Category: Uncategorized

Noem Helps Drive Long-Term Highway Bill through the House

First long-term highway bill since 2005
receives final approval in the House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Kristi Noem today helped the U.S. House of Representatives move forward the first long-term highway bill since 2005. The bipartisan Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is a fully funded, five-year highway bill aimed at improving the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. With House approval of the conference agreement, the legislation will move to the Senate before heading to the President, who is expected to sign the bill.

“South Dakota has 80,000 miles of highways, roads, and streets. We have about 6,000 bridges and thousands of miles of railways. Our farmers, our businesses, our families depend on the safety and reliability of this infrastructure,” said Rep. Noem. “Today’s legislation is going to give our state and local governments the certainty they need to plan and conduct necessary maintenance on this intricate network of roads, bridges and railways. It’s going to give our local teams more flexibility to address their unique transportation priorities as well. In the end, I’m hopeful this will be a big win for all of South Dakota, helping to fuel continued economic opportunity and greater safety for our families and communities.”

The fully funded FAST Act increases highway spending by 15 percent and transit spending by 18 percent over five years, meaning South Dakota would receive $133 million more than it would have under current funding levels. Additionally, the bill creates an incentive grant for states with 24-7 sobriety programs for drunk drivers and removes a requirement that asked states to collect excessive data on unpaved and gravel roads – both are important priorities for South Dakota.

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Abortion numbers continue to fall in South Dakota

Pierre, SD, December 3, 2015– Recently released 2014 Abortion Statistics, published on the SD Department of Health website, show the number of reported abortions in South Dakota decreased. There were 551 total abortions reported performed in South Dakota in 2014 compared to 601 in 2013.

“These numbers represent fifty more children who now have the opportunity to grow and contribute to our society. While we are encouraged by this trend, our efforts to share the truth through education and legislation must continue until taking an innocent human life becomes unthinkable,” stated Debbie Pease, registered lobbyist for South Dakota Right to Life.

The drop in abortions follows a trend in the United States and is the lowest number reported in SD since 1973. The next lowest number was 597 abortions in 2011. The highest number ever reported in SD was 1,693 abortions in 1982.

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Noem Supports Legislation to Give Local Entities Greater Control of Education

Helps pass first education overhaul since 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Kristi Noem today supported the Every Student Succeeds Act, which represents the first major education overhaul since No Child Left Behind in 2002.  The legislation, which passed the House with bipartisan support, reduces the federal role in K-12 education, restores local control, and empowers parents.

“I believe those closest to our kids – parents, teachers, local school districts, state governments – make the best decisions about how to educate our young people,” said Rep. Noem.  “The Every Student Succeeds Act finally gets us away from having the federal government micromanage local classrooms.  The legislation gives states much greater flexibility to spend money in a way that benefits their students most.  It empowers parents to hold schools accountable, not the federal government. It modernizes the Impact Aid program, which many South Dakota schools rely on.  And maybe most notably, the Every Student Succeeds Act ensures the federal government can’t pressure states into adopting specific academic standards like the Common Core.”

The Every Student Succeeds Act also includes language based on Rep. Noem’s Local Taxpayer Relief Act, which modernizes and streamlines the federal Impact Aid program.  Created in 1950, the Impact Aid program provides payments from the federal government to local school districts to make up for local taxes lost on account of federal land within their school districts, such as military bases, national parks, or federal grasslands.

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From the Argus Leader, Senator Thune appears to have negotiated a significant increase in funding for Ag & Rail in SD:

South Dakota stands to be a major beneficiary of a new transportation bill making its way through Congress this week, with agriculture and rail among the biggest winners.

The bill, crafted by House and Senate negotiators including Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., would provide $305 billion nationwide for highways, bridges and transit over five years. The bill boosts highway spending by 15 percent and transit spending by 18 percent over its duration. South Dakota would receive $133 million more during the new five-year bill compared to current funding levels, according to the House Transportation Committee.

Read it here.

(Of course, I’m sure South Dakota democrats would have commented… but they still don’t have a candidate.   Not that anyone would stand a snowball’s chance in hades at this late point.)

If they had a crystal ball way back, maybe they should have called it the Unaffordable Care Act. Because it certainly seems to have completely mucked up insurance costs across the board.

