Category: Uncategorized

If you were wondering why the State GOP had to shift their plans for a state dinner from this weekend to September, there’s a good reason. A change in schedule came about because they needed to adjust to get one of the biggest speakers that the Republican Party has to offer; former President Donald Trump.

Our Monumental Leaders Rally just got 45 times better as we look forward to hearing from the original America First leader, President @realDonaldTrump!

👉 Follow @SDGOP to find out how you can score tickets to our Monumental Leaders Rally! pic.twitter.com/dhbdAUuN0G

— South Dakota GOP (@SDGOP) July 19, 2023

Stay tuned for more coverage.. And I should also have the link where you can score tickets to the event!

(This comes as a bit of a shock, as quite a few knew Ed from his time in the legislature. You can read the full obit here. Originally coming from New York, his brand of Republican politics were not as hard right as many nowadays, but he was a strong advocate for education in the legislature, and carried a lot of water for the SDGOP.)

Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Former State Legislator Edwin W. Olson Jr.

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Friday, July 21^st, 2023, in honor of former state legislator Edwin W. Olson, Jr. He represented Davison County in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 1987-1994 and the South Dakota State Senate from 2001-2008.

Funeral services for former state legislator Edwin W. Olson, Jr. will take place at 10:30 am on July 21^st, 2023, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 214 W 3^rd Ave, Mitchell, SD.

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Little known trivia about Ed, his brother was the cowboy in 70’s disco group, the Village People from 1980-2013. 

And who didn’t see this coming?

After former Aberdeen Water Treatment Superintendent Bob Braun roasted city management in May, and claimed that water testing lab work has been “faked” since 2020, the City of Aberdeen took issue with it, and claimed all was well.

But that doesn’t seem to have lasted very long, as a letter landed in Aberdeen mailboxes yesterday, noting that “there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.”

Someone might have come explaining to do on that one.  But I’m sure they’ll say “all is well.”

Again.

Attorney General Jackley, DCI Host Human Trafficking Training Conference

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says his office’s state Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is hosting a human trafficking training conference this week in Pierre.

“Human trafficking happens here in South Dakota, and it is important that we all work together to address this issue,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We owe it to the victims and their families.”

The training is the first ever of its kind hosted by the Attorney General’s Office and DCI. More than 65 participants from law enforcement, local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations, and state government agencies are attending the two sessions being held this week at the Mickelson Law Enforcement Training Center.

Mary Beth Holzwarth, the Human Trafficking Coordinator for the State Division of Criminal Investigation, coordinated the conference and brought in Foundation United National Training Cadre to deliver the content. Topics include discussion on human trafficking trends, risk factors that lead to human trafficking, various forms of human trafficking, and how to navigate the Dark Web and conduct operations.

Speakers include a survivor of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking damages individuals, families, and communities,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “The key issue being stressed this week is collaboration; working together to address this serious crime.”

One of Governor Kristi Noem’s latest tweets has gotten national attention, as she references an anti-crime song making waves across America by country music artist Jason Aldean:

My thoughts on “Try that in a Small Town”…. @Jason_Aldean pic.twitter.com/umJ8qFvy2o

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 19, 2023

Fox News picked up the story today via their website:

South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem joined a wave of conservatives on social media defending country music star Jason Aldean from backlash over his new music video blasting Black Lives Matter rioters and daring them to “try that in a small town.”

“I am shocked by what I’m seeing in this country with people attempting to cancel this song and cancel Jason and his beliefs,” Noem posted in a video on Twitter Wednesday. “Him and Brittany are outspoken about their love for law and order and for their love of this country and I’m just grateful for them.”

Noem’s video comes in response to a music video for Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” that has lyrics warning violent criminals, as well as those who disrespect law enforcement and the American flag, to “try that in a small town.”

Read the entire story on Fox News.

Thune, Rounds Applaud Senate Passage of Their Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act

“We applaud the Senate’s passage of our bill, and we hope the House of Representatives considers it in short order.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed their Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, bipartisan legislation that would accelerate the review and processing of mortgages on trust land by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

“Affordable housing opportunities on tribal trust land can be hard to come by in South Dakota and across the nation due in part to the BIA’s challenging mortgage approval process, which can complicate lenders’ ability to provide financing to prospective homebuyers and participate in federal tribal housing programs,” said the senators. “Our bipartisan legislation would expedite this mortgage approval process, hold the BIA accountable, and encourage more lenders to provide mortgages across Indian Country. This would expand tribal members’ access to homeownership. We applaud the Senate’s passage of our bill, and we hope the House of Representatives considers it in short order.”

“It is essential that Native people have equal access to mortgage transactions, just like any other citizen in this country,” said Chelsea Fish, executive director at the National American Indian Housing Council. “This bill focuses on aligning the processes of the BIA with standard practices in the private mortgage industry. We commend legislators for prioritizing mortgage processes within the BIA and promoting a culture of accountability.”

“Mortgage Banker Association (MBA) applauds the Senate passage of the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2023,” said Bill Killmer, senior vice president of legislative and political affairs at MBA. “This important legislation will reduce or eliminate BIA processing delays, thereby improving access to credit by encouraging more lenders to participate in trust land mortgage lending. We commend Senators Thune, Smith, Rounds, and Tester for reintroducing this bipartisan bill during this Congress and for their work in helping it pass by unanimous consent.”

The Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act would create statutory timelines in which the BIA would be required to process mortgages involving property located on tribal trust land. Additionally, it would enhance the ability of certain federal agencies to operate their tribal housing programs and improve communication between the BIA and tribes, tribal members, and lenders through the establishment of a realty ombudsman within the BIA who can communicate with relevant parties.

Thune and Rounds introduced the bipartisan legislation earlier this year with U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

  

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Governor Noem Launches New “Freedom Works Here” Ad

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem launched a new ad as part of the “Freedom Works Here” nationwide workforce recruitment campaign. The “On the Job” ad features Governor Noem as a welder inviting workers to move to South Dakota.

“’Freedom Works Here’ has already been the most successful recruitment campaign in South Dakota history,” said Governor Noem. “287 million people have seen the ads. More than 3,000 have gone through the process of applying. More than 500 are in the final stages of moving to South Dakota. And with this new ad, we aren’t slowing down.”

In the “On the Job” ad, Governor Noem highlights South Dakota’s acceptance of most out-of-state professional licenses and apprenticeship programs. Governor Noem also mentions that South Dakota is investing in scholarships to help ease financial burden and get folks trained and on the job.

More information about the Freedom Works Here campaign can be found here.

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South Dakota Ends Fiscal Year with $96.8 Million Surplus 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that South Dakota closed the 2023 budget year with a surplus of $96.8 million.

“South Dakota’s economy is continuing to thrive because we keep state government small, taxes are low, and we spend within our means. This surplus shows that what we are doing here is working,” said Governor Noem. “As long as we continue to budget responsibly, families across the state will be able to keep more of their money in their pockets, and we will be able to avoid unnecessary debt by using this surplus for future prison construction costs.”

State government spent $79.7 million less than appropriated in fiscal year 2023, with the total revenue finishing above the legislative adopted forecast by $17.1 million. Sales and use tax, which is the state’s largest revenue source, finished 0.5% below estimates, down $6.9 million.

“South Dakota state government continues to budget responsibly on both the revenue and spending sides of the equation,” said Jim Terwilliger, Commissioner of the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management. “Our state’s economic metrics are very strong because we stick to our conservative budget principles. Going forward, we must keep following those principles. With so much uncertainty surrounding the national economy, conservative spending will ensure our long-term fiscal health.”

Over the last several years, South Dakota has seen unprecedented economic growth. By keeping the state “Open for Business” during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Noem ensured that South Dakota came out stronger than ever. South Dakota continues to maintain a AAA credit rating and is one of the only states with a fully-funded pension. Now, with the lowest unemployment in the history of the nation, South Dakotans are still working hard and guaranteeing that our kids and grandkids will inherit a thriving state.

By law, the fiscal year 2023 surplus was transferred to the state’s budget reserves. The state’s reserves now total $335.7 million or 14.7% of the fiscal year 2024 general fund budget.

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Rounds_2023_2q by Pat Powers on Scribd

South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has filed his latest FEC report in which he reports his campaign financials for the second quarter of 2023.

In the report, Rounds reports raising $8,935.85 from individuals, $37,500 from Political Committees and PAC’s and $21,843 in dividends/interest to total a take of $68,279.08 in campaign receipts.   The former Governor had operating expenses of $71,394.60, as well as $10,000 of refund to a political committee, and $4340 of “other” disbursements, to total $85,784.60 in cash outlays for the quarter, leaving him $1,472,233.86 to operate his political activities.

 

From my mailbox:

RELEASE DATE: July 17th, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

After eight months of coordination and a legislative session, term limits may be finally heading towards the general election ballot.  The Secretary of State has approved the text, petition, and Attorney General’s explanation to begin circulating petitions for the initiated amendment.

Current law allows legislators to serve four consecutive terms, which means they may serve indefinitely (without limit) as long as there is a break or a switch between chambers.  The proposed amendment would limit legislators to eight years in each chamber or a total of 16 years.  State Senator Brent “B.R.” Hoffman said he initiated the effort at the request of his constituents and is confident it will pass if they can get the petition signatures required.  “South Dakotans support term limits by large margins across nearly every demographic group, and I’m confident voters will approve term limits at the ballot box because they always have previously,” he said.  Voters first passed (64-36) the provision with the consecutive language in 1992.  In 2008, voters overwhelmingly defeated (76-24) a resolution from the state legislature to remove limits.

Despite the public support for term limits, Senator Hoffman acknowledged the requirement to gather more than 35,000 petition signatures is a daunting challenge and there will be organized opposition.  But he also noted that South Dakotans for Term Limits is a volunteer-led effort, and they’re putting together a 35-district team of veterans, activists and both former and current elected officials to help lead the effort.  Brad Lindwurm of Sioux Falls is a member of that team, and he added, “Term limits encourage new ideas and accountability while discouraging elitism and politics as usual.  It’s also consistent with our state motto and the constitution, and I’m proud to support this effort.”

If South Dakotans for Term Limits submits the petitions, the amendment would be on the general election ballot in November 2024.  According to Senator Hoffman, they also plan to organize debates in host districts and at county political events as part of a “long term strategy” to engage citizens and improve representative government.