Category: Uncategorized

National Republicans are showing up to advance agricultural export policies…here in South Dakota.
by Luke Lindberg, South Dakota District Export Council

Tomorrow, the South Dakota District Export Council will host a Midwest Agricultural Export Summit for the first time. This regional event brings together agricultural leaders from six states, SD, ND, IA, MN, NE and KS, to coordinate on export policies that will help our farmers and ranchers feed the world. And the speaker list is top-notch.

As we put out requests for individuals to join this summit, the response was overwhelming, particularly from well-known, Republican leaders in agricultural policy. Currently, we have seven confirmed speakers who were appointed to government posts by President Donald J. Trump (myself included) and four confirmed Members of Congress. I’m also pleased that Governor Noem will welcome the attendees to South Dakota.

The speaking list includes:

Former Appointees

• Ambassador Terry Branstad, Former Ambassador to China and Governor of Iowa
• Ambassador Kip Tom, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, and Chief of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations
• The Honorable Kimberly Reed, Former President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States
• The Honorable Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA and Former Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
• The Honorable Ken Barbic, Head of Policy and Government Relations at Farmer’s Business Network and Former Assistant Secretary of Congressional Relations at USDA
• The Honorable Michelle Bekkering, Director of National Engagement at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Former Assistant Administrator at USAID
• Luke J. Lindberg, Former Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States

Members of Congress

• The Honorable John Thune, Senate Minority Whip and U.S. Senator from South Dakota
• The Honorable Dusty Johnson, U.S. Representative from South Dakota
• The Honorable Randy Feenstra, U.S. Representative from Iowa
• The Honorable Michelle Fischbach, U.S. Representative from Minnesota

And our very own Governor, Kristi Noem!

Unfortunately, we were not able to secure any Democratic speakers, despite our best efforts.

The South Dakota District Export Council is hosting this event to ensure our farmers and ranchers are paid a fair price for their meats and grains. Today’s geopolitical environment is far too uncertain for us not to plan for the future, expand access to new markets, and develop the infrastructure needed to export our products.

Please join me in welcoming these great Republicans to South Dakota!

PHOTOS: Governor Farrar Brought into State Capitol; Lying in State

PIERRE, S.D. – Last night, Former Governor Frank L. Farrar was brought into the State Capitol by South Dakota National Guardsmen and South Dakota State Troopers. There was a small ceremony with members of Governor Farrar’s family. Governor Farrar is now lying in state, and his casket was guarded by an honor guard of South Dakota National Guardsmen and South Dakota State Troopers through the night. Photos of the proceedings can be found here, courtesy of the Office of Governor Kristi Noem.

Former Governor Frank L. Farrar will be honored at the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Public viewing will be allowed from 7 am to 11 am CT. A memorial ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda is scheduled for 1 pm to 2 pm.

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I’m thinking the legislative map is going to be redrawn by the Supreme Court at this point, if the news story in the Argus provides any clues:

The Senate’s preferred map, known as Blackbird 2.0, aims to make districts more compact while more clearly defining urban and rural areas of the state, supporters say. But House members leading the opposition to the Senate’s map say it intentionally pits conservatives who currently hold office against one another in the 2022 election and beyond.

And..

Schoenbeck said he’s still hopeful a compromise can be reached, but the decision was made to adjourn for the day after waiting hours for the House to schedule a time and place to convene a conference committee composed of three representatives and three senators.

House Republicans were caucusing in secret as of 9 p.m

Read it all here.

If the House won’t schedule a conference committee to iron out map differences, it really leaves the whole process dead in the water.

We’ll see whether today brings compromise or dysfunction. But either way, it’s all moving forward.

The DNC recently ramped up their monthly giving to the SD Dems by 25%. While it’s appreciated, it’s also laughable in light of the .5 FTE we can hire with that money as opposed to the 5 FT staff we need on the ground yesterday.

— Susan Kroger (@susanckroger) November 8, 2021

South Dakota Democrat activist and co-founder of LEAD South Dakota, Susan Kroger is on Twitter tonight lamenting last week’s election, and trying to tell people that South Dakota Democrats don’t need people coming to South Dakota to tell them how to win elections, because South Dakota Democrats “know to steer clear of issues like guns and abortion.”  (As if referring to Republicans as an “infection” wasn’t offensive enough.)

