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Rounds Introduces Legislation to Eliminate U.S. Department of Education

Legislation would return education to local control, redistribute critical programs to existing federal Departments

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act” which would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and redistribute all critical federal programs under other departments.

The Department was created in 1979 with the goal of collecting data and advising schools across the U.S. on best practices. In the 45 years since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy with a budget that’s 449% larger than it was at its founding. Despite the Department spending $16,000 per student per year, standardized test scores have been dropping over the past ten years, further displaying the Department’s ineffectiveness on the quality of education for American students. Any grants or funding from the Department are only given to states and educational institutions in exchange for adopting the one-size-fits-all standards put forth by the Department.

“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student, and it’s long past time to end this bureaucratic Department that causes more harm than good,” said Rounds. “We all know local control is best when it comes to education. Everyone raised in South Dakota can think of a teacher who played a big part in their educational journey. Local school boards and state Departments of Education know best what their students need, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

“For years, I’ve worked toward removing the federal Department of Education. I’m pleased that President-elect Trump shares this vision, and I’m excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year.”

Despite its inefficiencies, there are several important programs housed within the Department. Rounds’ legislation would redirect these to Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor and State:

 

Department of the Interior

• Native American-Serving Institutions Programs
• Alaska Native Education Equity Program
• American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
• Indian Education Formula Grants and National Activities
• Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program
• Native Hawaiian Education
• Special Programs for Indian Children
• Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Program
• Impact Aid Programs

Department of the Treasury

• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
• Federal Family Education Loan Program
• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• Federal Pell Grant Program
• Health Education Assistance Loan Program
• Education Sciences Reform Act

Department of Health and Human Services

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• American Printing House for the Blind
• Helen Keller Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults
• Federal Real Property Assistance Program
• Special Education Grants

Department of Labor

• All Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education programs
• National Technical Institute for the Deaf
• Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program
• Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants

Department of State

• Fulbright-Hays Program

Click HERE for full bill text.

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As mentioned yesterday, the confederate group of Republicans held a forum last night for people they find acceptable to serve as the next SDGOP chair. I didn’t watch myself, as my wife made soup, and a bowl of homemade soup was far more important – and substantive – than a three-hour complete clown show.  But for those who subjected themselves to this act of electronic self-flagellation, here’s what we found out.

Starting off, imagine you asked a group of 70+ year olds to join a Zoom meeting. That was exactly what you got. One correspondent offered “So bad. Unorganized and people didn’t know how to run zoom mic or camera. I jumped ship once I realized how nutso it was being run.”

I believe it was 45 minutes –  maybe an hour later before they got into the speeches of those who want to take over the party. Three candidates each given 45 minutes. What can go wrong?

From “Attempted Conversion” Lee Qualm, what did we find out?

Qualm declared – “I support no exceptions for rape and incest.” ….because the SDGOP chair has anything to do with abortion policy…?  Well, this is the same ex-majority leader who was part of the House leadership team that the Governor had to take to the woodshed because they declared a dress code that women could not be sleeveless, had to wear nylons, and no skirts above the knees. So I’m not sure that we would expect anything else in a speech from Qualm running for chairman of the party.

And it got better. State Senator Erin Tobin made a couple of statements which triggered Qualm family members to attack her. She encouraged meeting participants to do better, and to lead with morals and values..

Of course, they booted her out of the meeting..

About the only other thing we found out is that he would have Marli Wiese as his vice chair. Bylaws require the vice-chair to be of the opposite gender of the chair, so there’s that. We will see if the nylons and no-sleeve rules still apply.

Ezra Hays was the next candidate to speak. And interestingly, no one really had anything noteworthy or memorable to remark. About the only report I got back was that he said “one of the most valuable things that I did during the amendment H campaign was going outside of the party (for fundraising).” 

Given that his fundraising numbers were less than impressive that would not bode well. At all.

Hand County Commissioner Jim Eschenbaum tried to use the word unity, but said the divide in the party can not be fixed because “we have politicians and people who are establishment players and they want to play politics” among other random words and noises that exited his voice box.

Eschenbaum spent more time attacking Sen. Thune, Governor Noem, a majority of the legislature and others, as well as declaring that the party should be involved in primary elections because that’s our wrestling match.

We did also find out some of the standards being applied by some County Republicans participating in the meeting during his talk:

Which gives you a pretty good snapshot of what the incoming chair will be dealing with.

