The South Dakota Attorney General has released his brief provided to the South Dakota Supreme Court in reference to Governor Noem’s request for an advisory opinion, on what constitutes a conflict of interest between a legislator and the state of South Dakota under Article 3 of the constitution.
In case you were looking for some white reading this afternoon…
NoemopinionSCTbrf Filed 12-15-23 by Pat Powers on Scribd
Johnson Secures South Dakota Wins in Annual Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with two bills led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). One provision would create a congressional charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV) organization, while another bans the use of LOGINK, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) state-controlled shipping platform, at U.S. ports. The NDAA now heads to the president’s desk.
The NDAA also includes:
“South Dakota and our troops will certainly benefit from the NDAA,” said Johnson. “Our military will be stronger and our nation will be more secure. I’m proud of the work done to support our state.”
In March, Johnson introduced legislation to ban LOGINK. Read the full amendment text here.
Johnson’s NAIV legislation was introduced in May. U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Read the full amendment text here.
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The Argus has an article today on members of the Democrat Party criticizing the Minnehaha County Auditor over her recent actions, as she intentionally erodes confidence in how County Auditors conduct elections:
“It is inappropriate for the Minnehaha County Auditor to sow distrust in the integrity of state and local elections in concert with private groups focused on spreading consistently debunked conspiracy theories,” said Minnehaha County Democratic Party Chair Erik Muckey in a statement released Wednesday by the South Dakota Democratic Party. “Minnehaha County residents should know that our elections have been, and will continue to be, secure regardless of the Minnehaha County Auditor’s personal beliefs.”
and..
Anderson concluded the call by revealing that unbeknownst to the other participants, a group of nearly two dozen of her supporters had been listening in.
and..
One of those supporters was Rick Weible, a candidate for a District 8 House seat who the next day spent an hour praising Anderson and Mathis to Brannon Howse on “The Lindell Report” while talking about clips from the call.
The show’s namesake, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, recently said he was no longer able to pay his lawyers to represent him in a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit brought by voting machine companies Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems.
I don’t think it’s a partisan position to think the Auditor and her staff are a few ballots short of a box in their approach to elections, and the County Commission needs to rein her in before disaster strikes. I suspect there are many Republicans who also share that belief.
Rounds Secures South Dakota Victories in NDAA
Final NDAA authorizes construction projects totaling $269 million at Ellsworth Air Force Base, $2.3 billion for B-21 Raider stealth bomber
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the top Republican member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, released the following statement on the final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). Rounds authored 33 provisions in this year’s NDAA.
“The NDAA is a critical piece of legislation that provides for our national security and supports our service members and their families,” said Rounds. “Our members on the Senate Armed Services Committee have worked hard all year to craft this piece of legislation. The NDAA is a prime example of Congress putting politics aside to provide for our strategic national security interests and achieve results for our men and women in uniform.
“I’m particularly excited that this year’s NDAA includes legislation I’ve led for years that would create a congressional charter for the National American Indian Veterans. Additionally, the bill contains over $274 million in funding for construction projects in South Dakota. Most of this funding will support preparations for the bed down of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base. As ranking member of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I am also proud of our work to strengthen our nation’s cyber capabilities and develop advanced technology to combat threats from our near-peer adversaries, the People’s Republic of China and Russia.
“I am pleased that this bipartisan legislation is heading to the president’s desk to be signed into law.”
This is the ninth NDAA that Rounds has helped craft as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In last year’s bill, Rounds authored more than 45 provisions, which were ultimately adopted and signed into law. Earlier this year, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia’s Center for Effective Lawmaking named Rounds as the second most effective Republican on Defense issues.
Thune: Annual Defense Bill Provides Critical Funding for Ellsworth Air Force Base
“The security of our nation is the precondition for everything else – for the continued enjoyment of our freedoms, for a flourishing society, for a healthy economy, for government’s ability to do anything.”
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 ahead of the final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024, which contains numerous priorities that benefit South Dakota and the B-21 bomber mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Thune noted that in addition to the NDAA, Congress must prioritize passing a national security supplemental bill that provides support to the United States’ allies – like Israel and Ukraine – and contains meaningful measures to secure the southern border.