What she does say they need is MONEY –  and what money national Democrats put into the South Dakota Democrat party is “laughable.”

The best part might be that she provides a link to donate.

But instead of giving to the State Democrat Party, she suggests you give it to her allegedly ‘non-partisan’ organization.

(And of course, we have one of the leaders of the South Dakota ACLU cheering her on.)

REMINDER: Former Gov. Frank L. Farrar to be Honored at State Capitol on Tuesday

PIERRE, S.D. – Former Governor Frank L. Farrar will be honored at the South Dakota State Capitol on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Public viewing will be allowed from 7 am to 11 am CT. A memorial ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda is scheduled for 1 pm to 2 pm.

Those wishing to pay their respects may enter the Capitol Building via the north doors (parking lot side). Those unable to attend may watch the memorial ceremony live on SDPB1 on air and cable as well as streaming on sd.net.

Access to the second-floor Rotunda will be closed at 11 am to allow time to set up for the memorial ceremony. Access will begin at 12:30 pm for that ceremony, again via the north doors. Circle Drive in front of the Capitol will close at 5 pm on Monday and remain closed to the public until after 3 pm on Tuesday.

Reverend Jason Mueller will officiate at the memorial ceremony. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson of Britton, SD will offer a welcome. Remembrances will be offered by Governor Kristi Noem and Former Governor Dennis Daugaard. The ceremony will include musical performances by Kate Wismer, vocalist, accompanied by Peggy Davidson, pianist, both of Britton, SD, and Shawn Cable, vocalist, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The ceremony will conclude with members of the South Dakota National Guard along with South Dakota Highway Patrol carrying the casket down the front steps of the Capitol. As the procession exits the Capitol, there will be a 21-gun salute and taps.

Former Governor Farrar’s funeral service has been set for Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Amacher Auditorium of Britton-Hecla High School, 759 5th Street, Britton, South Dakota 57430. Gov. Farrar will be laid to rest in Britton Cemetery following the service.

Governor Kristi Noem has requested that flags be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise through sunset until Saturday, November 13, the day of Former Gov. Farrar’s interment.

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From Twitter:

A Guns ‘n Rose ‘Cold November Rain’ vibe this A.M. outside the Statehouse in Pierre as Rapid City Rep. Taffy Howard, who is challenging Congressman Dusty Johnson, steps to microphone at the anti-Vax rally. Tough to hear much over generators for adjacent “Food Mama” food truck. pic.twitter.com/asguDitBms

— ChristopherVondracek (@ChrisVondracek) November 8, 2021

I hope nobody gets sick from standing in the rain.

The Anti-Vaccination ‘Medical Freedom’ protest is in full swing at the State Capitol, and I wonder why they needed to block off a road for this:

Some shots from the vaccine mandate ban protest outside the State Capitol this morning pic.twitter.com/BIDHNTFgwv

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) November 8, 2021

(I don’t think they’re going to get to 200 participants to get the Mexican chicken rice bowl discount from $15 to $12.)

We’ve finally reached the anointed time for the special session redrawing state legislative districts, and knowing our State Legislature, it’s any guess what is going to happen.

The Senate has been an open book through out the entire process, noting and re-noting their plans with a full explanation. The House…..   well.. maybe not so much, with House members calling me to find out if I’d heard anything. A map was finally sketched out, but it instantly took a bit of criticism.

But it’s a new day, and all the players are finally in the same building together. And that raises a big question. What are they going to manage to do today?  And along those lines, I’m hoping you’ll weigh in.

Sound off, and offer your comments below. And we’ll see what kind of legislative sausage we end up with (or don’t end up with) at the end of the day.

(Update… the darn poll software didn’t work. But I am interested in your comments about the special session)

Thank You, Veterans
By Sen. John Thune 

Click here or on the picture to watch the video

On Veterans Day we remember all those who have served in the United States military. Thanks to my job as a senator, I have been privileged to meet a lot of our South Dakota veterans, as well as our airmen at Ellsworth Air Force Base and members of the South Dakota Air and Army National Guard. And it is the honor of my life to represent them in Congress.