The three-hour zoom meeting might seem like comedy, but it’s equally tragedy that any of these three options are all that’s interested in leading the state’s largest political party right now.

I and many other people active in the Republican Party hold out hope that a leader may yet emerge who is up to the challenge and willing to take on the task.

Because so far, none of the people campaigning are it.

Rounds’ Legislation Headed to President’s Desk to Rename South Dakota Post Offices after Fallen Service Members

Legislation Honoring First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martin and Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that two of his bills to rename South Dakota post offices in Huron and Sioux Falls after fallen service members have passed the House and await the President’s signature to make them law. Both of the bills passed the Senate on April 23, 2024.

First introduced in November 2023, S.3267 will designate the Huron Post Office as the “First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martin Post Office Building.” Originally from Huron, 1LT Martin was a 5th generation Beadle County Martin whose great-great-grandfather homesteaded northeast of Huron in the 1880s. 1LT Martin was born in Huron and later moved around the country due to his parents’ active duty service that moved the family out of South Dakota. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1998 and would go on to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. 1LT Martin died during combat operations on October 14, 2007 while serving his country in Iraq.

First introduced in June 2023, S.2143 will designate the Downtown Sioux Falls Post Office as the “Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing Post Office Building.” Staff Sgt. Rolfing was born and raised in Sioux Falls and graduated from O’Gorman High School. He was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Carson, Colorado. Staff Sgt. Rolfing died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq on June 30, 2007. He was killed by small arms fire while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Arabian Peninsula.

“1LT Martin and Staff Sergeant Rolfing represent the best of our nation,” said Rounds. “These two men gave their lives in defense of not only our nation but the freedoms we stand for. The naming of these Post Offices in their honor will stand as a reminder to all who visit about the true cost of freedom. Thank you to my House colleagues who supported these two pieces of legislation. I look forward to seeing them signed into law.”

“Our family is so honored to have a prominent building named in memory of our son, in the city I grew up in, and where two of our four children were born,” said Ed Martin, 1LT Martin’s dad. “Our family is confident that Tom’s legacy will live on for years, as those who pass by the Huron Post Office will give cause to pause and research who he was, what he stood for, and why our beautiful historic Huron Post Office is named in memory of our Tom.”

“We would like to thank Sen. Rounds and the American Legion Auxiliary for continuing Robb’s legacy of service to his country,” said Staff Sgt. Rolfing’s parents, Margie and Rex Rolfing.

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Johnson IHS Reform Bill Advances out of Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.).

Johnson introduced the bill in March to reform the Indian Health Service (IHS) and protect Native Americans’ credit. In April, he testified in the Natural Resources Committee on behalf of the bill.

“Tribal members are often left to foot the bill on a health care charge that isn’t theirs to pay,” said Johnson. “My bill would right this error and ensure the Indian Health Service pays the bills it owes. I’m glad the Committee agrees with this commonsense legislation and advanced my bill today. IHS must do better.”

“Representative Johnson’s bill will help tackle longstanding issues arising from the untimely reimbursement of claims by IHS for services purchased from and referred to providers outside the IHS. Under no circumstance should a Native person ever pay for approved Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) or be penalized for IHS’s lack of payment. By ensuring the IHS, and not Tribal citizens, are liable for PRC payments and any associated medical debt, this bill will meaningfully improve the patient experience at IHS. We appreciate that his Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act establishes a timeframe for reimbursing patients who paid out of pocket for authorized PRC services. We thank Representative Johnson for his dedicated leadership on these issues and for listening to the concerns of Tribes and tribal health care advocates. We look forward to working with Representative Johnson to enact this bill,” said Frank Star Comes Out, President, Oglala Sioux Tribe.

The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024 would:

• Ensure that IHS – not the tribal citizen – is liable for payments for PRC services that are or were authorized by IHS.
• Direct the Secretary to notify PRC providers and patients that the patients are not liable to any provider or debt collector for charges associated with authorized PRC services.
• Permit IHS to establish and implement procedures to allow patients that paid out-of-pocket for IHS-authorized PRC services to be reimbursed by IHS no later than 30 days after a patient submits the necessary documentation.

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Thune: The Days of the Biden Border Crisis Are Numbered

 “Securing our border and removing those who have entered our country illegally are at the top of President Trump’s priority list. And the Republican Congress is committed to doing everything it can to help him.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the historic national security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border created by the Biden-Harris administration’s reckless policies. Thune noted that President Trump and the Senate Republican majority will work together to end the lawlessness and inhumanity at the southern border.