Gov. Noem Supports Bill to Prevent Antisemitism
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem voiced her support for legislation declaring that antisemitism is discrimination.
“Jewish people around the world are facing discriminatory acts of hatred. Acts of violence against the Jewish people have even skyrocketed here in America. South Dakota will always stand with the Jewish people – and we will continue to support the State of Israel,” Governor Noem said. “Antisemitism is discrimination against the Jewish people. I am proud to support this legislation.”
This bill will support Jews in South Dakota by increasing their protections against antisemitic acts of hate. It will be introduced during the upcoming legislative session by South Dakota State Representative Fred Deutsch (R-04).
South Dakota’s Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA) is also encouraging state employees to participate in workplace antisemitism training this month. There are two different training courses available on SDLearn. For more information, contact BHRA.
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Rounds, Tester Announce Move to Overturn Biden Administration Decision Allowing Beef Imports from Paraguay
WASHINGTON – As part of their continued efforts to support American producers and consumers, U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) announced that they will file a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would overturn the Biden administration’s decision to allow beef imports from Paraguay.
“The Biden administration’s decision to allow beef imports from a country with a history of foot and mouth disease is a mistake that impacts South Dakota producers and consumers,” said Rounds. “Our producers work tirelessly to produce the safest, highest quality and most affordable beef in the world. Our consumers should be able to confidently feed their families beef that has met the rigorous standards required in the United States. I am proud to partner with Senator Tester to overturn this Biden administration rule that would allow beef imports from Paraguay.”
“The Biden Administration has this one backwards – resuming beef imports from a country with a recent history of foot and mouth disease is bad news for both Montana consumers and producers,” said Tester. “Montana ranchers work hard to produce the best quality beef in the world, and it’s clear that the USDA doesn’t have the data to show that Paraguay meets the same animal health standards. I’m willing to take this fight to the Senate floor because it’s clear that bureaucrats in Washington are endangering our food supply while giving a raw deal to American ranchers and consumers.”
Earlier this month, Rounds and Tester introduced bipartisan legislation to suspend beef imports from Paraguay in response to animal health concerns. The senators have called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect more up-to-date data before resuming beef imports from a country like Paraguay with a recent history of foot and mouth disease. Paraguay last reported cases of foot and mouth disease in 2012. The USDA’s decision to resume Paraguayan imports relies on an analysis completed in 2018, and American inspectors have not conducted a site visit to Paraguay since 2014.
In addition to suspending beef imports from Paraguay, the bill would also require the establishment of a working group to evaluate the threat to food safety and animal health posed by Paraguayan beef.
The bipartisan legislation is supported by R-CALF USA, United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
Rounds and Tester have led the charge to support American family farmers and ranchers. In February, the senators also introduced bipartisan legislation to suspend Brazilian beef imports to the United States until experts can conduct a systemic review of the commodity’s impact on food safety and animal health.
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South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson is one of 28 individuals being featured by The Hill website for his influence and ability to act as a positive agent of change in our nation’s capital this year. In the article noting his influence in helping to bring people together in Washington, especially in the House GOP Caucus, as The Hill points out:
Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) has found himself at the center of nearly every battle in the House GOP conference this year, working to unify the fractious group and shift the narrative that the current class of House Republicans is ungovernable.
Johnson — as chair of the pragmatic Main Street Caucus — played a role in January’s Speaker fight, the push to raise the debt limit in May, and the race to fund the government in September.
and..
“I think when we’re focusing on what divides us, the House Republicans are not very effective. And so, I try to be somebody who can bridge the gap, try to make people focus on what’s achievable and where do we agree,” Johnson told The Hill in an interview. “And to the extent that we’ve had successes, you know, whether it’s been on border security, public safety, energy, spending, I think it has come because Republicans have figured out a way to work together.”
A nice honor for one of South Dakota’s true political leaders.
