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Oooo.. The Republican legislative press conference this AM got a bit spicy as State Senator Jim Mehlhaff called out Gubernatorial wannabe Jon Hansen for his actions in continually putting up artificial barriers to development, and his constant fear mongering on any large scale project to bring jobs and economic development to South Dakota:

Jim Mehlhaff: and I would just, uh, comment on that.  I think you also, uh. You don’t wanna fear monger on stuff. And I think we’ve seen a, an awful lot of that about just about every, uh, economic development idea that’s come along in the last few years. And I think that is creating a very chilling atmosphere in South Dakota, uh, for developers and people who wanna make investments and improve the economic situation in South Dakota. Are probably, um, maybe looking elsewhere as a result of that. And with respect to a moratorium, I would not, uh, I, I would not support that. I think we can do our work without, uh, putting up another artificial barrier to development.

Jon Hansen: Well, you know, I would say in response to that, you know, characterizing the citizens’ concerns is

Jim Mehlhaff: you, [00:26:00] Mr. Speaker, I hope we don’t have to have a debate on every issue. I’ve kind You’ve had your say on a lot of stuff now. I’ve made one. So,

Jon Hansen: yeah,

Jim Mehlhaff: just I guess if these press conferences are gonna be debates between us and the Senate and that’s what they’ll be, but I don’t think that’s necessary.

Jon Hansen: I I, I’m simply stating that, you know, we’ve seen how these things have played out over the years. You know, you go back, the question was asked about the pipeline. And on the pipeline we just talked about Jared Bosley, and, you know, his house being, you know, entered into by these surveyors, hundreds,

Jim Mehlhaff: Mr. Speaker, was there ever a, an arrest for that home invasion? I’ve heard that. Over and over again. I was wondering if there was ever an arrest for a alleged home invasion.

Jon Hansen: Yeah, no, thank you for allowing me to speak. I appreciate it. So in that case, you know, these people went into [00:27:00] Jared’s house, into his shop, onto his property. In that case, you had hundreds of South Dakota landowners who were sued. And then now in this case, we’re hearing, you know, concerns about rate increases of upwards to 200 plus percent for people’s electric bills as a result of these data centers.

Watch the entire exchange at South Dakota Public Broadcasting and their youtube page.

There was more, including a shot by Senator Mehlhaff about how in the Senate bills are assigned to their proper committees to get a fair hearing… somewhat intimating that this is not a thing that happens in the House. Hansen claimed that that’s what happens in the house as well.. but we all know.

This might be one of the first leadership press conferences that’s worth watching this year!  Go check it out at Public Broadcasting.

Happy Birthday to Governor Larry Rhoden who turns 67 today!  Enjoy your day, Governor and wishes for many more to come!

(You can wish the Governor birthday greetings yourself over on his facebook page.)

After House Bill 1083 (establish the crime of felony stalking of a public official, and provide a penalty therefor) was eviscerated in committee a week or so back, I’m guessing State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer was unhappy.

Because she dusted it off, stripped it down to only keep the bad parts, made those even worse, and has now resurrected it as House Bill 1305 to not just cover state officials and legislators – but now has the felony threat about disseminating information about public officials going from the top, down to anyone who might be or has ever been touched by the term “public officer:”

(Of course, Carl Perry also signed on to it. Because Carl signs on to anything)

What is “public officer” perceived as being under Brandei’s Law?  In Chapter 22, buried in definitions, SDCL 22-1-2, it’s right there:

(39)    “Public officer,” any person who holds a position in the state government or in any of its political subdivisions, by election or appointment, for a definite period, whose duties are fixed by law, and who is invested with some portion of the sovereign functions of government;

Now, go back to the definition that the bill provides “No person may publicly disseminate the employment, home, or school address or location of a current or former public officer, or the officer’s family or household member:”   So, if you disseminate the location of – even just a family member of – a former public officer, someone might be guilty of a felony. Boy, the phone book and city directory publishers are going to be screwed. This is kind of nutty.

Of course, Brandei and Carl will probably go on about intent, and claim that the draconian potential isn’t what we think, but think about how deep and far reaching this is. The local weekly paper might be fighting out intent in court by publishing a photo noting who attended a ball game. Or, a news story about a public official. And considering how expansive this list it – current or former public officer or the officers family or household member – that might take up about everybody. It’s a small state.

Would a legislator be a public officer? Well, yes. Would the lay-person member of the State Board of Funeral Service be a public officer covered under Brandei’s Law? Hell yeah. And not just them, but  according to the language, so would every member of the State Fair Commission, their kids and their spouses (I’m looking at you Justin).  If someone said State Fair Commission member Bell is up at the Capitol being a lobbyist, and they didn’t do it with a smile *BOOM* They could be facing a felony arrest – and let them prove otherwise.

