Category: Uncategorized

South Dakota Public Schools Coalition Announces Poll Results: Voters Oppose Education Savings Accounts by Wide Margins

The South Dakota Public Schools Coalition announced the results of a recent statewide poll confirming South Dakota voters overwhelmingly oppose the implementation of education savings accounts, also known as school voucher programs.

Pierre, SD – January 27, 2025 – The South Dakota Public Schools Coalition announced the results of a recent statewide poll confirming South Dakota voters overwhelmingly oppose the implementation of education savings accounts, also known as school voucher programs.

According to the poll:

• By a 36%-58% margin, voters oppose “a school voucher program, also known as education savings accounts, where the state gives parents tax dollars that pay for their student to attend a private school or be homeschooled rather than a public school.”
• This opposition includes parents of public school students (21% of the electorate), who oppose the proposal by a 33%-58% margin.

The opposition to vouchers is primarily driven by the belief that South Dakota’s K-12 schools are already underfunded:

• A clear majority of voters (57%) believe that South Dakota public K-12 schools receive too little funding, with only 9% saying they receive too much funding and 20% stating the funding is about right.
• Those who believe South Dakota’s public schools receive too little funding oppose the voucher proposal by a massive 19%-77% margin.

Instead of sending taxpayer money to private schools, lawmakers must focus on public schools—where 83% of children attend—not fund two school systems. The best way to improve education in South Dakota is not to divert money to private schools but to invest in improving public schools, as South Dakota currently spends much less per student than nearly 40 other states and over $7,000 less than the national average.

Voters also realize that most rural and small-town communities in South Dakota do not have private schools, so taxpayer-funded vouchers will mostly help students in more populated areas of South Dakota, as funding will be drained from rural schools and taken elsewhere.

These poll results clearly indicate that South Dakotans value their public schools and are concerned about the negative impacts of diverting public funds to private education. Our public schools are already struggling with insufficient funding, and the state is facing a lean budget year and several proposed cuts. Creating these so-called education savings accounts would only exacerbate this issue.

The South Dakota Public Schools Coalition urges lawmakers to consider the strong opposition from voters and prioritize the funding and support of public education.

The poll was conducted by American Viewpoint from January 13 to 15, 2025, with a sample of 500 general election voters and a margin of error of +/—4.4% at the 95% confidence level.

Ok. I think I’ve seen about everything now.  I pulled up a story via my inbox from the Dakota Scout, and 2/3 of the way down, this was in their advertising block: Wait, what?  Not Ready for Prime-time GOP Chair wannabee Lee Qualm has apparently dropped an ad on Dakota Scout in his campaign to be State Republican Party chair. Which if memory serves, is around $1k a month or more.  And it doesn’t link to anything.

I can’t help but notice the double-speak of the content when he self-claims that he’s “trustworthy.”  I think there’s at least a sibling or two that might not use that term if you remember past coverage of their lawsuit against him.  They might (and did) refer to his actions as “oppressive,” “violates their due process rights” and called his actions “attempted conversion.” In case you’ve forgotten about the lawsuit which I covered about a year ago, you can read it yourself:

..this formed the basis of the lawsuit filed in June of 2022; Lynn Qualm, Doreen Qualm, Joel Qualm vs. Lee Qualm, Trudy Qualm, L. Qualm & Sons, Inc.

Lee Qualm Conversion Lawsuit by Pat Powers on Scribd

The allegations contained in the lawsuit are somewhat shocking, as they claim an alleged scheme by the former leader of House Republicans in the legislature and his spouse to transfer stock into their own names.

The lawsuit alleges that annual corporation board of directors meetings ceased in about 1998. And starting in 2013, were said by the lawsuit to have put in place rules which transferred shares upon the death of minority shareholders. By the time that the stock transfers came to the attention of Qualm’s family members and the lawsuit was filed, Lee Qualm had already assumed a majority ownership of the holdings through transfers, seemingly without paying.    As noted in the lawsuit, the stocks were transferred “for no consideration,” violating the family members’ due process rights, and was “attempted conversion.”  And demand was made for the former Majority Leader and his wife to restore shares to the estates to Luvern and LaVonne Qualm.

Read that entire post here.

But I suppose if you’re trying to sell yourself as chair of the SDGOP, “trustworthy” is a better talking point than “attempted conversion.”

And let’s not forget what was noted in the minutes of a November 2024 GOP Chair hopeful forum held by a group of Republican County organizations about one of his goals if elected chair, which included turning the SDGOP into an anti-vaxxer group advocating his nutty position:

Candidate 1 – Lee Qualm Introduced himself and noted he would be calling everyone. — Goals:

• Educate State GOP and take a stand for/against vaccines – each measure should be studied and decisions based on Constitution and Platform. Provide information and use resources similar as to what has been done on RM 21 – petitions, radio ads, etc.

Remember that from November here.

“Educate State GOP and take a stand for/against vaccines.” 

*Sigh* I could go on, but you get the point.

Is the Republican Party about winning elections, or is it now the soapbox for crackpots? Because that’s when we start to lose elections.

It’s just disheartening that those of us who wish the SDGOP success in coming elections to have to look at the possibility as someone like this as one of the only three options.

State Senator Sydney Davis will be hosting Coffee & Conversation for her constituents this Saturday in Dakota Dune at the Cup O’ Joy Coffee Bar & Deli from 8:30 to 10:30.

