Category: Uncategorized

A friend of mine pointed out something the other day that’s more and more poignant as the days roll by.  In many instances lately, we seem to have a deepening trend of rule by the mob holding sway, as opposed to the rule of law winning the day.

In one case recently, after getting close to the finish line and months of outreach to the involved communities, a wind project was pulled off the docket at the Public Utilities Commission:

One week after a community meeting drew 300 people to the Avon gym and revealed how deeply they were split, the backers of the Prevailing Winds project asked to withdraw their application for a state permit on Aug. 30.

Chris Nelson, chairman of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, described the request as “unexpected.” The filing came shortly before the commission began its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 30.

and…

The project called for constructing up to 100 wind towers north of Avon in Bon Homme and Charles Mix counties. It would have produced an estimated 200 megawatts or more of electricity. State law requires PUC approval for wind project that generate more than 100 megawatts.

and…

“Unfortunately, misinformation has been circulated about the project. Keeping the interests of the community and the project in mind, Prevailing Winds has withdrawn the application to allow Prevailing Winds to better inform the community on the wind project and allow Prevailing Winds to revisit its options regarding the project.”

Read it here.

The withdrawal of the wind farm project came as a surprise, and came about as a mob of people in the area objected to the footprint of the large scale wind project.

Related in this tale are the far more egregious actions of what’s happening in North Dakota right now as mobs are vandalizing equipment and attacking pipeline workers as they attempt to stop a pipeline that’s met all the regulatory burdens… that none of the protesters took part in:

Over the weekend protesters aiming to obstruct the Dakota Access Pipeline staged a violent riot, breaking down a fence and attacking a group of security personnel who used mace and guard dogs to defend themselves.

In the wake of the riot, the tribe sought to explain the violence suggesting it was justified because the pipeline company (according to the protesters, anyway) was destroying historic artifacts

and…

In other words, Archambault’s message is peace, unless the pipeline does something the protesters don’t like.

It’s always a bit chilling when people begin to rationalize violence as a means to their ends.

Read that here at sayanythingblog.com.

Probably the biggest difference between the two projects is that the one opposed by those more conservative protested with words and prepared to take part in hearings. The one opposed by the liberal radicals attacked people and vandalized equipment.

It’s all well and good for those on both the right and left to act to stop energy transmission. But, when it’s all said and done, don’t we need both?

If you want new technologies to supplant existing ones (as in wind to take over from oil), you actually need to develop and expand the use of those technologies, so they can start to decrease in cost, and make their development affordable.

If you want to keep lights on, cars running, farmers farming, homes warm in the winter, and do it all at affordable energy prices, then trespassing violent protests of pipelines that have already completed the regulatory hearing process is just utter lunacy, and an affront to the rule of law.

When you get down to it, it’s in each sides’ vested interest in the battle over new energy versus old energy to support the expansion of the other’s capabilities & research. Their interests are tied together.

Or we could all say forget it. And light our homes with torches that we once carried aloft to the protests.

Stolen from Facebook, State Rep Lee Qualm had a crew in the Wagner Parade this past weekend. And volunteers got camo-campaign shirts? Why weren’t we informed? No one else is doing that, dang it. That’s well worth a walk in the parade!

 

“What it comes down to is this – Argus Leader Media isn’t anybody’s marketing tool.”

–Patrick Lalley, Argus Leader News Director.

Does that mean that they won’t be taking Steve Hildebrand or Rick Weiland’s calls anymore..?

Ending Washington’s Red Tape Addiction
By Sen. John Thune

One of the worst-kept secrets in Washington is that federal regulators rarely encounter an issue to which more red tape can’t be applied. While anecdotally it’s duct tape that can fix anything that’s broken, Washington bureaucrats seem to believe red tape can fix anything – whether it’s broken or not. I often wonder if the people who make these rules and regulations have ever traveled outside the beltway to see exactly how their actions impact hard-working people in states across the country, because if they did, it’s hard to imagine how they’d reach the same conclusions.

According to a recent study by the American Action Forum (AAF), federal agencies in the Obama administration have issued 600 major regulations – with a negative impact of $100 million or more per regulation to the economy – since the president took office. AAF has determined these major regulations have burdened the U.S. economy by $743 billion, or roughly $2,300 per American. For perspective, if you stacked 743 billion $1 bills on top of one another, they would reach more than 50,000 miles into the air, the equivalent of two full trips around the Earth.  

In addition to $1.7 trillion in tax increases on President Obama’s watch, this dramatic expansion of government has resulted in stagnant wages, record low participation in the work force, and the worst economic recovery in 60 years. In fact, the Obama presidency will be the first ever not to achieve at least 3 percent economic growth for a full year.

Regulations aren’t metaphorical. They aren’t written and then shoved in the back of a book for someone to read about years later. Heavy-handed federal rules and regulations can have a real impact on the American people and make it more difficult and more expensive to create jobs and earn a living. In an economy where wages are flat and the cost for just about everything else in our daily lives has gone up, we should avoid squeezing families any more than they already have been.  

Not all regulations are bad regulations. For example, I think most people in South Dakota would agree that individuals or businesses shouldn’t be allowed to dump toxic substances in our lakes or rivers. Doing so would threaten our water supply, and it would put the health and safety of our communities at risk. I would venture to guess most of those same common-sense people would also agree that the federal government shouldn’t be regulating common activities of private property owners who happen to have small ponds or ditches in their backyards, which is what the EPA has tried to do with its Waters of the United States Rule.   

One of the most effective ways to create change is by having a president – the leader of the executive branch and its agencies – who is opposed to an over-regulated America. The best part about this option is that South Dakotans and the rest of the American people get a direct say in its outcome, and there’s no greater or more powerful voice than that.         

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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.)