Category: Uncategorized

A Commonsense Fix to Strengthen Employee Benefits Nationwide
by Jon Olson, Financial Industry Executive
Sioux Falls, SD

South Dakota has a longstanding history of leadership in the financial sector, demonstrated by our state’s proactive approach to shaping policies that foster economic growth. South Dakota leaders have consistently taken the initiative to update and modernize laws ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of both businesses and workers. In the early 1980s, Governor Bill Janklow overhauled the state’s lending laws (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/interviews/janklow.html), making South Dakota the destination for Citibank, which sparked the national credit card boom. Decades later, Governor Dennis Daugaard kept South Dakota’s trust industry competitive (https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota-quietly-became-a-leader-in-national-trust-field), attracting businesses from across the country and cementing the state’s reputation as a national leader in protecting trust assets.

Today Congress has a chance to follow South Dakota’s leadership around pro-worker policies by passing the Strengthening Benefit Plans Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Tim Scott (R–S.C.). This policy would unlock pension plan assets so companies can send those dollars right back to their employees.

Decades ago, responsible employers contributed funds to ensure retirees’ care needs would be covered. Today, many of those accounts are overfunded, in some cases by as much as 175 percent. Billions of dollars sit untouched in pension accounts across the nation due to the usual government red tape. Under current law, companies are prohibited from using the surplus to support current workers. Resources that could enhance active employee benefits, strengthen pensions, or help offset rising care costs remain locked away.

Under the Strengthening Benefit Plans Act of 2025, surplus assets in retiree health accounts could be redirected to provide other employee benefits, all with strong safeguards in place to protect retirees. Pension plans must be fully funded before any transfers, benefits must remain vested, and all funds would be held in trust to ensure accountability. This policy prevents manipulation, and no employer could cut retiree benefits or artificially inflate surplus to access these funds. This is the simple, commonsense answer that workers deserve.

This approach benefits all parties involved. Employers gain flexibility to better support their workforce, employees see improvements in benefits and lower health costs, and taxpayers benefit because these funds have already been deducted which means using them generates new federal revenue without raising taxes. It’s an all-around win which is a rarity in politics these days.

During my time working in the financial sector, I witnessed firsthand how critical it is to invest in the employees who form the backbone of our state’s economy. We owe our workers more than just a salary; we owe them policies that recognize their hard work and strengthen the systems they depend on.

Congress must ensure that these resources are put to work where they belong, supporting employees and strengthening our economy. That said, I have no doubt that Majority Leader John Thune, a steadfast champion for South Dakota and a tireless advocate for practical, commonsense solutions, will continue to lead the charge. South Dakotans voted for Leader Thune for a reason: to fight for policies that promote fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and opportunity for all.

This policy aligns with conservative principles of fiscal responsibility and efficient government. It rewards companies that responsibly fund benefits, strengthens businesses, and directly supports employees: all without additional taxpayer cost. In a divided Washington, this is the type of practical, pro-growth solution that conservatives will champion.

South Dakota businesses understand how outdated federal rules can hinder flexibility and growth. We’ve proven that updating laws to match real-world needs not only works but creates lasting change. It’s time for Congress to act, ensuring that hard-earned retiree pension plans can benefit both employees today and the broader economy tomorrow.

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Senator Davis and Representative Rehfeldt Announce Legislation to Reform SNAP

BURBANK, S.D. – Today, Senator Sydney Davis (R-District 17) and Representative Taylor Rehfeldt (R-District 14) announced they will introduce legislation for the 2026 Legislative Session to reform South Dakota’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aligning the state with much-needed reforms championed by the Trump Administration through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“SNAP should support healthier choices while ensuring accountability and responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” said Representative Rehfeldt. “With President Trump and his Administration urging states to take the lead on meaningful reforms, South Dakota should not be the one dragging its feet.”

Rehfeldt and Davis noted that the introduction of this legislation, unfortunately, follows months of inaction from the Rhoden Administration. Earlier this summer, Rehfeldt and Davis sent a formal letter to Governor Rhoden urging the administration to submit a waiver request. The waiver would have allowed South Dakota to modernize the program, promote healthier food choices, and strengthen accountability.