Amber Hulse Announces Her Campaign For Senate District 30
According to a press release issued today, lifelong conservative activist, Amber Hulse announced her candidacy for State Senate in the 30th District, which encompasses Custer, Fall River, and parts of Pennington County. Hulse is committed to delivering results for the community and will work hard to ensure that residents of the Black Hills have a voice in Pierre
Upon announcing her campaign, Amber Hulse said, “I have made the choice to run for the Senate because I saw a need in my community that called me to public service. In Pierre, I will always put your needs and the needs of our state and community first. We deserve fresh leadership, and I keep thinking back to my personal motto ‘if not me, then who?’ Exemplary leadership starts with leaders who will put in the work for our community and deliver a conservative agenda. The Black Hills deserve a fresh voice in Pierre, and I look forward to being that voice.”
Hulse is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, graduates from Georgetown Law in 2024 and has served as a law clerk for Governor Kristi Noem and U.S. Senator Hawley on the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was also an intern in the White House for the Trump Administration and has served other elected officials including Secretary of State Shantel Krebs, U.S. Senator Thune, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and U.S. Senator Lummis of Wyoming.
According to her website, Hulse is focusing her campaign on 4 major points, that she’s Pro-American, and among her policies includes “ensuring foreign nations cannot buy South Dakota farmland. “ Hulse notes she supports education, and plans to tackle “post-COVID learning loss recovery, literacy education, and school attendance should be a priority, as well as championing parents as crucial partners, supporting their involvement in their children’s education.” Hulse also notes her support for veterans, as well as wildlife, land management and conservation among issues she’s concerned about on her campaign page.
Hulse will likely face controversial District 30 State Senator Julie Frye-Mueller in the primary election. Frye-Mueller was removed from the Republican Senate Caucus after her censure over her harassment of a legislative employee involving the employee’s newborn child and the Senator questioning the employee over vaccinations and breast-feeding practices. Frye-Mueller was also stripped of committee assignments by Senate Leadership.
The Primary Election will be held on June 4, 2024. You can find out more and donate to her campaign at http://amberforsouthdakota.com/
District 17 Senator Sydney Davis Announces Re-Election Bid
BURBANK, SD — Senator Sydney Davis announced her intent to seek re-election to continue representing District 17 in the South Dakota State Senate.
“The decisions we make in Pierre have such a wide impact on everyone in the state. They can change people’s lives. I have found that to be humbling and honored to be a part of the process. I value the trust my friends and neighbors have placed in me, allowing me to represent them in the legislature,” said Davis.
Davis grew up in rural South Dakota and is a 4th generation cattle producer. A commitment to help others and give back to her rural community led to a career in health care. As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, she has served communities in the Southeastern corner of South Dakota and the tri-state area.
Davis’s professional and personal experiences provide District 17 with a champion for rural communities. During her legislative service, Davis has established herself as an essential voice for advancing opportunities for healthcare and rural economic development. In three years, Davis has 11 bills on which she was the prime sponsor and 58 bills she co-sponsored signed into law. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Other committee assignments include Senate Education and Senate State Affairs. Davis has focused on providing support and enhanced opportunities for healthcare providers in small communities, including paramedics, dental practitioners, and adult day services. This allows people to receive assistance closer to home.
During the 2023 session, Davis’ successful efforts also included providing grant opportunities for mental health and suicide prevention programs, revising the criminal code to support efforts to combat the fentanyl overdose crisis, and enhancing protections for ag producers from nuisance claims.”
“Some of the things that I’m most proud of is that a lot of the bills and ideas that I brought to Pierre have originated from my friends and neighbors back home, which means a lot to me. That’s how our process should work,” said Davis. “Our main job as a government is to take care of those that can’t take care of themselves to ensure public health and safety, and also to make sure that we’re setting up a fiscally responsible future for our kids and grandkids.”
As a working mother of two children, Davis has also advocated for quality daycare and educational opportunities for children and supported efforts to invest in teachers and the education system. Educated in South Dakota, Davis has supported additional scholarship opportunities to make post-secondary education affordable for the state’s students.
Davis completed her bachelor of science degree at South Dakota State University and her master of science degree at Mount Marty College. Davis and her husband reside with their two children in Clay County, continuing their family tradition as ag producers.