Category: Uncategorized

It’s Time to Act on South Dakota’s New State Penitentiary
By Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen
July 25, 2025

For years, South Dakota has grappled with the fact that its 144-year-old State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls needs replacement, yet consensus on where and how to build it has remained elusive.

Governor Larry Rhoden created the Project Prison Reset task force earlier this year to achieve consensus to solve this problem. Governor Rhoden challenged us with a straightforward mission of answering three questions: 1) Determine if we need a new penitentiary; 2) Decide what kind of facility we should build; and 3) Recommend where it should be located.

The task force included legislators, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. Over the course of four public meetings, we toured facilities, studied data, heard more than eight hours of public testimony, and reviewed hundreds of written comments. Our work was conducted openly, and every voice, whether supportive or skeptical, was heard.

Our open and transparent process worked. Task force members who began on opposite sides came together to unanimously recommend a plan that South Dakota can and should support. In fact, we voted unanimously in our answers to each of Governor Rhoden’s three questions.

The task force unanimously recommended that the aging penitentiary be replaced with a 1500-bed facility, built to last 100 years, at a cost not to exceed $650 million. Our contractors are confident they can sharpen their pencils and reach this target.

This design includes a modern intake for new inmates. It also enhances rehabilitation by including the same programming spaces as the proposed Lincoln County design, including increased space for education, treatment, medical services, and re-entry programming. It is a massive improvement over the existing facility and will allow us to do a better job preparing inmates to reenter society, so they do not re-offend and return to incarceration.

More than a dozen potential sites were evaluated, and two locations in northeast Sioux Falls emerged as the best options. Both offer ready access to utilities and emergency services, an easy transition for staffing, and a location in the city and county that has already been home to the state penitentiary for more than a century. They rate just as well as the previously proposed Lincoln County site. Although there will be some transition costs in changing locations, the Sioux Falls sites also save us approximately $18 million due to ready access to existing utility infrastructure.

South Dakota is fortunate that Governor Noem and legislators set aside the funds to pay for a new prison. We also do not need to cut corners. We have seen other states, in weaker financial positions, make difficult decisions to build cheaper, shorter-life structures, and to exclude programming spaces. Our strong financial position means we don’t have to take those shortcuts. We can build high-quality facility now and avoid even higher costs in the future. And we will also avoid having to bond for this facility, which will save South Dakota taxpayers over a half-billion dollars in the long-term.

The task force’s recommendation was unanimous. It represents a hard-won compromise by people who began with very different views. We listened, we adjusted, and we found common ground. Now, we must act.

Every month we delay, costs go up – due to inflation, rising material costs, and ongoing maintenance of our aging facility. South Dakota has the money to do this. We can pay for this project without new taxes or debt. It’s time to move forward, put this issue behind us, and build the penitentiary our state needs for the next century. Let’s get this done – for public safety, for fiscal responsibility, and for the future of South Dakota.

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Tony Venhuizen serves as the 40^th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota. At Governor Larry Rhoden’s direction, he served as Chairman of the Project Prison Reset task force.

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Undoing Biden’s Border Disaster
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
July 25, 2025

BIG Update

Congressional Republicans and President Trump have made historic progress in securing the southern border. Border crossings of illegal immigrants are at a record low, and the One Big Beautiful Bill provided funds to finish the border wall and hire thousands more immigration enforcement officials.

The United States can never let the border return to the state of crisis seen under the Biden Administration. I introduced the Furthering American Security by Tempering Environmental Regulations (FASTER) Act to require future administrations to act swiftly to maintain a secure southern border. This legislation will require the administration to evaluate border security infrastructure and technology on a regular basis and address any issues in a timely manner, securing the border for generations.

Johnson joined Fox News Radio to discuss his legislation. You can listen here or by clicking the image above.

BIG Idea

Sanctuary cities that allow anti-ICE rioters to destroy transportation infrastructure often turn around and ask the federal government to foot the bill for the repairs. This behavior is beyond the pale.

Under the Biden Administration, sanctuary cities like Boston housed migrants in our airports. A city official in Los Angeles has even gone so far as to call for violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Political violence can never be tolerated.

I introduced a bill to prohibit any U.S. Department of Transportation funds from going to sanctuary cities who don’t comply with federal immigration law. My bill sends a message to state and local governments – if they want the federal government’s help, they must play by the rules.

Johnson speaks with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who expressed support for Johnson’s bill to prohibit DOT funds from going to sanctuary cities.

BIG News

In March, a woman was convicted for her part in methamphetamine distribution as part of a Mexican cartel operation on the Pine Ridge Reservation. This led to the deportation of two cartel members, who had already been deported numerous times.

This week, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on the impact of cartels and drug trafficking in Indian country. I encouraged the FBI to prioritize enforcement efforts on South Dakota reservations. These cartels do not care about the safety of Pine Ridge or the rest of South Dakota. The federal government should work with tribes to allocate resources to combat these bad actors.