“Earlier this summer, we asked Governor Rhoden to take the first step by submitting a waiver request from the USDA,” said Senator Davis. “Unfortunately, the administration said that implementation would be too burdensome and declined to pursue it. If the executive branch won’t lead on this issue, we will.“

Currently, a growing number of both Republican and Democratic-led states are stepping up to reform SNAP. To date, at least a dozen states have received USDA waivers allowing them to prohibit SNAP purchases of sugary drinks, candy, or other low-nutrition items beginning in 2026.

As both mothers and healthcare professionals, Rehfeldt and Davis emphasized that their efforts are rooted in compassion, responsible governance, and a commitment to long-term positive health outcomes for children and families.

The bill text can be found here and is expected to be published before the 2026 Legislative Session.

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State Senator Brandon Wipf Announces Campaign to Continue Serving District 22

HURON, S.D. – Today, State Senator Brandon Wipf announced his campaign to continue serving District 22 in the South Dakota State Senate. Wipf was appointed by Governor Rhoden earlier this year, following the resignation of former Senator David Wheeler, who was appointed to the Third Judicial Circuit Court.

“Serving in the State Senate has already been a tremendous honor,” Wipf said. “In the short time since my appointment, I have had the privilege of meeting with so many constituents across District 22 who are deeply invested in South Dakota’s future. Their perspective and passion have strengthened my determination to continue serving them.”

Wipf has been a strong advocate for South Dakota agriculture at both the state and national levels. After serving on the South Dakota Soybean Association board, he was elected to the American Soybean Association in 2017, where he became known as a steady, effective leader, representing producers in national media, testifying before Congress, and working internationally to advance U.S. agricultural trade.

He also played a key leadership role in Commodity Classic, one of the nation’s premier farmer-led trade shows, helping grow its reach and impact. Across the industry, Wipf is recognized as a coalition builder who brings people together to deliver results.

If elected, Wipf plans to strengthen the agricultural economy, expand workforce opportunities, and keep government limited and accountable. His priorities include supporting rural infrastructure, promoting fair markets for producers, and ensuring families have the environment they need to grow deep roots, reflecting his commitment to individual liberty, personal faith, and the dignity of hard work.

A graduate of James Valley Christian School and Dordt College with a degree in electrical engineering, Wipf farms alongside his parents on their family operation south of Doland. He lives in rural Huron with his wife, Mandy, an engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran.

District 22 includes Beadle, Clark, and Spink counties.

Absentee voting begins on April 17, 2026, and the Republican Primary Election is on June 2, 2026.

For more information about Brandon’s campaign, please visit BrandonWipf.com or connect with his campaign on Facebook.

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The Hypocrisy of Rick Weiland’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment
by Nathan Sanderson, Ph.D.
Executive Director, South Dakota Retailers Association

Representative Rebecca Reimer Announces Candidacy for State Senate in District 26

OACOMA, S.D. – Today, State Representative Rebecca Reimer announced her candidacy for the South Dakota State Senate in District 26, pledging to continue serving with excellence and putting the people of District 26 first.

“It has been an honor to represent District 26B for almost eight years in the State House,” said Reimer. “I’m more determined than ever to continue serving in an even greater capacity because I believe deeply in the people of District 26 and in what we can accomplish together.”

Throughout her legislative service, Reimer has built a strong record of leadership and policy expertise across major committees, including State Affairs, Judiciary, Education, Health and Human Services, and Local Government. In the upcoming session, she will transition from the Health and Human Services Committee to the Taxation Committee, where she will continue advocating for lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, and the careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

If elected to the State Senate, Reimer will continue championing the priorities that matter most to District 26. She will stand with agriculture and the farmers and ranchers who drive the rural economy. She will work to grow small businesses and keep opportunities local. She will strengthen access to healthcare and essential services close to home, especially in rural and underserved areas. She will continue backing law enforcement and reinforcing the partnerships that keep communities safe. She will empower parents, teachers, and local schools so every child has the opportunity to succeed. And she will protect secure, transparent elections worthy of voters’ trust.

Reimer’s long-standing involvement in community service, youth programs, and local leadership reflects her deep commitment to building strong communities where families can live, work, and raise their children.

Reimer is a wife, mother, and small business owner. She lives in Oacoma with her family.

Absentee voting begins April 17, 2026. The Republican Primary Election will be held on June 2, 2026.