From KELOland, one of the biggest health insurers in the state is abandoning the federal Obamacare marketplace because Obamacare claim levels are unsustainable:

Exactly two months ago, DAKOTACARE informed policy holders it will not be offering plans through the federal Marketplace in 2016.  The company blamed unexpectedly high claim costs in 2015 for its decision not to take part in Obamacare in 2016.

However, DAKOTACARE will continue to offer plans outside of the Marketplace.

The company says if you had DAKOTACARE through the Marketplace in 2015 and want to receive federal assistance to pay for your health insurance premiums in 2016, you might want to take a look at the fine print of a letter it sent out to policy-holders on October 1.

Read it here.

The National Review also discusses the decay of the program on a national basis:

Premiums are rising. Not everywhere, but steeply in some states. Indiana is down 12 percent, but Minnesota is up 50 percent. Health-care expert Robert Laszewski points out that it is the insurers with the most enrollment and therefore the best information about actual enrollees who have tended to request the biggest increases — a sign that they don’t like what they’re seeing in their data.

Relatedly, the economics are shaky. According to a McKinsey & Co. analysis, last year health insurers lost $2.5 billion in the individual market that Obamacare remade. Obamacare co-ops that were supposed to enhance choice and lower costs have been failing, and almost all of them are losing money, a victim of the absurd rules (no industry executives on their boards, no raising capital in public markets, etc.) imposed on them by the law.

The problem with Obamacare in a nutshell is that on one hand, by imposing motley regulations and mandates, it increases the price of health insurance, and on the other hand, by providing subsidies, it tries to hide the cost — but not enough.

Read it here.

Is there anything salvageable of this mess at this point?  This should leave us shuddering at how badly government interference has wrecked what was once a viable way for people to offset medical expenses by sharing the risk through insurance.

Now, the insurance coverage for medical expenses is starting to rival the cost of medical expenses themselves.

What are your thoughts?

Thune: The Time to Repeal Obamacare Is Now

“It’s time to give the American people the real health care reform they deserve.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the need to repeal Obamacare and help lift the heavy burden it has placed on the American people.

 

He’s the newest legislator in Pierre, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to speak with State Representative Wayne Steinhauer, who was recently appointed to the seat that was once held by State Representative Steve Hickey.  According to a release from the Governor’s office:

Steinhauer is the outgoing chairman of the Minnehaha County Planning Commission, on which he has served for 14 years. He retired last year as chief operations officer of Amesbury, after a 30 year career in business. He also owns and operates the Best Western Hotel in Murdo.

“I am extremely honored to be appointed to the South Dakota House of Representatives,” said Steinhauer. “I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to represent District 9 and to work in Pierre with other South Dakota leaders for the benefit of all.”

Steinhauer has been active in many community organizations, including Rotary International, Downtown Sioux Falls, Sioux Empire United Way and Sioux Falls Tomorrow. He is also a member of the Murdo Chamber of Commerce.

Steinhauer and his wife of 40 years, Cindy, have two children and nine grandchildren. They are members of St. George Church in Hartford.

And with that, we have 5 Questions with State Representative Wayne Steinhauer:

 I have a varied background in business and civic activities that will help me understand the complexities of the issues facing the state.   After 14 years on the Minnehaha County Planning Commission I have grown in my appreciation for the give and take that can occur between an individual’s needs and those of the community plus the role government can play.  Previously I spent a dozen years on the Sioux Falls Planning Commission which facilitated my involvement in tax increment financing, Main Street Sioux Falls (now Down Town Sioux Falls), RISE, the river greenway, bicycle plans, ordinance changes and the like.   My prior work with the Sioux Empire United Way helps my awareness of the social issues we face and the great organizations we have.   I have been a senior executive in an international manufacturing firm but I also own a small Best Western Motel in Murdo SD.   So I have a unique view of the issues facing both large and small business.   Additionally, owning a motel in Murdo increases my awareness of the issues faced by a small community dependent on our two biggest state industries; Agriculture and Tourism.

Not so much yet, but I am reaching out to leaders in this area to learn all that I can.  Within days of my appointment I met with the superintendents of both Tri-Valley and West Central School districts to learn more about the issues they are facing and initial thoughts on the task force report.

That is an interesting question.   Even after checking with my wife, Cindy, I would have to say that I am very aligned with the stereotypical concept of a Republican.   That said, I would like to think that I am very open to listening to both sides of an issue and looking for creative solutions that might not always be mainstream.