Click here or the image above for Johnson’s remarks.

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Republicans Put Families First
By Sen. John Thune

Strong families make America stronger. That’s why Republicans put families first in crafting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. We set out to make a law that supports parents and families and creates a brighter future for the next generation. I’m proud to say we’ve delivered a number of pro-family wins in this bill.

That begins with giving families some breathing room in their budgets. In 2017, Republicans’ Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered taxes for working families, but that tax relief was set to expire this year, meaning South Dakota families faced a $2,500 tax hike next year. We were determined not to let that happen. So the One Big Beautiful Bill Act locks in lower tax rates permanently, meaning families won’t have to worry about a bigger tax bill – not next year and not ever.

We went further than just making lower rates permanent. We made additional reforms that support working families, like increasing the child tax credit to $2,200 and linking it to inflation, which means it will increase over time. We strengthened measures that encourage employers to offer paid family leave and child care. And we created new investment accounts for newborns – with an initial $1,000 deposit – that can be used down the road for education, to start a business, or buy a first home and get a running start on the American Dream.

Raising a family is stressful (and expensive) enough, and this bill ensures that parents can keep more of their hard-earned money to spend, invest, and save how they see fit. Alongside lower taxes, this bill will also help generate growth in our economy, which will create jobs, expand opportunity, and lead to bigger paychecks. One estimate suggests a typical family will see take-home pay increase by as much as $10,900 in the next four years. That will make a big difference for working families across America.

I’m proud that along with pro-family policies in this bill, we’ve also achieved a significant pro-life victory. With the signing of this bill, and beginning on July 4, 2025, the biggest abortion providers in the country will not receive federal Medicaid funding for an entire year. Many Americans don’t want to see their tax dollars funding abortion, and this bill ensures they won’t. This is the first pro-life legislation to be signed into law in a number of years, and we’ll continue working on additional legislation to uphold the dignity of every human life.

This was a consequential bill, and I’m proud of what we accomplished to protect life, strengthen families, and create a brighter future for our children. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is about stronger families, promoting a culture of life, and restoring the American Dream for our children. We have more work to do, and we’re going to keep our focus on these priorities.

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UNET Announces Drug Seizure and Arrests Made in Pennington County

PIERRE, S.D. – The Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) announces the arrest of two individuals on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, following an ongoing investigation into illegal drug trafficking in Western South Dakota. The arrests resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl and MDMA.

Terrell Arthur Wilkins, 41, and Leannah Raine Vitalis, 27, both of Rapid City, were taken into custody and face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Each has been charged with:

• One felony count of Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• One felony count of Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Cocaine)
• One felony count of Distribution/Manufacturing of Controlled Substance Schedule II (MDMA)
• One felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• One felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Cocaine)
• One felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (MDMA)
• One felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule I (Hashish)
• One misdemeanor count of Possession of Marijuana (2 ounces or less)
• One misdemeanor count of Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Additionally, Leannah Vitalis, was charged with:

• One Felony count of Possession of Controlled Drug/Substance Schedule II (Oxycodone)

The arrests stem from an investigation led by UNET, which determined that fentanyl and cocaine were being transported into Rapid City from Colorado.

A traffic stop conducted by a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper in Pennington County led to the apprehension of both suspects. During the stop, law enforcement seized approximately:

• 126.9 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 100 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl
• 6.6 grams of MDMA
• 0.3 ounce of marijuana

Both individuals are currently being held at the Pennington County Jail. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

UNET is a task force led by the South Dakota Attorney General’s South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and includes personnel from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Division of Criminal Investigation. UNET partners closely with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Army National Guard, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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 South Dakota Attorney General Jackley Warns South Dakotans of Storm Weather Repair Scams

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley warns South Dakotans impacted by recent severe weather to be careful of transit vendors offering to do storm repairs.

“In the aftermath of severe weather, scammers often prey on vulnerable homeowners with promises of quick and cheap repairs,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We urge residents to be cautious, don’t rush into agreements, always verify contractors, and report any suspicious behavior.”

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division recommends citizens:

• GET a price quote in writing with the name of the business listed.
• ASK to see their sales tax license to ensure they can do business in South Dakota.
• COMPARE prices of local businesses to make sure you make the best decision.
• DON’T pay in full prior to the completion of the job.
• CHECK to make sure all suppliers have been paid before making the final payment – you don’t want liens placed on your property for unpaid supplies.

Consumers who have questions or who believe they may have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or at https://consumer.sd.gov/.

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Toby Doeden and his minions are lamenting the loss of Hulk Hogan today.

Others out on the internet aren’t so sure they are 100% with that…

Could we see ‘big beautiful data centers’ being built in South Dakota sooner than later?  It might just be so if President Trump gets his way:

President Trump signed a trio of executive orders related to artificial intelligence (AI) on Wednesday, focusing on boosting data center construction and the adoption of American technology while targeting “woke” AI.

and..