Former Senate President Pro Temp Lee Schoenbeck has taken off his cardigan for the day and he’s out hunting – and you tell people the location of where he is? And he feels you might be trying to be intimidate this former public officer out of his favorite pheasant spot? Brandei’s Law invoked – GO TO JAIL and do not collect $200!  And Lee’s a really good trial lawyer. Expect that if Brandei’s law passes, he’ll see you in court in a civil action too.

Here’s a scenario – a scoundrel who wants to avoid the harsh glare of the public’s eye takes up with a public officer. Under Brandei’s law, now the press might be facing criminal or civil action for making note of it, since they’re now a household member.  In fact, now that I think of it, could KELOland face a lawsuit if they disclose the town where a sex offender is living now under Brandei’s law? I know of at least one who is a member of a former pubic officer’s family.

That’s how bad and outright nutty this legislation is.

Heck, as ridiculous as it sounds, I would even be covered by Brandei’s law. My wife was elected to the Pierre School Board before we moved to Brookings. Because I am a family member of a former pubic officer, if I don’t think someone said “that @$$^&* lives in Brookings” with good intentions – by disclosing my location, they could be facing a Class 6 felony and a civil action in our new police state under Brandei’s Law.

Based on the testimony that was provided in House Bill 1083, the legislation that was rejected earlier, I know I’m failing to come close to describing all the problems with it.  But, if you feel we need Brandei’s law to protect Lee’s and my location like we’re in witness protection.. well, you should take a harder look at the kind of state you want to live in.

As seen at tonight’s Jacks game. It’s like you can’t get away from Josh Haeder!

Dusty Johnson Legislation Removes Statute of Limitations for Murder on Federal Lands

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced Kamisha’s Law to remove the statute of limitations for non-capital homicide crimes on federal and tribal lands. Kamisha’s Law honors Kamisha Nyvold, a toddler who was murdered in Sisseton, S.D., in 1992. Thirty years after the crime, new information led to the prosecution of the murderer, however, the five-year statute of limitations had passed. Prosecutors were unable to charge the defendant with second-degree murder. U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

“This is a much overdue reform for families like Kamisha’s,” said Johnson. “It’s unfortunate that Kamisha’s killer will only spend ten years behind bars. I’m grateful for Senator Rounds’ leadership on this issue to ensure justice for victims and for the advocacy of Kamisha’s mother, Christine Irwin, and her husband Roger.”

“Prosecution for murder should not have an expiration date,” said Rounds. “In the case of Jay Adams Jr., new evidence was not brought forward until over three decades after Kamisha was murdered. While he was prosecuted under a plea deal, this legislation rights a wrong by eliminating the statute of limitations for second-degree murder on federal lands. I appreciate Kamisha’s mother Christine and her husband Roger for working with my team on this legislation, and I appreciate Representative Johnson agreeing to carry companion legislation in the House. I look forward to working with my colleagues to honor Kamisha’s memory and get it across the finish line.”

“Kamisha’s Law is about accountability, protection, and making sure no other family has to endure the pain we live with every day,” said Christine and Roger Irwin. “Our daughter, Kamisha, is more than a name attached to legislation. She is deeply loved, and her life mattered. This law honors her by turning loss into action and grief into meaningful change. Kamisha’s Law represents a commitment to doing better—to closing gaps that allow harm to continue. No family should have to fight for justice only after the unthinkable has already happened. We call on lawmakers from both parties to come together and pass Kamisha’s Law without delay. Protecting families by ensuring offenders receive appropriate sentences must rise above politics. Bipartisan support sends a clear message that human life, safety, and accountability are shared values. We are grateful to the leaders who have listened, who have shown compassion, and who have chosen to act. Kamisha’s legacy will be one of impact, awareness, and protection for others. We urge Congress to stand united, pass Kamisha’s Law, and ensure that Kamisha’s life leads to lasting change.”

Background:

Kamisha Nyvold was a toddler who was murdered in Sisseton, S.D. in 1992. Thirty years after the crime, new information led to the prosecution of the murderer. However, the five-year statute of limitations had passed. Prosecutors were unable to charge the defendant with second-degree murder.

Prosecutors were forced to strike a deal with Kamisha’s killer, who then had to waive his statute of limitations and plea to manslaughter, resulting in a maximum 10-year sentence in federal prison.

Kamisha’s Law will eliminate the statute of limitations for non-capital homicide offenses on federal and tribal lands for the following crimes:

• Second-degree murder
• Voluntary/attempted manslaughter
• Second-degree murder, voluntary/attempted manslaughter of U.S. government officers and employees engaged in official duties, and those assisting
• Second-degree murder, voluntary/attempted manslaughter of foreign officials, official guests, and internationally protected persons
• Second-degree murder by federal prisoners serving life sentences
• Second-degree murder, voluntary/attempted manslaughter on foreign soil of U.S. nationals by U.S. nationals
• Second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter by escaped federal prisoners serving life sentences
• Second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter of persons aiding federal law enforcement or state correctional officers

Click here for bill text.

