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From Facebook:

Just listened to the testimony today where the last piece of State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer’s legislative package, HB 1305, was defeated, leaving her with a 0-3 record this legislative session.  Boy, a legislative seat is a terrible thing to waste.

From listening to the testimony, I got the impression she does not like reading about South Dakota politics.

However, in rebuttal to her legislation being picked apart by critics who noted that her silly legislation would make a felony out of publishing a legally required delinquent tax notice, Brandei tossed out the quote of the day, on how a legislator would never be in a certain position:

…I do understand. Yah. If you are delinquent on your, um, your taxes, then you probably aren’t going to be here, are you?  You know. There is a bar that is set for us as public officials. 

– Rep. Schaefbauer, HB 1305 rebuttal testimony, 2/23/26.

 

Why is this jogging my memory?

Whoops!

Fom KELOland over the noon hour – Marshall Selberg is out of the race for Mayor in Sioux Falls. And he’s given his endorsement to former Councilwoman Christine Erickson. From the story:

“As I’ve reflected in recent days, it’s become clear that when people who care deeply about the same future for our city compete in ways that divide, no one truly wins. I love this city and want what is best for Sioux Falls and for all of us who call it home. That conviction ultimately led me to this decision.”

In his statement, Selberg endorses Christine Erickson’s mayoral candidacy, saying “nobody works harder.”

Read the entire story here.

I think there are plenty of people who would agree!

The Rehfeldt/Davis bill (HB 1056) to require that the Department of Social Services submit a federal waiver request to exclude soft drinks from the supplemental nutrition assistance program received a letter of support from an unexpected quarter this past weekend – from the White House itself:

This past Thursday, an outstanding warrant was served on former Rapid City News Anchor Shad Olson on charges that he has violated the terms and conditions of his sentence for Domestic Abuse – Simple Assault/attempt to put another in fear of bodily harm; a charge which was reduced from his arrest in January of 2024 for felony assault in conjunction with a domestic abuse matter.

The warrant, originally issued December 23, 2025, was triggered upon the court not believing that the former KOTA anchor had followed the few conditions imposed on Olson, who had received a suspended imposition of sentence. In fact, In the PETITION TO REVOKE SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE filed by Tanner Jackson, Meade County Deputy State’s Attorney, the document details that Olson, pictured left in his arrest photo, failed to honor a number of the terms of his agreement for suspended imposition of sentence, according to a court document filed on December 19th:

• (1) Defendant failed to pay court appointed attorney fees, investigator fees, and transcript costs;
• (2) Defendant failed to complete alcohol evaluation, abide by the recommendations of the evaluation, and provide proof of completion; and
• (3) Defendant failed to complete anger management and provide proof of completion, in violation of the conditions ordered by the Court.

This action had Olson seeking a new attorney in Aberdeen, who in January had filed several documents including a certificate of completion for an on-line anger management course.

The warrant was served on Olson in Stanley County.

From other documents recently filed in the case, it’s apparent that there has been a lack of communication with the attorney who had filed the documentation claiming Olson was actually complying with the court’s wishes. On February 18th, the day before Olson’s arrest, his attorney withdrew from representing him for reasons as he put it, “the undersigned attorney has since lost contact with the defendant in this case despite numerous attempts to make or maintain contact.”

(Maybe his attorney should have tried to reach Shad on Facebook? He’s been active there.)

There’s no immediate update on whether Olson has obtained representation in his criminal matter.

According to the arrest warrant, he’s due back in court in Meade County on March 24th.

Tim Hanigan Announces Candidacy for South Dakota House of Representatives, District 3

ABERDEEN, SD – Tim Hanigan, an Aberdeen business leader, engineer, and community advocate, has officially announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 3.

Hanigan, a Republican, is focused on bringing practical leadership, economic growth, and a results-driven approach to Pierre.

