Category: Uncategorized

The most unlikeable man in South Dakota, Toby Doeden, is shooting off his mouth again.

This time, on his revamped website, he’s making a completely unsubstantiated claim that the Republican legislators ousted in the 2024 Primary election were somehow corrupt:

“In 2024, he launched Dakota First Action, a political action committee that helped conservative outsiders win many elections across the state, ousting a dozen corrupt career politicians along the way.”

The guy who funded his PAC with an illegal donation (which he later claimed was a loan), is trying to say that people like Senator Jean Hunhoff, former Mayor of Yankton & one of South Dakota’s longest serving legislators or Rep. Bryon Callies, a National Vice Commander of the American Legion were somehow corrupt?

What a complete d-bag.

Rounds Leads Legislation to Extend Reporting Deadline for Emergency Tribal Care 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today reintroduced legislation to extend the reporting deadline for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who seek emergency care outside of IHS facilities. The IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act would extend the emergency notification requirements of IHS’s Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) program from within 72 hours to 15 days.

“Nobody in an emergency situation should have to have the bureaucratic paperwork process of the IHS at the top of their mind,” said Rounds. “In an emergency, patients need to be able to seek care at the closest facility that can adequately address their needs without worrying that the IHS won’t reimburse costs. Asking them to report this care within 72 hours after a medical emergency is unrealistic and has contributed to significant medical debt in tribal communities. Currently, IHS offers one of the shortest windows to submit emergency claims out of any government-run health care system. This legislation would fix that.”

“Medical emergencies are emergencies – people can’t choose when and where they occur,” said Cortez Masto. “In a crisis, IHS patients should be able to seek care at the closest hospital without worrying about having to fill out burdensome paperwork after an emergency.”

“We thank Senator Rounds for his leadership to help improve Indian health care,” said Gay Kingman, Executive Director of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association. “As he knows, many of our IHS patients have limited means and a clear avenue to secure assistance is critical to the provision of good health care and to improve health outcomes. These are life and death matters.”

“The last thing a medical patient should have to worry about is paperwork during a healthcare emergency,” said Frank Star Comes Out, President of Oglala Sioux Tribe. “The Indian Health Service’s current 72-hour emergency PRC reporting window places an undue burden on tribal members. We thank Senator Rounds for consulting with tribal leaders on this issue and working to find potential solutions. The restrictive rules of the PRC program need to be addressed. We look forward to working with the Senator to ensure existing flexibilities are included in the bill and get it across the finish line.”

“Tribal members are already subject to a number of strict rules when accessing Purchased and Referred Care resources,” said Wayne Boyd, Treasurer of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. “It is unrealistic for IHS to expect patients to report PRC claims when dealing with life threatening injuries or illness. I thank Senator Rounds for working with tribal leaders and taking a common-sense approach to address this issue.”

 IHS beneficiaries are subject to a number of restrictive rules when seeking outside care; however, few of these rules are as problematic as the emergency reporting deadline. Currently, in emergency cases, the patient must notify the PRC office within 72 hours of receiving outside care. Native American patients determined to be elderly or disabled are given 30 days to notify the IHS of emergency medical care received from non-IHS medical providers or at non-IHS medical facilities.

The IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act would increase the window for timely consideration of emergency care payments to 15 days for all IHS beneficiaries. This excludes reporting requirements for patients considered to be elderly or disabled, which will stay at 30 days.

Click HERE for full bill text.

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The March 2025 FEC Report for the South Dakota Republican Party has been filed.  While the new leadership group has not STILL filed anything indicating that they’re in charge, despite FEC Requirements, the old group is closing out their books.

And as members of past SDGOP Leadership have been warning for months, the SDGOP’s toxicity, and county parties not helping has not been good to their bottom line.

March 2025 SDGOP FEC Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

The SDGOP raised a whole $32.00 in the period between 2/1 – 2/28/2025.  That’s $32 as in dollars, not $32,000. They did also get back $53.68 in bank fees/interest, which helped to double their fundraising for the month. This comes against $8358.88 in expenditures, leaving the SDGOP $49,250.01 for the new group to play with.

The new crew did manage to get the SDGOP website under their control.  But, as noted, they can’t seem to get their filings done, as neither the FEC nor the SDSOS have updated contact information.

 

I saw an item from the kooky canvassers (a.k.a., the election goofballs) on facebook where for the last day they have been going absolutely apoplectic because it appears that McPherson County State’s Attorney, and son of former Republican State Rep. Charlie Hoffman, has been appointed to the State Board of Elections. While not on the SOS website yet, according to the State’s Board and Commissions website:

This was an excellent appointment, as Hoffman has experience with some of the battles that have taken place over the last year where the election hand-counting kooks have pressed to dump election machines, such as in this story from the Dakota Scout:

Hand-counting all of the June 4 primary ballots in McPherson County proved the process is a waste of time and money.