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From my personal e-mail, just got this note from the Brookings School District:

BSD Families,

The South Dakota Department of Health has informed the district that a spectator who attended Saturday’s Les Tlustos Wrestling Invitational has since tested positive for measles. The Department of Health does not plan to conduct contact tracing related to this event and has not provide additional information.

Families with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the South Dakota Department of Health directly.

That’s just great.

Had this discussion with my wife a couple of days ago where people mistakenly don’t think measles is a big deal.  And in many cases, it isn’t. But in some, it’s more than bad. And why we get vaccinated.

Measles gives some people a runny nose, high fever, etc. And with some measles causes health complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, and kills some people.

Wonder why we used to have a school for the deaf and it seemed there used to be more hearing impaired children? That’s one reason. Measles infection during pregnancy, particularly close to delivery, can affect the development of the fetus’s auditory system, leading to permanent, profound deafness, among other disabilities. Or miscarriage, premature birth, or (again) brain damage.

That’s why we vaccinate kids with the MMR vaccine. And why we don’t need the goofy anti-vaxxers trying to dictate public policy to remove these requirements in our schools.

KELOland is reporting that a legislative committee voted to send projects that would bring jobs and revenue that could help alleviate tax burden in our state to North Dakota and Nebraska. Again.

Am I talking about CO2 pipelines? No, silly. We killed the revenues and investment that such a project was going to bring to the South Dakota economy last year, and they’ve already left for greener pastures. Today, House State Affairs voted against providing tax incentives to kill more investment in our communities – the mega-million dollar data centers that want to come here.

The same types of tax incentives all of our neighbors are offering. But South Dakota apparently won’t:

The prime sponsor, Republican Rep. Kent Roe of Hayti, said the incentive would attract large data centers to South Dakota. Roe said data centers would pay substantial amounts of property taxes at a time when many people are complaining their property taxes are too high. He noted that 40 states offer sales-tax breaks to data centers, including South Dakota’s six neighboring states.

and..

Voting yes to kill the bill were Republicans Jessica Bahmuller of Alexandria, Spencer Gosch of Glenham, Hansen, Leslie Heinemann of Flandreau, Karla Lems of Canton, Schaefbauer, Overweg and Scott Odenbach of Spearfish, and Democrat Erin Healy of Sioux Falls. Voting no were Emery, Jamison and Republican Tim Reisch of Howard.

Read it here.

And people wonder why their taxes keep going up, and their kids keep moving away?  Because when projects want to come here and pay sales tax on the power they’re going to buy, property taxes on the buildings they put up, payroll taxes on the people they hire to build and staff the places, plus much of the same for the people they bring into the community, people won’t cut them a tax break on computer equipment to go in the buildings?

With the anti-development attitude the NIMBY’s and BANANA’s leading the legislature have, instead of calling South Dakota the Land of Infinite Variety, we should change the slogan to South Dakota. No.

Thune: Female Athletes Deserve a Level Playing Field

“Thanks to this administration’s actions, Title IX is being enforced and upheld, and women and girls playing sports at federally funded educational institutions are protected.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Click here to watch the video.

 

This goofy data center nonsense “Notice of Maladministration” material was apparently put on desks in the House chamber by Representative Dylan Jordan this morning.

(Seriously, I don’t look for this goofy stuff).  If they ignore or fail to deliver this notice, they agree to pay $30,000.

Does this mean that legislators are supposed to defer to all the goofy nonsense material sent to them, or is it just Rep. Dylan Jordan?

Attorney General Jackley Presents Public Integrity Report to Legislative Committee

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released his Public Integrity Report to the Government Operations & Audit Committee. The report details the work of the Public Integrity Unit in 2025, which reviewed 47 unique reports of misconduct by state government employees, resulting in 14 criminal investigations and four state employees being criminally charged. All four cases are still pending.

“South Dakotans deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, and free from corruption,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I am committed to ensuring South Dakota remains the most honest and ethical state government in the nation.”

The Public Integrity Unit was established through Senate Bill 62, proposed by Attorney General Jackley, passed by the 2025 Legislature, and signed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. The legislation created mandatory reporting requirements for state employee misconduct and provided protections for employees who make good-faith reports to authorities.

Housed within the Attorney General’s Office, the Public Integrity Unit investigates cases of state employee misconduct. It includes an Assistant Attorney General serving as prosecutor and a Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Supervisory Special Agent serving as investigator.

Gov Rhoden said: “In several states across our country, corruption and fraudulent practices are going unchecked — and in South Dakota, we stood up against it. Our people deserve transparency and accountability, now more than ever. I am proud to work with the Attorney General on instituting and implementing this law.”

“The more than 14,000 South Dakota state employees are hardworking, law-abiding public servants who dedicate themselves to serving the state,’ said Attorney General Jackley. “We will not allow a few to tarnish the sterling reputation of the majority.”

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