Category: Uncategorized

Fighting Foes, Fostering Families
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
September 13, 2024 

BIG News

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is gobbling up land outside of China, and we’ve seen their attempts to purchase farmland in America. I’ve been vocal in opposition to the CCP’s purchases of our ag land – it’s a major threat to the security of our food supply. This week, I voted on dozens of bills that get tough on China. One of the bills, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, passed the House and would strengthen the U.S.’s review process for foreign purchases of American ag land.

I also voted to pass legislation to protect the U.S. from Chinese fentanyl, limit China’s leverage in the electric vehicle market, prevent U.S. dollars from going to Chinese biotech companies, and more. China is our biggest adversary – we should not fund their economy and military companies. I’m glad the bills this week take the threat of the CCP seriously and move the needle in the right direction.

BIG Update

Adoption is an incredibly meaningful way to complete a family. Each year, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) hosts the Angels in Adoption program for members of Congress to honor families who have chosen adoption. I wasn’t able to meet with this year’s honoree, but in my meeting with CCAI, I met with Deb and her son Matthew from Aberdeen. Deb has fostered more than 117 children. The Gathering Well was also part of our meeting. They provide support for the adoption and foster care communities in the Sioux Falls area. I appreciate them for sharing their stories with me and for their advocacy work to improve the lives of children.

 

BIG Idea

Light detection and ranging, or LiDAR, is a remote sensing technology that captures detailed three-dimensional maps of surrounding environments with millimeter-level accuracy. It’s used in the transportation sector in autonomous vehicles, drones, traffic control systems, railroad crossings, airports, and more. Allowing China to have such detailed access of our critical infrastructure is a major threat to our national security.

I introduced the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act to prohibit the Department of Transportation from using LiDAR technology and keep our sensitive data out of the hands of those who seek to undermine our nation.

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The Basics of Education
By: Gov. Kristi Noem  
September 13, 2024    

As I watch my grandchildren grow and learn, I’m reminded of something that I learned as a young parent: our kids are capable of learning far more (and more quickly) than we realize before we see it for ourselves. They watch everything that we do, and their little developing brains absorb it shockingly fast.

A two-year-old is capable of looking at two entirely different cups yet identifying both as “cup” because they understand what a cup is at its most basic level. It’s a very simple jump from saying “cup” to spelling “c-u-p” – and from there to actually reading.

American education has focused on teaching our kids to read by the time they complete 3^rd grade, and far too many students don’t even meet that expectation. But reading is actually pretty basic once you break it down to the phonics level. Many of us remember our own phonics instruction, but unfortunately “modern education” has all but gotten rid of it. South Dakota launched a strong investment into the Science of Reading this year, specifically by training teachers how to apply phonics education in their own classrooms. Once this method of teaching takes root, we will be shocked at how quickly our kids learn to read!

Education isn’t rocket science (it literally isn’t – until at least college, anyway). I know teachers work hard – they do God’s work making sure that our students are as prepared as possible for their future. But education doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be pretty basic, especially at the elementary level.

Our kids need to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. From there, they can apply those skills to obtain knowledge. Those basic skills teach them how to learn. And reading – more so than the others – can instill a love of learning that turns our kids into lifelong learners.

In South Dakota, we’ve revamped how our kids acquire knowledge in social studies. Their education in civics and history starts at a basic level then spirals into more in-depth knowledge – and these standards are raising the bar for what is possible in public education. But again, it isn’t rocket science – we focus on learning basic skills and then applying those to obtain real knowledge of America’s true and honest history.

Once our kids learn to read – and learn to love reading – they can go read some really great literature that teaches them more about our world. And we should empower both teachers and parents to inspire our kids to seek out that knowledge.

Our parents should be the ones who hold ultimate power in their kids’ education – and then their teachers should be the next at the table to take this trust and ensure those children get exactly what they need. And they need very little guidance from the outside.