Shhh.. Don’t tell anyone.

The confederate group of break-away county Republican party organizations led by Bon Homme GOP County Chair Stu Cvrk are hosting their super-secret candidate forum where they trying to winnow down their select and pre-vetted candidates to be the next State GOP Chair, from a list that was publicized earlier today featuring “honest” Lee Qualm (Lost last 2 elections) , Ethanol opponent Jim Eschenbaum (Won County race), and Ezra Hays, who wants to use the party to exact their values from candidates, (and has never run for office).

Why am I not confident this would represent anything other than the bottom of a bell curve.

Their zoom forum is being held tonight, and is a super-secret private meeting limited exclusively to active SD GOP state central committee members who are members of county delegations (chairman, vice chairman, state committeeman, state committeewoman).  Notice this cabal does not want to hear from elected officials, precinct people, or the hundreds of people who make the Republican Party work, so you’re not allowed to participate in the confederacy’s candidate vetting. So, don’t participate in the meeting being held tonight via zoom at 7PM CST / 6PM MST.  And I’m sure they don’t want any outsiders to participate. So, unless you’re on their special list,  you should absolutely NOT join the zoom meeting with the following codes: 

Join Zoom Meeting. – https://zoom.us/j/92189292425?pwd=QCQP6ELHUQQu1ltxAyWCKWRy2mvZB4.1
Meeting ID: 921 8929 2425
Passcode: 149826

And they really don’t want you to know their agenda, which includes having the candidates answer such questions as

Putting back together what they just spent much of 2024 burning down..

1. **Party Unification**

   – How do you plan to address divisions within the party and foster unity among members with differing viewpoints?
– What specific initiatives would you implement to ensure all factions of the party feel represented and respected? How would state central committee members participate directly in those initiatives?
– Can you share a time when you successfully unified a diverse group to achieve a common goal?

Bringing in more Democrats to the Republican Party, as well as DEI efforts…

4. **Party Building**

  – What strategies do you have to attract independents and conservative Democrats to the Republican Party?
– How would you tailor your messaging to appeal to voters who are not currently registered Republicans?
– What initiatives would you promote to build a more inclusive and welcoming party environment?

How they will enforce the party’s will on elected officials, and how will they punish people for platform violations…

6. **Accountability to the US and State Constitutions and GOP Platform**
– How will you ensure that the party remains accountable to both the US and State Constitutions, as well as the GOP platform?
   – In what ways would you promote adherence to constitutional principles and the state GOP platform among elected officials and party members?
   – How would you address situations where party members or officials act in ways that contradict the party’s principles?

And at the very end, they bring up that pesky thing about how they intend to pay for their grandiose plans after these groups have spent the last year NOT donating to support the state Republican Party. 

11. **Budgeting and Execution
   – What are your top-level budgeting plans?   

You would think as opposed to asking about their DEI efforts, and controlling what candidates say and do, the State GOP’s primary role – fundraising and candidate recruitment – would garner a primary focus as opposed to it being the final item. Or in the case of candidate recruitment not be mentioned at all.

So, candidates, elected officials, activists, precinct committee people, make sure you don’t join the super-secret zoom meeting at 7PM CST / 6PM MST by using the following links..

Join Zoom Meeting. – https://zoom.us/j/92189292425?pwd=QCQP6ELHUQQu1ltxAyWCKWRy2mvZB4.1
Meeting ID: 921 8929 2425
Passcode: 149826

Because they don’t want you to hear what they plan to do to control you, at the same time they can’t raise any money to get you elected.

From facebook, after this morning’s text message announcing his resignation from the State Legislature, Representative-elect Chris Reder is now walking his statement back:

This might be indicative of how close the vote in the House is as much as anything, as Reder is considered a member of the hard-right and was an attendee of the October rally in Sioux Falls with Mark Robinson.

Stay tuned.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune led action in the Senate to put the brakes on plans by Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer to load the Senate’s remaining schedule for the year with Democrat judicial nominees

Senate Republicans opted to delay votes and draw out floor action on Monday night after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sought to stack additional judicial confirmation votes on the calendar ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Two sources familiar told Fox News Digital that the plan to slow down the Senate was spearheaded by Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who was recently elected as the next Republican Senate leader.

“If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong,” Thune told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement.

Read it all here.

