it so it can only be used for U.S.-produced fuel.  

Additionally, I’ve authored a bill to fundamentally change how the Indian Health Service operates, addressing both medical and administrative challenges. This bill received a preliminary hearing just weeks after introduction and I’m hopeful it will receive a second hearing soon. 

This is all on top of the work I’m doing through the Ways and Means Committee to author a comprehensive tax reform package that makes the tax code work better for your family and our economy. 

Undoubtedly, there is much more to do, but whether we’re talking about what’s been accomplished or what’s yet to be accomplished, I’m grateful for constituent feedback and insight. Each email, letter, and conversation helps shape our priorities, so please stay in touch.

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Criminal Justice Reform Update 

A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

In January of 2012, I introduced in my State of the State Address a proposal to comprehensively reform our criminal justice system. The Public Safety Improvement Act legislation was pieced together with help from the Chief Justice, legislative leaders and stakeholders from across the state. The bill passed with overwhelming support.

Aimed at addressing prison overcrowding and improving public safety, the proposal restructured our sentencing framework for non-violent offenders. It included new and improved probation accountability programs like drug and alcohol courts, making it the largest investment in the history of our state for correctional behavioral health.

Four-and-a-half years later, we are seeing positive developments.

Among the successes is probation. Under the new law, felony probationers can reduce the duration of their probation by 30 days each time they complete 30 days of perfect behavior. Last fiscal year, offenders reduced their time on probation by 809,250 days. That’s more than 2,000 years-worth of probation credit. Probationers who do well early in their probation term are very unlikely to violate later in their term, so this reform allows probation officers to focus on supervising those who need it. Even though probation numbers are higher than what they were in 2012, a very small number of individuals on presumptive probation – less than one percent – committed a violent crime and were sent to prison.

A similar arrangement for earned parole time was established under the law. Parolees last year earned hundreds of thousands of days in parole credit. Since passage of the Public Safety Improvement Act, more parolees are being successfully monitored within their communities.

A total of 540 individuals have completed substance abuse treatment created by the Act. In fact, our treatment completion rate is 11percent higher than the national average. Because of the reforms, more offenders are receiving the help they need through drug and DUI courts. More mothers and fathers are able to stay in their communities and provide for their children. 

These are tremendous accomplishments, and I am proud of our work. Still, there are areas where we would like to see more improvement. The total prison population is lower than it would have been without the reforms, but it is higher than our projections had predicted. We need to understand why this is happening and determine if it can be addressed. 

One particular area of concern is the regional increase in meth trafficking, which South Dakota and neighboring states have experienced over the past seven or eight years. Like our neighbors, South Dakota is seeing more meth-related arrests and convictions. While the Public Safety Improvement Act was not designed to address drug trafficking, we need to consider whether our practices need to adapt to address the growing number of drug-related incarcerations. 

I have invited a group of stakeholders to work on these issues. They represent law enforcement, prosecutors and defense attorneys, corrections, and the court system. These stakeholders are in the process of reviewing the data and they will make recommendations to me on how to further improve our criminal justice system. With their help, I am confident we will find solutions to make South Dakota a safer place. 

Just as we all tend to overlook our own shortcomings, some politicians tend to defend their programs at all costs. I have tried to do the opposite. I define success by studying the data and facts, not anecdotes and feelings, and I’m always willing to consider new information. The Public Safety Improvement Act has achieved much success, but it could be better. As always, we are working to do what we can to achieve a complete success.

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I got a chance to get a couple of great photos of Marco Rubio speaking at AFP’s #Dream16 Summit. At least, until maybe I got a little too up close… and they told me to get out of the aisle.

Oops. Sorry about that. But I liked Rubio in the presidential race. I was just overly enthusiastic. (It was worth being scolded.)

From Facebook comes an interesting anecdote in the recent trial where former State Senator Alan Aker was charged with a felony for de-fence-ive actions:

I havent read a release about the charges being withdrawn, but if that’s a correct statement, it comes on the heels of the prosecutor declaring that charges would be re-filed:

The 7-woman, 5-man jury found Aker not guilty of a misdemeanor trespass charge tied to the Feb. 6 incident in which Akers admittedly used a chainsaw to cut 50 feet of hand-hewn log railing from the deck of a customer who had refused to make a final $2,600 payment for his work.

Immediately following the verdict, Lawrence County Deputy State’s Attorney Brenda Harvey vowed to retry Aker on at least one felony count of intentional damage to property. Fourth Circuit Court Judge Randall L. Macy set a Sept. 6 status hearing, at which time a new trial date is expected to be scheduled, Harvey said.

“We are going to go to trial again,” she said, declining further comment.

Read that here.

Stay tuned, as we will find out soon enough.

