Just in time for Earth Day – Yankton County Commission endorses Keystone XL

Hey – great Earth Day news. The Yankton County Commission, recognizing that transport by pipeline is far safer than truck or train, is endorsing the Keystone XL Pipeline’s construction. According to WNAX:

The Yankton County Commission passed a resolution in support of Trans Canada and the Keystone XL pipeline.

Mark Johnson, with Trans Canada, says they are looking for backing in advance of the next round of hearings on the re-certification of the XL route before the Public Utilities Commission next month…

Read (And listen to) it here.

Rounds part of Tea Party Solutions Book

From a Release:

RELEASED: Tea Party Solutions Book
Includes submissions from Senators Rounds,  Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and
30 Other Members of Congress, Foreword by Steve Forbes

Washington, D.C. – Contrary to the common narrative regarding the Tea Party movement as being against everything, conservative Members of Congress are offering up dozens of new ideas to solve America’s economic woes. Tea Party Express released a new book titled, “Tea Party Solutions for America: Congressional Plans for Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth,” which highlights some of these ideas.

The book is being released digitally at TeaPartySolutionsForAmerica.com – a domain hosted by the new social publishing platform, Medium.com. The 33 different articles will be released over a three-week period as part of a special digital publication, however, journalist may download the book in its entirity by clicking here. Senator Rounds’s piece my be viewed digitally here. The public may also request a hard copy of the book at www.TeaPartyExpress.org.

Tea Party Express Executive Director Taylor Budowich said, The Tea Party movement has been successful in electing an unprecedented number of conservatives to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.  Republicans now enjoy more Members of Congress since 1928.  Our goal is not just to elect people to office, but to change the policies in Washington.  The call from the Tea Party movement has been to reduce the size, cost and intrusiveness of the federal government, rein in the national debt, and end anti-growth tax and regulatory policies that are denying too many people their share of the American Dream.

“The electoral success is not the ultimate goal.  The Tea Party Express was created as a political action committee to change the players in Washington as the means to change the policies.  Ultimately, the Tea Party’s contribution and success should be measured by the ideas to reform government that are introduced, debated and enacted into law.  The first step was Congressional control, and the final step will be winning the White House in 2016.  Now, however, is the time to bring forward the new ideas that will transform our government to be more responsive to the American people and provide for less government and more dynamic economic growth.

“Now, after finishing the sweep of Congress, this book unveils the fresh, conservative, idea-based face of the new GOP. While some have tried to define the Tea Party with labels, the truth is that it’s a movement driven by ideas. That’s why some in the media may be surprised at the broad range of contributors we’ve included in this book. Republicans from every corner of the nation, with different backgrounds and constituencies, are all championing Tea Party ideas.

“Since the Tea Party’s inception, activists have capitalized on the democratizing nature of digital platforms to organize events and share ideas. That’s why, along with the physical copy of the book that we will be making available for free, we are utilizing Medium.com, an innovative social publishing platform, to release this book digitally. TeaPartySolutionsForAmerica.com will serve as an online publication, providing the individual authors with the ability to deliver their ideas directly to their constituents.

“This book does not include every idea out there, nor does it try to suggest that there is only one viable solution to a problem. However, with so many in the media falsely characterizing the Tea Party by claiming that the movement should be defined by our opposition to a reckless growth of government, this book presents many thoughtful, Tea Party solutions to problems that face America,” Budowich concluded.

The following are contributors to the book:

Senator Steve Daines (MT) Senator John Barrasso, M.D. (WY) Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-1) Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-3)
Senator Rob Portman (OH) Senator Jeff Sessions (AL) Congressman Steve Scalise (LA-1) Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) Congressman Dave Brat (VA-7)
Senator Rand Paul (KY) Senator Chuck Grassley (IA) Congressman Steve King (IA-4) Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-1) Congressman Curt Clawson (FL-19)
Senator Mike Rounds (SD) Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-2) Congressman Scott Perry (PA-4) Congressman John Fleming, M.D. (LA-4) Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-2)
Senator Mike Lee (UT) Congresssman Ted S. Yoho (FL-3) Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-5) Congressman Bob Goodlatte (VA-6)
Senator Mike Enzi (WY) Congressman Tom Price, M.D. (GA-6) Congressman Pete Olson (TX-22) Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-4) Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-3)
Senator Marco Rubio (FL) Congressman Tom Graves (GA-14) Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) Congressman Jim Bridenstine (OK-1) Congressman Dave Brat (VA-7)

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Todd Epp @ KSOO: Dems hire new ED, but won’t tell anyone who.

Todd Epp is writing this afternoon on how the State Democratic Party has possibly hired a new Executive Director. But, there’s a catch – despite Ann Tornberg being 3-4 months late in hiring someone, she won’t say who, because it’s a secret. (Like the candidates they have running?)

According to a source well-known to me who has a history of reliability, the South Dakota Democratic Party has selected a new executive director. Finally, about three months later than they said they would.

But the party of open government in South Dakota won’t reveal who the person is, even though the SDDP leadership has apparently set their salary and benefits.