The state has a role to make sure that all of our communities achieve basic standards for our kids. But honestly, I agree with people like Ronald Reagan who often expressed legitimate concerns about the federal government getting involved in the education of our kids. They send us money, sure – but South Dakota schools spend more money complying with federal regulations than they actually receive in federal funding. The power should be held first and foremost by parents, and with their permission, the teachers, then local school districts, then the state – and it should go no further.

We are going to be doing some powerful things in South Dakota education with these basic principles in mind. We’ve already accomplished a lot to restore parents’ role in their kids’ education and to support teachers as they educate our kids. And we’re just getting started.

I can’t wait to see my grandkids continue to amaze me with what they learn – and kids across South Dakota will do the same in every community every day.

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Attorney General Jackley Interprets South Dakota Constitution Requires Ballot Measure Sponsors to be SD Citizens

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that, in an answer to a question from the Secretary of State, that he interprets the State Constitution requires a sponsor of an initiated ballot measure to be a citizen of South Dakota.

In his letter to the Secretary of State, Attorney General Jackley recognized there is no explicit statue requiring a sponsor of an initiated measure to be a citizen of South Dakota. However, the South Dakota Constitution provides that a sponsor of a measure must be reserved to the “people.”

“My interpretation is that in 1889 our founding fathers were referring to ‘people’ in our Constitution as citizens of the State of South Dakota,” wrote the Attorney General.

The letter can be found here:

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No ridiculous $250 a head dinners here, as South Dakota Republican Women are doing it up right as they feature Republican candidates in a couple of weeks!

The South Dakota Federation of Republican Women are hosting a Candidate Meet and Greet on Thursday, Sept 26 in the Hotel Alex Johnson ballroom, with light appetizers and live music (harpist who will play background music.)

Public Utilities Commission candidate Kristie Fiegen is giving brief remarks at the end, and it’s open to all Republicans and free to attend!  (Although, I’m sure they’re always happy to take donations)

Put it on your calendar!

Thune: Harris Can Reverse Her Positions, But Not Her Record

 “Suffice it to say that after the past four years, no one has to wonder what Democrat governance would look like.  And I hope our country – and American families – will be spared another four years of it.”

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 to contrast Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent policy flip-flops with the Biden-Harris administration’s record of high prices, open borders, and weakness on the global stage. Thune noted that the American people need look no further than the last four years to see what Democrat governance would look like for the next four.

Anyone want to sound off about the debate last night?  I’m almost afraid to ask.

I found myself noping out of it part way through, and turning the channel. It didn’t instill a lot of hope for the future if this is the best we have to offer. It was just a lot of ..noise.  It was about eating pets and deflecting or just outright ignoring many of the questions that were actually asked.

I don’t trust Kamala when it comes to her campaign promises. And I gave up trying to get a coherent point from Trump. Instead of the drubbing he gave Biden in the last one, he seemed all over the place.

What was your takeaway?

From the Dakota Scout, Minnehaha County Commissioner Joe Kippley took County Auditor Leah Anderson to the woodshed for sowing distrust in her own elections. And making claims of CIA interference didn’t help her case any:

Kippley, who has been a frequent critic of Anderson and her distrust of the accuracy of electronic vote tabulators, asked her if she had regrets for sowing distrust about the 2020 election results.

“I feel completely vindicated calling that half-baked,” he said.

After issuing the June press release, Anderson went on to do online interviews with people who then said that she couldn’t rule out CIA interference in Minnehaha County’s 2020 election results, Kippley said. He called the people spreading those theories “useful idiots,” a term Soviet-era communists used for people who unknowingly spread Marxist propaganda.

“You have no credibility, and I, as one commissioner, ask you to resign,” he said.

and..

At the end of the meeting, Kippley took another shot at Anderson, saying she had burned her credibility and predicting she would generate lawsuits against the county. He called on the commission to create a contingency fund to defend potential litigation.