Building Pathways for South Dakota’s Future: Summit Carbon Solutions Advances with Statewide Permit Application
Company Celebrates Collaborative Efforts with Landowners as Permit Application Begins Formal Review Process

Ames, Iowa [November 19, 2024] – Summit Carbon Solutions announced today the submission of its permit application to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), marking a major milestone in its effort to develop a transformative infrastructure project that benefits landowners, agriculture, and communities statewide. This filing reflects extensive engagement with South Dakotans to create a pipeline route shaped by direct stakeholder feedback, supporting agriculture and advancing energy innovation.

“This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen South Dakota’s agricultural future while advancing energy innovation,” said Lee Blank, CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions. “By working hand-in-hand with landowners and communities, we’ve developed a project that balances progress with respect for those directly involved. Together, we’re creating a pathway to new markets and lasting economic growth for generations to come.”

The 2,500-mile pipeline, including 700 miles in South Dakota, will transport CO2 from 57 ethanol plants across five states, including 14 in South Dakota and Gevo’s planned SAF plant near Lake Preston. The majority of CO2 volume will be safely and permanently stored in North Dakota via Class VI injection wells, but excess capacity will be available to support next-generation fuels like e-SAF and green methanol, along with uses in water treatment, food processing, and dry ice production, driving regional economic growth.

“To lead in domestic energy production and support local farmers, we should advance critical infrastructure like the Summit pipeline—driving economic growth and strengthening rural communities around Lake Preston,” said Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “This pipeline will help unleash homegrown energy solutions and benefit hardworking Americans.”

The application also highlights major reroutes in Spink, Brown, McPherson, and Lincoln Counties, along with numerous micro-adjustments, resulting from more than a year of one-on-one work with landowners to find mutually agreeable solutions.

“With the submission of this application, we’re one step closer to realizing tremendous opportunities for South Dakota’s biofuels industry, as well as for our farmers and communities,” said Jeff Lautt, POET President and COO. “This milestone moves us forward in strengthening our agricultural economy, enhancing local markets, and positioning South Dakota as a leader in low-carbon energy solutions for years to come.”

This submittal comes on the heels of a North Dakota Route Permit from the NDPSC last week. Summit Carbon Solutions plans to begin construction in early 2026, with operations starting in 2027. The company remains committed to working collaboratively with South Dakota landowners and communities to develop a project that strengthens the state’s agricultural legacy while paving the way for energy innovation.

About Summit Carbon Solutions:

Summit Carbon Solutions is driving the future of agriculture by expanding economic opportunities for ethanol producers, strengthening the marketplace for Midwest-based farmers, and creating jobs. In developing the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world, the company seeks to connect industrial facilities via strategic infrastructure to store carbon dioxide safely and permanently in the Midwest United States. For more information, visit www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.

The winds of change are sweeping through South Dakota politics, and with the changing weather will come lot of opportunities for advertisers to get their message out to “those in the know” of South Dakota politics and and community opinion leaders as we count the days until the next legislative session, and we begin the 2026 cycle with all of it’s potential races!

In the 2025 legislative session, there will be literally a third of the legislature who has never been there before, as well as a few who returning who have been absent for a few years, or a decade or more.  So they are going to be information hungry. Add to those the rest who regularly monitor the pulse of the process as readers – whether they love the website or hate it – and that’s a lot of legislators to get your message in front of. Not to mention the thousands who are clicking on this website daily for the latest in political news, gossip, and whatever else the state’s leaders are up to.

In February, South Dakota War College will celebrate an incredible 20 years of keeping an eye on political leaders, and offering commentary from a conservative Republican point of view. Whether people in the Republican Party like me or not at any given moment.  So, for those who love me, and those who hate me, either way you can trust that I’m. not. going. anywhere.

Advertisers – I have a number of spots open, and questions on ad prices, ad positions, and ad commitments may be directed to the webmaster by clicking here. Lots of open space available at the moment, such as the #1 spot on the left available, as well as spots #2, 3 on the right, and spots on both sides lower on the page. Ads run in their position through the site, meaning they are not rotated.  Advertising is available on a first-come first-served basis, and discounts are provided for extended commitments.

Please don’t forget to check out our current advertisers including Summit Carbon Solutions promoting the healthy commerce of ethanol for years to come, Governor Kristi Noem, US Senator John Thune, Dusty Johnson for US Congress, and Senator Mike Rounds.

And drop me a note if I can hook you up with ad space!