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Lost amongst the din of the current battles going on within the legislature, much of it caused by House Appropriations, is another House Committee, albeit one which has met sparingly over the course of session.

The House Select Committee on Investigation was formed to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist to move forward with an impeachment motion against the Attorney General for the circumstances surrounding the traffic accident in which a man was killed.

After Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch declared back in February 2021 –  a full year ago – that “It is crucial that we create an open, transparent, and fair process for all parties involved,”  to the general public, the process has been anything but.

With battles over the secrecy of who even voted for the special session, as well as executive session, after executive session, after executive session, it seems at most times that we’re not sure they’re going to move forward with any public decision, much less provide an open and transparent process during the 2022 legislative session.

In fact, based on what has happened to date, it seems like this process might just drag out through the party convention/nomination process itself.

In the meantime, the GOP appears to most definitely have activity in the race for Attorney General.

Former Attorney General Marty Jackley has been actively running for the office, announcing for the race in the Spring of 2021, and aggressively pursuing it. SInce then, Jackley has secured the endorsements of at least 59 State’s Attorneys, 63 Sheriffs, and has raised hundreds of thousands in campaign donations.

And in case you forgot, the Attorney General and Governor Noem put to rest any rumors of remaining rivalry over the 2018 election with mutual endorsements in the 2022 election.

But lest you think there isn’t a race at this point, put those notions away. Because by all appearances, while no official announcement has been made, there is very much an active campaign either on the part of the current Attorney General, Jason Ravnsborg, or on his behalf, with an eye to his re-election.

For months, while not always choosing to headline, Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has been an active participant in many Republican events, speaking at the 2021 Young Republican Convention, and participating in this years’ Republican Day at the Capitol. Ravnsborg was also in attendance at a Trump Rally in Texas, where he received a shout-out from the podium by former President Trump.

And there has also been a concerted effort to place delegates favorable to the former Attorney General into the Republican Convention Nomination process which will take place this June.

Nebraska-based website “Dakota Free Press” noted in January that Ravnsborg was spotted meeting in Brookings “reviewing the South Dakota Republican Party bylaws and talking about county central committees, delegates, precincts, and open seats.”  There have also been reports that members of the Patriot Ripple Effect group based out of Sioux Falls (with members in Brookings), have been actively working efforts to install Ravnsborg-friendly delegates in a stealth effort to prepare for his official entrance into the race.

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg himself is remaining mum at the moment on any official announcement, which may be part of his legal strategy to rebuff efforts at the impeachment.

Given the pace with which the House of Representatives is conducting their investigation, versus the dwindling number of days until the Republican Convention (107 as of today), the strategy may be to run the clock down, and swoop in with a concerted effort to capture the nomination.

So far, that speculation doesn’t seem all that crazy.

After some quiet rumors that she would not be running again for this seat, but could opt to move over to the House, State Senator Julie Frye Mueller filed paperwork with the Secretary of State this week to run again for District 30 State Senate.  Mueller already has a challenger in State Representative Tim Goodwin who intends to move up to the Senate in what is sure to be a hard fought primary.

This race may be a test of how bizarre the actions of an elected official must be to be voted out of office, as Mueller has certainly had her share over the course of the last two years.

Among her actions has been a crusade against school handbooks, telling parents not to sign or to click “accept” to school handbooks – Because you will be giving permission to vaccinate or give transgender surgery to your children.

And let’s not forget the bizarre ‘dynamic duo’ interview she gave at the Pillow Guy Symposium:

You can watch the video for yourself by clicking here.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

This one will be entertaining to watch, to say the least.

Gov. Noem Signs Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed 16 bills into law:

• SB 4 revises provisions related to a written certification for the medical use of cannabis.
• SB 12 revises the annual report on medical cannabis by the Department of Health to the Legislature.
• SB 14 revises provisions related to the confidential list of medical cannabis cardholders maintained by the Department of Health.
• SB 23 revises the definition of bona fide practitioner-patient relationship.
• SB 27 revises the provisions regarding the denial or nonrenewal of a patient registry identification card.
• SB 52 makes an appropriation for the replacement of the Richmond Lake spillway and for the general maintenance and repair of other state-owned dams.
• SB 64 makes appropriations from the water and environment fund and its revolving subfunds for various water and environmental purposes.
• SB 67 makes an appropriation to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks to improve and repair infrastructure around Lake Alvin and Newell Lake.
• SB 73 provides for the use of artificial light and night-vision equipment while hunting coyotes and other predators.
• SB 93 revises certain provisions related to the use of epinephrine and supraglottic airway devices by ambulance services.
• SB 176 revises provisions regarding self-propelled agriculture units.
• HB 1083 provides a partial property tax exemption for the surviving spouses of certain veterans.
• HB 1130 specifies taxation, authorization, and standards of practice for the sale of travel insurance.
• HB 1153 revises the number of class hours required to obtain a responsible broker’s license.
• HB 1169 modifies the licensing of barbers.
• HB 1195 directs the Indian Education Advisory Council to make an annual report to the Governor and the State-Tribal Relations Committee.