Check it out!

In case you missed it..

Rounds to Chair Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee in 119th Congress

Rounds has served as the top Republican on the Subcommittee since it was founded in 2017 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today announced he will once again serve as Chairman of the SASC Subcommittee on Cybersecurity during the 119th Congress.

“I am honored to once again lead the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,” said Rounds. “Our armed services defend our nation in five domains: air, land, sea, space and cyberspace. As cyber technology has rapidly evolved in recent years, our need to effectively use it for our national defense is more important than ever. We must make certain the Department of Defense has the personnel and tools to respond swiftly and decisively to cyberattacks as well as the ability to conduct offensive cyber operations when the situation dictates. I look forward to working with my colleagues and members of President Trump’s administration to continue our progress in bolstering the cyber capabilities of the Department of Defense.”

Rounds has been the top Republican on the Cybersecurity Subcommittee since it was formed in 2017, serving as Chairman during the 115th and 116th Congresses and Ranking Member during the 117th and 118th Congresses. The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity was first established by the late Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), who also served as Chairman of SASC.

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Governor Rhoden Announces Staff Changes

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced changes to his staff in the Governor’s Office. You can find Governor Rhoden’s staff page here.

“My team is ready to hit the ground running. After careful consideration, I am retaining the vast majority of the current staff and cabinet. They are hard-working folks who are focused on South Dakota,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “However, I am also making some changes.”

Mackenzie Decker will serve as the Governor’s Chief of Staff. Mackenzie has worked for state government for 12 years, joining the Governor’s office over two years ago. She has worked for several state agencies including the Department of Labor and Regulation, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the Department of Revenue. She graduated from South Dakota State University and earned her master’s in administration and organizational leadership from the University of South Dakota. 

Matt Michels will serve as Senior Advisor and Counsel to the Governor. Michels previously served as the 38^th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019 under Governor Dennis Daugaard. He was a Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1999-2007, including Speaker of the House from 2003 to 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Dakota (USD) and a Juris Doctorate from the USD School of Law. 

“Mackenzie Decker has proven her tenacity as a leader in the office and will thrive as my Chief of Staff. And I am honored to have a strong advisor like Matt Michels joining our team,” continued Governor Rhoden. We are ready to get to work to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.” 

Ian Fury will continue in the role of Director of Communications and Unborn Child Advocate, though he will not serve as the Governor’s media spokesperson. A spokesperson has been hired and will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, please direct media inquiries to Mackenzie Decker at Mackenzie.Decker@state.sd.us. 

Darin Seeley will continue his leadership as Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. He will no longer serve as Chief Operations Officer in the Governor’s Office. 

Beth Hollatz, who served as Senior Advisor for Governor Kristi Noem, will retire from state government service on February 1. Beth had previously worked with then-Congresswoman Noem for eight years. 

Governor Rhoden has made a few other adjustments to staff responsibilities in the Governor’s Office, ensuring an exceptional team is in place to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free. Scheduling requests for Governor Rhoden can also be submitted on the Governor’s website. 

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Attorney General Jackley Announces Ex-State Employee Pleads Guilty, is Sentenced For Using Family-Use Voucher for Personal Use

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a former South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) employee was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to using a DSS grocery voucher, intended for families in need, for personal use.

Amalia Escalante Barrientos, 28, of Brookings pleaded guilty Monday in Brookings County Circuit County to one misdemeanor count of Obtaining Money, Property or Assistance by Fraud from Social Services or Related Programs. She was then sentenced to 180 days in jail, all suspended; a $400 fine, $96.50 in court costs, and $449.98 in restitution

“This is another example of an individual using their power to abuse their position for personal gain, hurting those in need and the reputation of hard-working state employees,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The Attorney General’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute cases to regain the public’s trust in state government.”

An investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) found that the defendant had used the voucher, which is provided by DSS to families the department works with, to purchase groceries for her own personal use. The incident occurred at a Brookings business on Oct. 11, 2024.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigated the case and the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.

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State Representative Will Mortenson had some comments after what he remarked was the largest crowd he’d seen in a crackerbarrel in over 5 years in Highmore, SD. And he’s indicating they spoke with a singular voice to demand “No Vouchers!”

Mortenson also remarked that the public is fired up to protect their schools and students.

Larry Rhoden to be Sworn In as 34^thGovernor of South Dakota

Larry Rhoden announced his plans to be sworn in as the 34th Governor of South Dakota. The oath of office will be administered on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11:00 am CT/10:00 am MT by Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen in the Governor’s Office. The brief ceremony will be open to the press.

 A larger, public swearing-in ceremony will be held on February 8, 2025, in the State Capitol Rotunda. That ceremony will be open to the public and will be followed with a Capitol Ball that evening in the State Capitol Rotunda.

With Governor Noem’s resignation, and Larry Rhoden preparing for being sworn in, the biggest question remaining is who will he pick as lieutenant governor?

There are lots of names being floated around, but the top three I keep hearing over and over are State Representative Tony Venhuizen, former lieutenant governor Matt Michels, and former State Representative/Sioux Falls City Council member Christine Erickson.

The pick may come from this group, as they all offer certain skills and advantages, or it may be none of the above.

Who will the next lieutenant governor be? You may start your speculation …now!