“Basically, this auditor is a walking lawsuit,” he said.

Read the entire story here.

It’s this kind of thing which makes me believe our democracy is in for a bumpy ride over the next few years, as we try to navigate ourselves past the paranoia and conspiracies.

From Facebook, US Senator Mike Rounds is momentarily grounded as he recovers from eye surgery:

Please keep Mike in your thoughts.

While the No on H campaign is sending out e-mail addresses, this morning the Yes on Amendment H campaign is sending things to e-mail addresses.

The Yes on Amendment H campaign sent out an e-mail asking people to Vote Yes on H, and also provided a link to a pretty good TV Commercial that the group ran during the olympics:

You can find out more at their website at www.sdopenprimaries.org.

Attorney General Jackley, Board of Regents File Complaint Against NCAA Settlement Plan on Behalf of SDSU, USD

PIERRE, S.D – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces his office and the South Dakota Board of Regents, on behalf of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, have filed a complaint against the NCAA, and its proposed settlement on its past conduct.

The complaint, filed Tuesday in Brookings County Circuit Court, alleges that a proposed $2.8 billion settlement between the NCAA and the “Power Four” conferences unfairly forces smaller schools like the South Dakota schools to be responsible for a disproportionate share of the settlement cost.

Money from such a settlement would go to mainly “Power Four” student-athletes whose earning potential while in college was restrained by the NCAA’s amateur rules. Attorney General Jackley said while student-athletes deserve the financial award for their hard work and efforts, the burden of the settlement should not fall on the smaller universities like the South Dakota schools.

“As a former college student-athlete, I believe strongly in a system that presents our athletes with opportunities to compete and treats all of our athletes fair and equal,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I am disappointed that our South Dakota athletes and universities are paying the price for a settlement that did not involve any of our conduct. This settlement unlawfully and blatantly discriminates against female student-athletes by limiting them to less than 10 percent of the proceeds.”

The complaint states that the Power Four conferences caused the “vast majority” of the damages that the settlement addresses, but those responsible conferences are being required to pay less of the financial burden.

South Dakota Board of Regents President Tim Rave said this is a fairness issue.

“The South Dakota Board of Regents, the Attorney General’s Office, and our universities are taking action to voice our concerns about the disproportionate allocation of our state’s Division I athletic programs in the proposed NCAA settlement,” he said. “This settlement will significantly impact our two largest athletic programs, and we appreciate the support of the Attorney General’s office as we navigate this issue.”

Presidents of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota have stated that the proposed settlement will reduce NCAA revenue for their size schools. Both universities agree that the settlement will have significant implications for their athletic programs while not providing comprehensive benefits for the state’s student-athletes.

The complaint includes requests for a judgement in the Plaintiff’s favor on all issues; for damages to be determined by a jury; and, for an injunction protecting the Plaintiff from unjust disbursements based on the proposed settlement.

No court hearing date has yet been scheduled for the complaint.

The complaint can be found here: https://atg.sd.gov/docs/9.10.2024%20NCAA%20Complaint.pdf

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Statements from the Presidents of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota: 

South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn

 “South Dakota State University appreciates the efforts of the South Dakota Board of Regents and the Attorney General’s Office in addressing our state’s concerns surrounding the proposed NCAA settlement/ The settlement poses significant implications for our athletic programs without providing comprehensive benefits for our student-athletes. We appreciate the support from the Attorney General’s Office as we navigate this matter to seek fair outcomes for our state and universities. For any inquiries related to the legal proceedings, please direct them to the Attorney General’s Office.”

University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring:

“The University of South Dakota is grateful for the continued support of the Attorney General’s Office as we work through our concerns to guarantee equitable treatment for our state and universities. The proposed House vs. NCAA settlement will substantially impact our athletic program and our ability to support our student-athletes. Due to current legal actions, if you have any inquiries regarding the NCAA, please direct them to the Attorney General’s office.”