Governor Noem has signed 102 bills into law and vetoed one this legislative session.

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The Argus Leader is writing tonight that some legislators seem in a hurry to leave, even with no budget agreement in sight. But Kristi Noem can wait for them to figure it out. Because she’s in no hurry.

With just two days left in the regular Legislative, there’s uncertainty if a budget deal will get done before lawmakers head home. Noem says she isn’t worried about that though.

“I can sit here until July. I’m not in a hurry,” she said. “They’re the ones panicked about getting out of here because they’re tired of debating and they have vacations planned and they want to go. I don’t have to go anywhere so I will sit here until we do it right.”

Read the entire story here.

Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions Launches to Support Noem Agenda

Pierre, SD – Today, Rob Burgess announced the launching of the Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions (DakotaInstitute.net). Mr. Burgess serves as the Executive Director of the new organization.

The Institute was formed to advocate for issues, educate citizens on how their representatives vote on critical issues, frame the debate to advance conservative principles, and generate support for Governor Noem’s agenda.

“South Dakota has record-setting momentum on so many fronts, with the number one economy in the nation and the 2^nd lowest unemployment rate. People are flocking to South Dakota because it’s a beacon for personal liberty and freedom,” Burgess said.

“Unfortunately there are politicians who want to block and even reverse all that progress. Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions was formed to get the truth out to South Dakotans. Right now we have a budget of $800,000 for this calendar year with an additional $1.5M for the next two years following,” Burgess added.

Among other issues, the Institute will focus on educating citizens on the dangers of Critical Race Theory in our schools, economic prosperity, cutting taxes, encouraging business growth and innovation, supporting farmers and ranchers, and providing an opportunity for all South Dakotans.

 

Always great to speak with Governor Noem!

While I was haunting the halls of the Capitol today with my daughter, we ran into a number of elected officials, including Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, Interim Commissioner of School & Public Lands Jarrod Johnson, Secretary of State Steve Barnett, and of course Governor Kristi Noem, whom it is always great to speak with.   Before heading back to Brookings, I did catch up afterwards with former Attorney General, and once again Attorney General Candidate Marty Jackley.

 

Thune, Scott Introduce Legislation to Combat Workforce Challenges

Senators’ bill would help ensure that apprenticeship programs are more responsive to private sector workforce needs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) today introduced the Training America’s Workforce Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to revive industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs) that wereformalized by the Trump administration. Specifically, it would reinstate the rule that allowed third-party, DOL-approved entities, like qualifying trade associations or institutions of higher education, to recognize and perform oversight over apprenticeship programs developed by the private sector and other organizations. This legislation would make apprenticeship programs more responsive to industry workforce needs, and it would help individuals obtain industry-specific skills through on-the-job learning and classroom instruction, as well as an industry-recognized credential upon completion of the program.

“Workforce shortages, especially in skills-based industries, is an issue I continue to hear about from South Dakota businesses all across the state,” said Thune. “The best solutions to this problem lie within the private sector, but there are steps that Congress can take to help ensure individuals across South Dakota have the skills they need to thrive in our economy. This legislation would reinstate IRAPs as a way to help address these ongoing workforce challenges in South Dakota and throughout the country.”

“At a time when so many Americans have stopped looking for work, thousands of small business owners are struggling to find workers for millions of open jobs,” said Scott. “Rather than rely on heavy-handed, government-run programs, this bill will help create industry-led workforce development programs to get qualified workers into well-paying jobs.”

“The Training America’s Workforce Act will support the industry-recognized, market-driven apprenticeship programs that many ABC chapters and members use to provide their workers with the skills they need for a successful career,” said Kristen Swearingen, Associated Builders and Contractors vice president of legislative and political affairs. “At a critical time when the construction industry faces an estimated workforce shortage of 650,000 workers in 2022, we know that the flexibility and modern approach that these programs offer can provide new opportunities for all of America’s workers. ABC appreciates Senator Thune and Scott’s efforts to better serve construction professionals throughout the country.”