As the current CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corporation and owner of Prairie Tool Company, a precision manufacturing business, Hanigan brings decades of private-sector experience to the race. His platform emphasizes creating high-paying jobs, supporting local schools, and ensuring South Dakota remains a place where the next generation chooses to build their futures.

“As a father of two, I want my kids — and every kid in District 3 — to have real opportunities right here at home,” said Hanigan. “That means fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and keeping government practical, accountable, and focused on the people it serves.”

Key Priorities of the Hanigan Campaign:

1. Strong Communities: Supporting common sense economic development for industries like healthcare and technology to create family-sustaining jobs.
2. Education & Workforce: Protecting local control of schools and ensuring students are prepared for college, technical training, or the workforce.
3. Practical Governance: Prioritizing solutions over political slogans and advocating for conservative, efficient government.
4. Preserving the SD Way of Life: Defending personal freedoms and property rights while balancing growth with tradition.

Hanigan’s deep commitment to the Aberdeen community is reflected in his extensive service record, including leadership roles with the SD Manufacturing & Technology Solutions Advisory Board, the Aberdeen Hardball Association, and the Sanford Hospital Advisory Board. He was also recently recognized as one of Aberdeen’s “Top 4 Under 40” in 2024.

The Republican Primary will be held on June 2, 2026, with early voting beginning April 17, 2026. Hanigan encourages all District 3 residents to engage in the process and help shape the future of South Dakota.

For more information, to volunteer, or to donate please visit www.timhanigan.com

South Dakotans Are Seeing Tax Relief
By Sen. John Thune

Who couldn’t use a little more money in their pocket? Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing more money in your pocket when you file your taxes this year. Thanks to Republicans’ landmark bill, hardworking South Dakotans will see smaller tax bills and bigger refunds, and small business owners, farmers, and ranchers will also have more money to invest in their workers and operations.

Since we passed this major tax bill last year, it’s been great to hear firsthand how it’s benefiting South Dakota. Just recently, I joined a roundtable with business owners from across the state at Montgomery’s in Sioux Falls. One of the takeaways from that conversation is how this bill’s permanent tax relief provided much-needed certainty to local businesses. Permanent pro-growth provisions like the 199A small business deduction, 100 percent bonus depreciation, and lower tax rates give these businesses the certainty they need to invest in their operations, expand, and create jobs. One participant credited the bonus depreciation provision for helping his business build an addition and hire 10 employees this year.

The Working Families Tax Cuts also provided a major boost to American manufacturing. Bonus depreciation helps manufacturers invest in new equipment. Expensing for research and development helps drive innovation. And the full expensing provision for new factories and factory improvements helps grow our manufacturing sector. And these pro-manufacturing policies are at work in South Dakota. I recently visited Pivotal Health Solutions’ factory in Watertown and heard about how tax relief is helping their operations. And in Rapid City, I talked with employees at C-Lock’s manufacturing facility about the innovation happening there that supports agriculture in South Dakota and around the world.

While I was in Rapid City, I also had the opportunity to talk with auditors and accountants at Casey Peterson about how hardworking South Dakotans are benefitting from the Working Families Tax Cuts with lower tax bills and bigger refunds this year. Business owners I talk to throughout the state consistently mention that the biggest benefit from this bill for them is that their customers will have more money in their pockets. And one retiree in Sioux Falls wrote my office to share that he got more money back on his taxes this year than last year, and he’s hardly the only one. Thanks to Republicans’ landmark bill, a lot of Americans are seeing lower tax bills this year.

The Working Families Tax Cuts puts more money in Americans’ pockets. It helps to grow our economy, create jobs, and grow paychecks. It’s a recipe for a growing economy that benefits everyone, and I’m so glad to see it having a big impact right here in South Dakota.

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Growing Opportunity
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
February 20, 2026

BIG Update

This week, I held a roundtable with producers to talk about issues facing South Dakota agriculture. We covered topics including the upcoming House committee activity on the Farm Bill, my efforts to secure year-round E-15, trade deals impacting South Dakota agriculture, and overall price concerns.