That was the take of McPherson County State’s Attorney Austin Hoffman after a secondary audit of ballots on Tuesday.

and..

The hand-counting resulted in four missed ballots (eight missed tallies) in the District 23 House Republican primary, Hoffman said.

“In my view, that’s not acceptable for an actual election,” he said.

Hoffman said concerns about vote tabulators have “no merit whatsoever.”

Read that here.

To say the election kooks hate him, might be an understatement, as evidenced from Rick Weible using “Pillow-guy Internet TV” to specifically call out Hoffman in the middle of a rant where he attacks then Governor Kristi Noem back in March of 2024:

“So I want to warn the rest of the country, you’d better be careful who your VP pick is going to be. I’m calling it out right now. And then also Representative Darreld(?), shame on you, Representative Rehfeldt, shame on you. Representative Reimer, the prime sponsor of this? You are disgusting. I want to make sure and call out every one of those, that they need to be primaried, immediately.”

and..

“And these two attorney’s – Sara Frankenstein, how dare you represent the laws..in South Dakota.. and not be there for the people? And then a special.. special one.. Austin Hoffman, how dare you go to your county commissioners and sit there and quote statutes that are actually repealed and try to use that as an excuse to dee-reel.. derail the petition process in your county and the decisions making of your county. I would implore those county commissioners to start an investigation to find out what other lies that he’s told them.”

Read that here.

And don’t think Austin sits there and just takes it – because he’s not afraid to point out facts, and call them out for their BS:

Over the last several years, Mr. Klipfel and other members of the Executive Board have used those positions to push personal agendas. They have used the McPherson County Republican Executive Board as a vehicle to move forward an anti-CO2 pipeline agenda, an unfounded election integrity agenda, and most recently to push a blatantly false and incorrect narrative that myself, as State’s Attorney, am attempting to push a resolution that would violate First Amendment freedom of speech rights. The first two items I mention are inappropriate. The latter is absurd.

and..

“I have no issues with someone disagreeing with me politically or unhappy with the decisions I make as McPherson County State’s Attorney. Everyone has the right to their opinion. But using one’s role as Chairman of the McPherson County Republicans to make incorrect and false accusations, to push personal agendas, or to complain about legal bills they created, is an entirely different story.”

(You can read that here.)

In other words, he’s not afraid to face off with these election nonsense goofs, using logic and the law. So they don’t care for that.

Of course, they had some choice comments about his new position:

Not thinking that’s how that works..  Oh, here’s a great one:

Uh oh!  “File a complaint with Marty Jackley.”  I hate to tell this gal that Marty is well aware of Austin. And knows just what to do with him:

Attorney general announces first Open Meetings Commission hearing in nearly four years
(From SD Searchlight)

The current five-member panel consists of State’s Attorneys Austin Hoffman of McPherson County, Katelynn Hoffman of Turner County, Lance Russell of Fall River/Oglala Lakota County, Michael Smith of Clay County, and Emily Sovell of Sully County.

He appoints him to boards and commissions as well!   We’ll see how far they get with that one.

So, Congratulations appear to be in order to Austin for his apparent appointment!

(And apologies to him on behalf of not-crazy South Dakotans in advance for what he’s going to have to listen to on the Board of Elections.)

Thune: We Are Just Getting Started

 “Republicans are working to deliver for the American people.”

Click here to watch the video.

 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor

Thune Calls Out Democrats’ Willingness to Shut Down the Government

 “Democrats need to decide if they’re going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they’re going to shut down the government.”

Click here to watch the video.

Gov. Rhoden Signs Bill to Address Property Taxes

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed his bill to address the rising burden of property taxes on South Dakota homeowners, SB 216. He signed this bill at a signing ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, and you can find a photo of the signing here.

“SB 216 is a win for South Dakota homeowners,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This bill is impactful and workable, and it will certainly slow down any future tax increases.”

SB 216 addresses the property tax burden on homeowners in the following ways:

• Limits the increase in owner-occupied assessments to 3% countywide for the next 5 tax years;
• Sets a 3% cap on the amount taxing districts and school capital outlay budgets can increase as a result of new construction – local government budgets don’t need to grow just because a homeowner makes a small improvement to their property; and
• Increases the maximum income limits for the assessment freeze program to $55,000 for single member homes and $65,000 for multi-member homes – the bill also increases the maximum eligible home value to $500,000.