“With chronic labor shortages contributing to rising construction costs, NAHB commends Sens. Thune and Scott for introducing the Training America’s Workforce Act,” said Jerry Konter, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “The legislation will help ease the housing affordability crisis by allowing the home building industry to expand its workforce training reach through industry-recognized apprenticeship programs, or IRAPs. By supplementing existing training options with IRAPs, this bill will provide the education and training needed to promote and advance careers in residential construction.”

“As the first responders for their community’s workforce needs, America’s technical community colleges need every possible tool to help address today’s workforce shortage and skills gap,” said Mike Cartney, president of Lake Area Technical College. “IRAPs uniquely provide a pathway to gaining those high-demand skills on the job, making the employee available for work on day one, and I appreciate Senators Thune and Scott for introducing this legislation.”

During the Trump administration, IRAPs served as a necessary alternative to registered apprenticeships, which are required to be recognized directly by DOL or state apprenticeship agencies and are oftentimes accompanied by rigid and onerous requirements. Shortly after President Biden took office, he effectively ended this new apprenticeship effort by prohibiting the recognition of any new IRAPs. On November 15, 2021, President Biden promulgated a rule that would formally rescind the Trump-era rule. The public comment period concluded on January 14, 2022, and a final rule to rescind IRAPs has yet to be published.

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I haven’t been paying attention today (as I do have a day job) but the Cybersecurity program apparently did pass the House today, despite the best efforts of House Appropriations:

The investment to expand @DakotaState‘s cyberresearch program passed the House and is on its way to my desk! This project will help bring the next big industry to our state.

Now more than ever, South Dakota needs to lead the way in advancing our nation’s cybersecurity. pic.twitter.com/ZAFZbB7CNv

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) March 7, 2022

The Argus has a story this morning about how members of the House Appropriations Committee seem to have this propensity this session to kill projects that Governor Noem is supporting for the sake of sandbagging her agenda of growth and development:

That two committee members, Reps. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, and Steve Haugaard, R-Sioux Falls, are seeking statewide offices and have acrimonious history with the governor has the committee accused of playing politics.

“At no point did a member of the public or private industry oppose these bills, which makes it clear they are wanted and needed by South Dakotans,” Sen. Casey Crabtree, R-Madison, said, specific to the workforce housing initiative and the planned cyber-security campus for Dakota State University. “The small group that opposes will need to decide if they represent the people of their district or if they are going to sacrifice these initiatives to help Haugaard’s campaign against our governor.”

Read it all here.

Speaking of Steve Haugaard and Taffy Howard, even more interesting is that there seems to be a number of measures being voted on that they are “excused” for.

Or as one legislator noted to me, “there seems to be a story to be had on Rep. Howard ducking off the house floor to avoid votes.” First, she is there, and then “nowhere to be found on occasion, specifically whenever we are voting on BOR issues.”

Interesting.

Former Sheriff, Retired Adjutant General to run for District 8 State House

With more than 40 years of service to the State of South Dakota, including serving as Miner County Sheriff, the head of the South Dakota National Guard, and as a member of the cabinet of three Governors, Tim Reisch of Howard, South Dakota is announcing that he is running for State Representative in the District 8 House race.

Reisch was elected Sheriff of Miner County at age 24 and was serving in his fifth 4-year term when he was tapped by then-Governor Bill Janklow to serve as Deputy Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Corrections.  When Mike Rounds was elected Governor 2 ½ years later, he made Reisch his cabinet secretary.  When Governor Dennis Daugaard took office in 2011, he initially reappointed Reisch to the Corrections post but in April of that year, Daugaard appointed him as the Adjutant General of the SD National Guard.  Governor Kristi Noem reappointed him Adjutant General when she took office in 2019.  Major General Reisch retired from the post later that year having served over 40 years in uniform.

“After agreeing to serve temporarily as interim Secretary of Corrections to help Governor Noem address some issues identified in the department last summer, my appetite for public service was reignited,” said Reisch.  Proud of his small-town roots, Reisch believes he can offer a fresh perspective to the legislative process.

Reisch holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University; a master’s degree in Administrative Studies from the University of South Dakota; and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the US Army War College. He currently serves part-time as the Miner County Veterans Service Officer, and operates Reisch Sales LLC, a used farm equipment business located in Howard. He also helps his son raise corn and soybeans on the family farm.

Reisch is married to the former Anne Roby of Carthage, SD.  They are active members of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Howard and proud parents of five children and four grandchildren.  Reisch is also an active member of Howard’s American Legion Post 145.  “I very much look forward to meeting the citizens of the newly-drawn District 8 which includes all or portions of Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake and Miner Counties.”

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