Back here in Orlando this morning, South Dakota conservatives and free market supporters are “representing” this morning, and showing everyone that South Dakota is the conservative center of the country. State Representative Don Haggar participated on a panel of AFP’s rising stars, with other legislators from Florida and Wisconsin.

Don’s message largely was to point out that when assessing whether someone is a free market conservative, “you can’t make assumptions based on party affiliation,”. noting that there are times where “some will change their party affiliation to run.”

In trying to get things accomplished in Pierre, Don noted it’s his belief that it’s important to “act with integrity, speak with respect, and respond with kindness.”

Don pointed out instances where he disagreed with the Governor on this past session’s sales tax increase for education, and discussions over whether to expand Medicaid in South Dakota & Don noted that he had to stand up and let the Governor know that he disagreed, but always with respect.

Don noted to participants that they need to build a relationship with their Representatives, and if they want to sway their vote or opinion, it’s important to be accurate, and well reasoned, but firm. And legislators will listen. He stressed “Do something,” if you want your legislators to act.

As for insight into issues for the upcoming session, Don indicated Health Care is going to be a big issue again, and fighting off Medicaid expansion is going to take center stage again. He also noted he’d rather not be so reliaint on dollars from the federal government, and would like to work out ways to find a solution. Represtatie Haggar pointed out problems on reservations as an example of what can happen when there’s too much federal involvement.

Overall, it was a great panel session featuring one of South Dakota’s very own.

I’m seated at the AFP Session dedicated to the Rising Stars beakout session, where you can see State Representative Don Haggar getting ready to participate on the panel.

Just had this e-mail appeal from the Hawks campaign sent to me. And after reading it, the e-mail struck me as more of a wasted opportunity than anything.

Why? It is utterly unremarkable. It’s unenthusiastic, and utterly pedestrian. It barely goes past repeating the typical trope abut Paula that we read in every press release she issues, and then it fails to make the case why she should be elected, much less engage the Democrat donors who put him in office many elections in a row as to why they should get behind her.

But (as usual) don’t take my word for it, read it yourself:

From: Senator Tim Johnson
Date: August 30, 2016 at 4:49:58 PM CDT
To: (redacted) 
Subject: we need Paula
Reply-To: [email protected]

(Redacted),

I met Paula Hawks in 2012, and I knew right away that South Dakota had a new rising star.

Paula understands the challenges South Dakotans face because she has faced them herself. From growing up on a family farm during the 80’s farm crisis, to becoming a high school teacher trying to make a difference in children’s lives, to being a mother of three children, Paula has worked her entire life to make our state a better place. She will be a strong voice when she becomes South Dakota’s next congresswoman.

Will you join me in contributing today to support Paula’s campaign for the U.S. House?

I know that by working hard, just like I did when I first ran for Congress, Paula can win in November, and I know that she will be a great congresswoman.

Thomas, if you believe that South Dakota needs to send a strong voice back to the U.S. House like I do, join me in contributing to support Paula’s campaign today.

With a campaign focused on being a strong voice for South Dakota agriculture, protecting social security and Medicare for our seniors, and building an economy that works for everyone– we have a leader who can make a difference, a difference that will improve the lives of South Dakotans.

Senator Tim Johnson

Zzz….  Oh, sorry. Are you done yet? I fell asleep.

It’s bad enough that it tries to unilaterally declare her a rising star, despite the fact that neither winning by 9 votes, nor pushing a state income tax makes one so.  And it fails to make any case as to why she should be elected, or what she’s going to with these riches Johnson is asking people to send her way. 

It lacks enthusiam, and it could be generically be used by Democrat HQ with nearly every Democrat running for office. 

And if that’s the level of cheerleading we get from Tim Johnson in his endorsement of Pauls Hawks, there’s a problem.

I shouldn’t intimate it’s a new problem. Because in reality, it’s more of the same. Her campaign had the worst start in state history. It has floundered for months. Recently, State Democrat Chairman Ann Tornberg had to write to the media to beg for coverage of Paula.

So as for Tim Johnson’s unenthusiastic endorsement of Paula Hawks… It’s not a problem in and of itself. It’s more of a symptom of a campaign that got off on a bad foot, continued to flounder, and now is in it’s death spiral.

I too was wondering about where Jim Seward was going to land, and the Rapid City Journal notes that he’s going to the Black Hills Corporation: 

Seward joined the Daugaard transition team in 2010 and has served as general counsel since 2011. He said he will join Black Hills Corporation in Rapid City.

“I would say that while I will greatly miss the governor and his family and staff, I am really looking forward to getting back to the Hills,” Seward said Thursday.

Amy Estes, Black Hills Corporation senior manager of community affairs, said she looks forward to working with the former Butte County state’s attorney who remains active in the South Dakota National Guard as a lieutenant colonel.

Read it here. 

And now you know.