My source says the speculation is that the person is somehow involved with the federal courts, where political activity is strictly verboten! The new ED also may have worked for former Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Read it all here.

Anyone know who the poor soul is that we need to send a condolence card to?

 

A new addition to my button collection – Our 4th Governor Charles Herreid

herried_SD_Gov_4

I just got this sweet button in the mail today – a campaign pin for Charles Herreid, South Dakota’s 4th Governor. From Wikipedia:

Herreid was elected Lieutenant Governor of the new State of South Dakota from 1892 to 1896. He chaired the Republican State Central Committee from 1898 until 1900, when he was elected governor. Herreid, a Republican from Eureka, South Dakota, served from 1901 to 1905. He had previously served as the third Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 1893 to 1897 under Governor Charles H. Sheldon.

Read it here.

Delegation Applauds Transition of 28th Bomb Wing under Global Strike Command

Delegation Applauds Transition of 28th Bomb Wing under Global Strike Command

-Transition further solidifies Ellsworth as a premiere Air Force Base, helps ensure B-1 fleet remains cornerstone of our air defense-

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today praised Ellsworth Air Force Base’s announcement that the 28th Bomb Wing will be moving under the control of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The official transition will take place on October 1. The command structure of the Air Force divides the Air Force into 10 major commands. Although AFGSC will be the controlling command for Ellsworth Air Force Base and the B-1B bombers, Air Combat Command (ACC) will continue to oversee the M-Q9 Reaper control stations located at Ellsworth, and will remain the controlling command for the Powder River Training Complex. This change will only impact the Air Force command structure that oversees Ellsworth and the B-1 bomber fleet. No personnel changes at the base will take place as a result of this decision.

“I applaud the Air Force’s decision to transition the 28th Bomb Wing under Global Strike Command,” said Thune “As the Air Force begins planning ahead for the Next Generation Bomber, moving all the bomber wings under one command will allow for a smoother transition. Air Combat Command will still maintain a role at Ellsworth, continuing its command of the recently expanded Powder River Training Complex (PRTC), and the control stations for the M-Q9 Reapers operating overseas. This transition further solidifies Ellsworth as a premiere U.S. Air Force Base and helps ensure our B-1 fleet remains the cornerstone of our air defense and global strike force. I thank the Air Force personnel who tirelessly worked to make this transition a reality. The men and women who serve at Ellsworth continue to make our state and nation proud.”

“I applaud today’s announcement by the Air Force, which underscores the important role Ellsworth Air Force Base continues to play in our national security,” said Rounds. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I look forward to continuing to find ways to support Ellsworth and our service members stationed there.”

“Ellsworth Air Force Base and the resilient airmen there serve an integral role in our national security strategy,” said Noem. “Time and again, they’ve provided strength and reliability in the face of 21st century threats. Today’s announcement by the Air Force further reinforces Ellsworth’s place within the military’s strategic framework. I’m hopeful the transition to the new command will further enable Ellsworth to fly, fight and win.”

According to its mission, Global Strike Command seeks to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations. Currently, Global Strike Command is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the two B-52 wings, and the only B-2 wing.

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Long-time Republican, former legislator passes away

Walt Conahan, a former legislator who served in Pierre representing my neck of the woods, passed away on Saturday:

Mr. Conahan spent 25 years as a senior staff member for the United States Senate, House of Representatives, U.S. Commerce Department and National Transportation Safety Board in Washington before returning to South Dakota to serve for 13 years as the first full-time director of the South Dakota State University Foundation. 
He was press secretary to U.S. Sen. Karl E. Mundt (R-S.D.) and chief of staff for U.S. Rep. James Abdnor (R-S.D.). Later, while leading the SDSU Foundation, the voters of Brookings County elected Mr. Conahan to three terms in the South Dakota State Senate.

Read the entire Obituary here.

How about those announcements?

How about those announcements last night that Democrats were supposedly going to make for their candidates for Congress & US Senate?

Jon Ellis had noted on the 100 eyes program that an allegedly “good” congressional candidate was supposedly coming out as running at the dinner. Jeff Barth had said the party should be announcing for both offices.

But so far this morning, all we’re hearing are crickets:

The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee says South Dakota’s history of electing Democrats to Congress and the state’s “independent streak” will ensure competitive races in the 2016 elections.
And…
South Dakota Democratic Party Chairwoman Ann Tornberg says the party hopes to run candidates for both those seats. Wasserman Schultz says South Dakota has “a long history” of electing Democrats.

Read it here.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

And nada on candidates. Mark this rollout down as a FAIL.

Someone actively disavows any connection of performance to SDDP

if you recall my post yesterday with the note to the argus link that was inexplicably inactive.

 

KELO has a bit of explanation this morning:

 This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Bill Maher is not directly affiliated with any Democratic Party fundraiser as an earlier version of this story suggested. His performance is open to the public.

Read that here.

It’s sounding like someone went to the step of actively contradicting the word coming out of the SDDP.