The data center order calls on the Council on Environmental Quality to establish new categorical exclusions for certain data center projects that “normally do not have a significant effect on the human environment.” It also seeks to identify projects that qualify for expedited permitting review.

Read it here.

This could mean great things for the future of data centers and economic development in South Dakota.

That is, unless we find a way to screw it up.

Rounds Introduces Legislation to Cut Federal Red Tape, Build Housing Faster

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), both members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced bipartisan legislation to address the critical shortage of housing across the country and create more affordable paths to owning a home for more Americans. Together the Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act and the Better Use of Intergovernmental & Local Development (BUILD) Housing Act would streamline the federal housing environmental review process to responsibly increase housing production and boost overall supply and lower cost.

“Too often, Washington demands paperwork for the sake of paperwork. Many Department of Housing & Urban Development-funded activities have no real environmental impact, yet communities are forced to waste time and taxpayer dollars proving it,” said Rounds. “I have heard consistently from housing professionals in South Dakota that this kind of red tape delays housing and drives up costs. That’s why Senator Kim and I introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to cut through the bureaucracy and help communities focus on building homes instead of filling out forms. I want everyone in America to be able to achieve the American dream of owning a home, and this bill gets us one step closer by creating more housing and lowering costs.”

“We have a housing crisis in this country and it’s holding too many back from achieving the American dream,” said Kim. “I see this all the time in my home state. Families who just want the security of a roof over their head that’s theirs; something they can pass down to the next generation. These bills won’t solve all the problems, but they’ll help make sure we’re building more and faster to increase opportunities and lower costs. These aren’t just Democratic or Republican problems and they’ll require both parties working together. It’s why I’m proud to work with Senator Rounds to collaborate on these solutions and look forward to working to get them passed in committee and onto the Senate Floor.”

The bills aim to address the housing affordability crisis by making it faster and more efficient to rehabilitate existing buildings and start construction for new residential properties, as well as modernize regulations in places where development costs are extremely high. Nationwide, there is a shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for low-income families, with more than 70% of low-income families paying more than half their income on rent.

Thanks to commonsense policies, South Dakota ranks as the second most affordable state in the nation. Yet, more than 18% of renters are spending over half their income on rent, a clear sign that housing challenges persist and federal red tape contributes to higher costs.

The Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act would modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process for housing projects/services funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including by:

• Modernizing the NEPA review process by reclassifying certain HUD-funded housing projects to be subject to more pragmatic and tailored environmental review frameworks.

• Speeds up critical repairs and safety improvements for homeowners by streamlining outdated review requirements.

• Removes roadblocks to converting vacant office space, building infill housing, and revitalizing existing homes—so communities can build more housing, faster.

This legislation is endorsed by Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Mortgage Bankers Association, Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Neighborworks Association, National Council of State Housing Agencies, Housing Assistance Council, American Planning Association, National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Up for Growth, Inclusive Abundance Initiative and Habitat for Humanity International.

Representative Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Chairman of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, and Representative Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) are introducing the companion legislation in the House.

Click HERE to read full bill text.

The BUILD Housing Act aims to modernize the NEPA review process by increasing capacity sharing between HUD and states and localities, including by:

• Bringing HUD standards in line with other agencies by giving it authority to delegate and coordinate with some housing reviews for HUD grant programs to states and localities.

• Giving HUD more flexibility in the review process by allowing the agency to designate housing assistance as “special project funds.”

This legislation is endorsed by Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Neighborworks Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Council of State Housing Agencies, Housing Assistance Council, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, American Planning Association, National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Up for Growth, and Inclusive Abundance Initiative.

Click HERE to read full bill text.

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So Toby Doeden was having an event in Pierre at the Ramkota tonight..

That crowd is looking a little light tonight in the most political city in South Dakota. Told at least a couple were there because of a legislative meeting in Pierre today.

Christine Erickson Announces Campaign for Mayor of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD – Surrounded by family, friends, and community supporters, Christine Erickson officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of Sioux Falls at a public event on July 19.

“I’m running because I love this city,” Erickson said. “Sioux Falls is full of opportunity, and we must make smart decisions now to ensure a strong future for the next generation.”

A lifelong South Dakotan and former At-Large City Councilor, Erickson emphasized her commitment to public safety, fiscal responsibility, and workforce development. She pointed to her leadership on the Council-where she supported investments in police, technical education, and tax relief for low-income seniors- as proof of her results-driven approach.

Since leaving the Council, Erickson has served as President of the South Dakota Auto Dealers and Trucking Associations, working with business leaders and lawmakers across the state.

Bob Deelstra, a local business owner and member of the SD Auto Dealers Association, also spoke at the event, ‘Anyone who knows Christine has a ‘Christine Story,’ referring to a time she waded through red tape for their business. He also called Erickson “a strong, common-sense leader” and someone who “embodies the spirit of Sioux Falls.”

Erickson concluded by pledging to lead with integrity, listen to all sides, and keep Sioux Falls safe, growing, and focused on the future.

“Let’s make Sioux Falls better-together,”she said.

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