Clearly there are several significant issues that will take considerable focus; teacher pay, and Medicaid expansion for example.   Speaker Wink has informed me that I will be on the Transportation and Commerce & Energy standing committees.  I also am very interested in Local Government issues and believe my background may be of benefit in this area.

Most important to me at this time is preparing to do a good job during the upcoming session.  I think I must first prove that I am a capable legislator and then later focus on a campaign.   That said, I believe that by reaching out to those in my district to get their opinions on issues will serve me well in a future campaign.

 
As you can see from the above postcard, which I received from a lobbyist, on December 5th, State Democrats will be shilling for dollars and cozying up to state lobbyists to raise money for their elections.

Would that include some of the same Democrats who were helping to circulate the Taxpayer Funded Campaign Act which as part of the measure limits lobbyist gifts and donations to elected officials?

Damn, that’s ironic.

Have you clicked on the link at the top left of the page to make a donation to the Augustana College Republicans to attend CPAC in March? They’re at 47% of their $5000 goal.  In case you’re wondering why:

One of the greatest opportunities for young conservatives to hit the ground running is the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in Washington, D.C. in March, 2016. The conference hosts thousands of conservative leaders, and is even hosting a few of the Presidential Candidates who are fighting for Republican Nominee. CPAC is a bootcamp for young conservatives: it engages them in the political process, creates networks, and provides hands-on learning about how college students can relay their political experience and skills onto their campuses; thus sharing conservative values, engaging more students into one of most important parts of being an American citizen.

That’s where you come in. Augustana University Republicans want to take as many students as possible. Our goal is to take 18 students to Washington, D.C for four nights during the conference. We will use the funds to pay for flight tickets, transportation to and from the airport, and lodging.

As the conference is in Washington, D.C in March, we are trying to reach our goal of $5,000 by the end of January 2016 in order to book flights for 18 students. As any conservative knows, hard work and dedication will reap results. We know that with hard work and dedication, we can make this trip affordable for 18 college students.

Read that here.

It’s a far more educational experience than they could ever receive in a classroom with some liberal professor. It’s real, and you can help them achieve it.

Click on the image, or go here, and send them a few dollars to help them along their way. They are the party’s future, and you can help shape it.

You might notice this morning that we have a new advertiser on the right hand side of the page – Redstone Law firm, LLP.   And actually, they’re not a new law firm. It’s the group of attorneys that make up Murphy, Goldammer & Prendergast, LLP who have changed their name.

So, why Redstone? It’s actually steeped in South Dakota history. It’s a reference to the quartzite that’s used all over South Dakota. As noted in one article:

…One afternoon when we were free, one of the local people who was very interested in historical stuff took us on a tour around the area and pointed out one of these monuments. I had lived in South Dakota and North Dakota all my life and had never seen or heard of them. It was a combination of my sense of history and fascination with quartzite.

When we went to Sioux Falls, we were surrounded by it — streets, curbs, buildings and houses were made out of quartzite, and I thought it was the most beautiful stone I had ever seen. It’s now crushed and used as aggregate in highways. If you drive Interstate 29 near Watertown and Brookings, S.D., and the concrete is wearing off, you see a pinkish hue to the concrete. That’s quartzite.

Q. What’s the story behind the monuments?

A. Sen. Richard Pettigrew was a senatorial representative when we were Dakota Territory. When South Dakota came into the union, he was one of the first U.S. senators from that state. He was a surveyor, a developer and a real go-getter.

Pettigrew wanted to develop Sioux Falls. There were about four or five railroads coming into the city. He probably had interests in all of them. He also wanted to develop the quartzite industry — the quarry industry. There were whole communities in Sioux Falls that were made up of stone cutters. Many of the buildings in Sioux Falls were made of quartzite and many of the buildings on the St. Augustina College campus were made of quartzite.

Read that here.

And in Sioux Falls, the “Red Stone” or pink quartzite is also the material the old County Courthouse is constructed from, hence another reference to the term:

So, as I ask you to do for all of our advertisers, please take a moment to visit their website, and to patronize the Redstone Law Firm!

And don’t forget to do the same for Senator Thune, Americans for Prosperity, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, and the Rushmore PAC.