District 26 includes Brule, Buffalo, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, and Todd counties.

For more information, visit RebeccaReimer.com or follow her campaign on Facebook and X.

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Stop the presses! Toby Doeden must be burning through cash too quickly!

Why do we question this? Because his jet – the same one he flies to catch up with one of the monkeys (such as Cole Heisey or Logan Manhart) driving his campaign bus around the state  – has been put on the market for an eye-popping $4.495 million.

In case you need the receipts, according to one aircraft for sale website:

This 2020 Cessna Citation M2 with the tail numbers N898GT is being offered through sale through an Oklahoma Aviation broker.

In case you didn’t recognize the $4.5 million dollar jet from it being flown into Pierre to complain about what he called “a Taj Mahal prison project..” according to Federal Aviation Administration, that tail number belongs to:

DDD Aviation of Aberdeen, SD. And do I have to tell you the rest? Of course DDD Aviation is Toby.

Is the problem that Toby needs a faster jet to keep up with the bus? Or as I wonder, is the campaign burning through cash so quickly they need to economize, and Toby will have to actually ride along with the peasants?

As you contemplate why somebody who flies around South Dakota to campaign events in a $4.5 million jet is spending unlimited amounts for a job that pays $146,472.30, just remember Toby’s own words..

“When will ALL Americans wake up and realize that the super wealthy control what you do, what you think, and soon will control even more.”

Budget Principles
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
November 28, 2025

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of time with family and friends, great food, and gratitude for our abundance of blessings. As Thanksgiving turns to Christmas and gratitude turns to generosity, I’m preparing to present a balanced budget to the South Dakota Legislature.

We do a lot of things right in South Dakota. Our people are some of the most generous in the nation. A big reason for that is our government doesn’t tax them to death, so they have the flexibility to give more of their own hard-earned income in support of their neighbors.

I’ve served in the Capitol for over 20 years, including 16 years in both chambers of the Legislature and six years as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Noem. For all of those years, I was engaged in the budget process – but this will be the first budget with my name on it, so I’d like to set the table with some core budget principles for how I approached this budget.

First and foremost, this money is the people’s money – not ours. So we spend it wisely and return it to the people when we can. We balance our budget. Every year. For 136 years in a row – and this budget will make the 137th. And we don’t use any gimmicks to do it – we structurally balance our budget. To achieve that, we don’t spend money we don’t have.

More specifically, we don’t spend one-time money on ongoing expenses. We use one-time dollars to pay debt, invest in projects that will have a long-term benefit, or endow an ongoing cost to save taxpayer money over the long haul. We don’t engage in wishful thinking – we conservatively project revenue and expenses. We maintain at least 10% of our budget in reserves to save for true emergencies. And we fully fund our pension and protect our AAA credit rating.

These are principles we have followed in the past, and I am strongly committed to following them as well. If we do, we’ll be in good shape, no matter how tough it gets.

My budget invests in our people. It keeps South Dakota strong, safe, and free by making targeted investments where we should, saving extra money for the future, and still paving the way for property tax relief. We recognize these dollars aren’t ours. They belong to the good people of South Dakota. As our state motto says: “Under God, the People Rule.”

I look forward to sharing my budget with the Legislature and the people of South Dakota, then working through it in the upcoming legislative session. In the meantime, may God continue to bless the great state of South Dakota.

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And fresh off of lying to voters, Toby Doeden apparently can’t stop his campaign’s rutting around in the pig sty as after they chose to selectively edit a KELOland story, causing their actions to become tonight’s top story:

The campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden posted a video Friday on social media which was selectively edited to exclude quotes from and a photo of Jon Hansen, another GOP candidate in South Dakota’s 2026 race for the governor’s office.

And..

A campaign spokesperson for Johnson, who currently holds South Dakota’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, sent KELOLAND News a statement: “The irony of a candidate manipulating a news story only to call someone else a liar is not lost on the people of South Dakota.”

And from Governor Rhoden’s campaign..

“I think your tweet already identifies that Doeden is misconstruing your reporting, and it’s pretty clear he’s misconstruing the Governor’s position.”

Read the entire story here.