Earlier this year, I had the chance to talk to a lot of our veterans at the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars annual convention, and I was reminded once again how much we owe to these men and women. We live in peace and freedom because of their sacrifices. This year I’ve also had the chance to interact with many men and women who are still serving at several National Guard activation and deactivation ceremonies, and I’ve appreciated the opportunity to hear from our Guard members and from their families, who sacrifice so much to support their loved ones.

I may be biased, but I’m pretty sure that South Dakota has the most outstanding Guard troops in the nation. The South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114^th Fighter Wing was recently recognized for the fifth time for combat readiness and unit performance with the Spaatz Trophy. For the second year in a row, the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 152^nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion received an award for the nation’s most outstanding Army National Guard battalion.

And, of course, congratulations once again to Ellsworth Air Force Base on the most exciting news of the year – being officially selected as the first base to host the B-21 bomber. I couldn’t be prouder to welcome this mission in the years ahead.

On Veterans Day and every day, I remember my favorite veteran of all, my dad Harold Thune. My father was a fighter pilot who flew Hellcats off the U.S.S. Intrepid in the Pacific theater during World War II, and I came to know the Greatest Generation through him – their humility, their quiet service, their deep patriotism, and their dedication to the cause of freedom. My dad died last year, and I have always been grateful that I was able to sit down with him for the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project to hear about his service.

Of course, he kept turning the conversation to those he served with. Like other members of the Greatest Generation – and so many of the veterans I’ve met – my dad wasn’t interested in bragging about his achievements. He won the Distinguished Flying Cross, but he didn’t talk about that. What he did like to talk about was the men he served with, and what they did.

Between my dad and the opportunities I have had to interact with our airmen and Guard members and with generations of South Dakota veterans, I know very well that members of the military are a special breed. They are men and women of purpose, driven by a love of country, a commitment to their comrades, and a desire to protect the innocent from danger. I am grateful every day to the men and women of our nation’s military, who stand guard around the world so that we can live in peace and freedom. I am also profoundly grateful to their families, who sacrifice time with their loved ones and shoulder many tasks alone to ensure their loved ones can complete their mission.

This Veterans Day, those who served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years are on my mind and heart in a special way. I know it was painful for many of them to watch the Afghanistan withdrawal and see the Taliban take over, and to know that the safety of many security partners, interpreters, and their families, as well as the lives of millions of Afghans, remain at the mercy of the Taliban. But I want our veterans to know that their work was not in vain. They helped keep terrorism away from our nation for two decades and introduced a generation of Afghans to freedom. And I am convinced that the seeds of liberty they sowed will yet bear fruit.

To South Dakota veterans, and to all those who have served our nation, thank you. We owe you a debt we can never repay.

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Build Back Broke
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
November 5, 2021

It is Groundhog Day again on Capitol Hill.  Every week, for the past seven weeks, House Democrats have claimed we will vote on their massive spending bill. Not surprisingly, it’s 5pm on Friday and a vote in the U.S. House has was open for over eight hours. This bill is so large, and so partisan, even Democrats cannot come to an agreement within their own party.

The Democrats’ spending spree is not what Americans want. More than 60% of Americans do not believe the plan will help the economy or their families, and they are right. It’s a “cradle to grave” welfare revamp. A 50-50 Senate and a narrowly divided House portrays a population that wants and needs bipartisan, common ground solutions.

If made permanent, “Build Back Better,” or as some are calling it “Build Back Broke,” will skyrocket the deficit by $2.5 trillion more every decade. It would place more strain on Medicare, further risking insolvency in five years.

Growing up on welfare assistance, I know the good that a safety net provides for those struggling to make ends meet, but this bill would not help those who need it most. It would lower wages, slow job creation, and increase the deficit, compared to the Tax Foundation baseline. This bill undermines work, rather than encouraging it, during a time when there is already a workforce crisis.

The University of Chicago found that 1.5 million Americans will leave the workforce because of the subsidies and tax credits included in this bill, leaving our country further behind in the race to economic recovery following COVID-19.

America needs opportunity-expanding programs that encourage work, rather than disincentivize it. Today’s jobs report was finally better than the past two months – now it not that time to pass a bill that will stand directly in the way of that progress.

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