“I am grateful for all the legislators who worked with me to get this bill passed. The discussions and negotiations that occurred along the way are a sign of good process,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden. “This bill was an important step forward, but we are not done bringing property tax relief to South Dakotans. I am working on a proposal for a real property tax cut and will share more details on that proposal in the near future.”

Governor Rhoden has signed 126 bills and VETOED one this legislative session.

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Gov. Rhoden VETOES HB 1132

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden VETOED HB 1132, which would have expanded the child care assistance program beyond the low-income families that it is meant to prioritize. Governor Rhoden outlined the reasons for his VETO in a letter to the House of Representatives. You can find a copy of the letter here. You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden VETOING HB 1132 here.

“House Bill 1132 shifts South Dakota’s child care assistance program away from its core mission,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden in the letter. “Currently, the program is designed as a safety net to help low-income families cover child care costs while they work toward self-sufficiency. This bill would give child care workers preferential treatment, by allowing them to receive this aid at a higher income level.”

The Department of Social Services has been actively implementing solutions to address the child care shortage in South Dakota, including:

• Shifted to weekly payments for child care assistance, which aligns with industry standards;
• Raised reimbursement rates by 18% to better compensate providers;
• Launched the ChildCare605 Campaign highlighting the value of child care professionals;
• Invested $115 million in stabilization grants, tuition relief, and expansion;
• Gave scholarships for free training to 130 providers, funding 47 associates degrees;
• Provided the Pathways to Professional Development career ladder to recognize child care professionals’ growth;
• Launched the Early Childhood Enrichment Resource Hub to provide tools, policies, and curriculum resources for educators;
• Gave free training and CPR certification for thousands of Early Childhood Enrichment System providers;
• Trained child care administrators on business and leadership skills; and
• Provided coaching, grants, and resources to improve program quality through Quality Recognition System.

“The Department of Social Services has been actively implementing solutions to support the child care industry and workforce. These solutions focus on sustainable approaches and do not involve expanding our state’s safety net program beyond its intended purpose,” continued Governor Rhoden. “The state’s role in promoting our child care workforce should be supporting economic development and encouraging private sector solutions – not broadening government safety nets into permanent workforce subsidies.”

Governor Rhoden has signed 125 bills and VETOED one this legislative session.

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Gov. Rhoden Signs 19 Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed the following 19 bills into law:

• SB 15 expands the policy advisory committee for animal damage control;
• SB 25 clarifies the adoption and use of the plumbing code;
• SB 66 revises certain provisions related to capital improvements of state buildings;
• SB 76 repeals reporting and testifying requirements to the committees on health and human services regarding nursing facilities and long-term healthcare needs;
• SB 77 updates terminology related to ambulance operators;
• SB 78 authorizes a change in bullet diameter for use in taking certain animals;
• SB 80 revises provisions regarding students and trainees engaged in the practice of funeral service;
• SB 83 revise the penalty and provides treatment for the ingestion of certain controlled substances;
• SB 110 revises licensure and supervision requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants;
• SB 116 revises and repeals provisions related to street racing prohibitions and provides a penalty therefor;
• SB 135 exempts a motor vehicle insurer from a certain title fee;
• SB 155 reduces the amount of net receipts of unclaimed property deposited into the general fund;
• SB 174 includes certain types of vehicles in the abandoned titling process;
• SB 179 modifies requirements for off-road vehicle dealers at special events;
• SB 193 allows an applicant to have an interpreter present during the driving portion of a driver license exam;
• HB 1094 modifies laws regarding school bus safety and provides a penalty therefor;
• HB 1192 removes the maximum fee permitted to be charged by a notary;
• HB1195 revises a provision related to the termination of parental rights of a child adjudicated abused or neglected; and
• HB 1196 updates Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to include provisions related to virtual currency and notice requirements.

Governor Rhoden wrote a letter to the legislature on his decision to sign Senate Bill 83, and you can find that here.

Governor Rhoden has signed 125 bills into law this legislative session.

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Final Ballot Explanation Released for Proposed Draft Constitutional Amendment on Legislative Changes to Initiatives

PIERRE, S.D. – The final ballot explanation for a draft constitutional amendment, proposed by Rick Weiland of Sioux Falls, that would require legislative changes to initiatives and referendum procedures be approved by a vote of the people has been released by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Marty Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. He has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the proposed constitutional amendment to help assist the voters.

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow the Legislature to pass legislation that changes or repeals laws affecting initiative and referendum procedures. The legislation does not become effective unless approved by the voters at the next general election.

The constitutional amendment would require 35,017 valid petition signatures to qualify for the 2026 general election ballot. The ballot explanation can be found here.

For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.

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