Remember this pledge from Toby Doeden?  From November 14:

Today, I want to make something absolutely crystal clear: there is no room for hate, vitriol, or personal attacks from people supporting our campaign.

 – Toby Doeden for Governor
Facebook Post, November 14, 2025

No room for hate, vitriol, or personal attacks from people supporting our campaign? As you might’ve guessed, that lasted about a whole five minutes, as you can read from one of his first Facebook posts of the Christmas season:

“There is no room for personal attacks” from one side of his mouth and “Dusty Johnson is a liar.” “Larry Rhoden plans to raise your taxes; he doesn’t think you pay enough” out of the other side.

The only thing you can count on from Toby Doeden is that he will say damn near anything in his pursuit of running for office, regardless of the fact it contradicts what he said five minutes earlier.

In this campaign for governor, how do you know when Toby Doeden is lying? Clearly, it’s when his lips are moving.

The malcontents in the Minnehaha County GOP who were overruled by the State Republican Party in their attempt to oust the Minnehaha GOP chairman have a Thanksgiving message for Republican voters in that county.

Unfortunately, it is as sour and bitter as their repudiation was. In part:

From: Minnehaha County GOP Executive Board <minnehahacounty.gop@gmail.com>
Date: November 26, 2025 at 10:57:58 PM CST
Subject: Update from your elected board officers

We would like to address several inaccuracies, omissions, and misunderstandings contained in recent public statements regarding events in Minnehaha County concerning the Country Republican Party through November 2025. Our goal is accuracy, transparency, and ensuring the public has a full and factual picture of what has occurred.

And..

Contrary to statements in the recent press release:

· The October 27 meeting was valid, properly noticed, and met quorum requirements.

· The state board only reinstated the county chair, pending a proposed bylaws change by the state central committee and informed the bank of its action.

· Other actions taken at that meeting remain valid and in force.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. No. That’s just a plain fabrication. They didn’t “reinstate” the chair. Because the party declared the attempted coup INVALID:

The South Dakota Republican Party said Minnehaha County GOP Chairman Korry Petterson will remain in office.

A vote to remove him on Monday was ruled invalid by the state’s executive board.

Read that here.

But getting back to the e-mail message…

State Executive Board Involvement

For months, the state chairman stated that Minnehaha County issues must be resolved locally and that the state lacked authority to intervene. We were told to solve the problems within our county. When the county followed that guidance of the state chair and acted within its rules, those actions were subsequently overturned by the state chair and the state GOP board—an abrupt departure from prior direction.

During the mandated state board meeting regarding Minnehaha County, the state chair interrupted my allotted five-minute statement despite his own rules prohibiting interruptions. When I attempted to explain, the exchange escalated and became highly unprofessional with profanity and shouting by the state chair directed to me. Upon request, the meeting’s audio file was provided but was corrupted and unusable.

On November 3, 2025, the state executive board met with a legal expert present. The board voted to hold an investigative committee meeting on November 12 in Sioux Falls and to keep the county bank account frozen pending review.

Following that meeting, communications about Minnehaha County matters were being distributed by Londa Grottng. We have serious reservations as to the legitimacy of her election.

All documentation requested by the state inquiry has been submitted by us. To our knowledge, the county chair submitted only one affidavit, which has not been shared with us from the chair or state chair. Nor has the requested financial reports been shared.

On November 10, 2025, the state executive board met again. The legal expert was told he was no longer needed and was not permitted to join the call. The board voted to reinstate Chairman Petterson based on internal review and AI-generated analysis rather than legal counsel. Notification was not provided to us directly; the decision was instead announced on Facebook. The press release erroneously implied the vote was unanimous, which it was not.

And..

We encourage all members to attend upcoming meetings, stay engaged, and help ensure accountability. It will take all of us working together to restore trust and move the Minnehaha County Party forward.

Sincerely,
Marsha Symens Vice Chair
Bridget Myers, Committeewoman

The e-mailed sour grapes Thanksgiving message is evidence of one clear thing; That until the Minnehaha GOP gets their communications locked down, they are going to continue to look like a clown show.

Are there any other counties where the vice-chair and committeewoman are running roughshod over the chair and organization and declaring themselves “in charge?”  No.

Time to change the e-mail password to send mass e-mails, tell them to knock off the power trip, and to work to elect Republicans. Instead of driving people away.