Decisions made in Washington shouldn’t be guess work. It was great to connect with these producers who are in the fields every day to hear their concerns and ideas.

Next week, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a markup on the Farm Bill and I’m eager to take these conversations to D.C. to ensure the Farm Bill meets the needs of South Dakota’s producers. Nearly 80% of the Farm Bill was completed during the reconciliation process and now the House is finishing the job to provide certainty for producers.

Johnson meets with producers in Winner

BIG Idea

I talked with Chamber of Commerce members from across the state in Pierre about my efforts in Congress to support working families and businesses. I spoke to Mitchell and Aberdeen Chamber members and joined the South Dakota Chamber for a fireside chat.

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act provided historic tax relief for families, made the paid leave tax credit permanent, and lowered tax on tips and overtime. These policies keep more money in people’s pockets and fuel our economy. I’ve also supported efforts to cut red tape and allow our businesses to continue to grow and thrive without unnecessary bureaucratic regulations.

Johnson speaks to members of the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce

BIG News

I really enjoy hearing from students about the issues and topics that interest them. This week, I spoke with students at Winner High School and Dakota Valley High School. The topics are always wide-ranging and cover everything from the national debt to immigration policy and foreign affairs. I shared the importance of working together to find solutions to the problems facing our country. It’s important for me to hear from South Dakota’s next generation of leaders.

Johnson takes questions from students at Dakota Valley High School

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South Dakota Democrats have filed their latest FEC Reports on the morning where South Dakota Republicans have gathered in Pierre to endlessly debate resolutions and re-arrange the chairs on the deck of the titanic instead of deciding to act like a real political party.

And, in the continued reversal of fortune, Democrats are reporting reasonable monthly receipts while the version of the South Dakota Republican Party, ran by former 32-year Democrat Jim Eschenbaum, continues of a rarely interrupted monthly streak of ZERO raised:

Feb2026sddp Fec by Pat Powers

$37,525.86 raised against $34,223.22 spent, leaving $53,267.67 cash on hand, compared to the SDGOP’s $30,180.59.   Let that sink in. Democrats have more cash on hand – almost twice as much – than the South Dakota Republican Party.

I seem to remember a quote that former 32-year Democrat Eschenbaum gave to South Dakota Searchlight at the onset of his reign as State GOP Chair:

I agree that people are funding candidates now instead of just throwing all the money to the state or state party. And I am perfectly OK with that. We don’t need any more money thrown to the state GOP than what we need to operate.

Read that here.

He should repeat that again when he talks about the party’s finances at the central committee meeting today.

 

Think back to 2020, when Rapid City Councilwoman Laura Armstrong was under some pretty strong fire and had a number of complaints lodged against her over a COVID era facebook page she was involved with which scolded businesses for not enforcing mask mandates:

It all stems from a Facebook page called “The Caring Businesses of Rapid City” that highlights businesses that enforce a mask mandate in their establishment, versus those that do not. The rolodex of businesses not requiring masks has been dubbed the “naughty list.”

The complainants accuse Armstrong of creating or supporting the page and are asking she be removed from the Council.

Read that here.

In fact, when she thought that was a position to launch a campaign for the office of Rapid City Mayor in 2023, her alleged shame-site for masking inspired some urban art to encourage the former council woman to practice what she preached:

Well, the Rapid City Democrat has now announced that she’s planning to try to inflict herself on Rapid City once more, according to the Rapid City Post:

“I am excited to return to City Hall and get back to work for all Rapid City residents,” Armstrong said. “Our community deserves leadership grounded in accountability, transparency and collaboration. I have always believed that when we bring people together, we find the strongest solutions.”

Read that here.

I’m guessing when she said, find the strongest solutions, she’s referring to using the force of her office to take to facebook & publicly shame businesses who don’t want to follow her opinion.

As she did before.