Category: Uncategorized

There were a bill heard yesterday in House State Affairs which seemed to tie into some of the attacks a particular group has used against legislators to call some conservative and some not so conservative.

The measure was an attempt to pass legislation allowing use of the Legislative Research Council to do the dirty work of groups such as the Citizens for Liberty, who were strongly involved in the measure, because they want research help to assist in attacking legislators.

From the University of South Dakota College Republican group, a poll conducted over the last weekend or so via Twitter had a somewhat lopsided result:

Who do you think will win the South Dakota Congressional Republican Primary? Vote now!

— USD GOP (@USDCollegeRepub) March 4, 2018

Jackley Launches “Ready to Lead” TV Spot

PIERRE, SD: Attorney General and Republican candidate for governor Marty Jackley announced today that his first television ad of the primary campaign, “Ready to Lead,” will be hitting the airwaves.

“We believe South Dakotans deserve a conservative governor who will fight to uphold the values that our families live by every day,” Jackley said. “That’s why we wanted this ad to highlight my lifelong commitment to those conservative principles: Protecting the family, defending human life, honoring the promise of the Second Amendment, reducing the size and scope of government, and empowering the individual.”

The ad features actions Jackley has taken during his career to advance those principles, including his creation of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and his close work with law enforcement that resulted in endorsements from more than 60 local sheriffs.

“Our campaign today is optimistic, energized and working hard,” Jackley said, “and we look forward to traveling across the state to share more of our vision with the people of South Dakota.”

On Saturday April 21, 2018 at 8 am at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University, Author and John Thune Staff Member Jon Lauck is going to be chairing a panel of speakers on the politics of the 1980’s in South Dakota. Here’s who you can hear from:

Session 15 Panel III: The Politics of the 1980s in South Dakota Chair: Jon K. Lauck (author) University of South Dakota

Sean Flynn – Dakota Wesleyan University Catherine McNicol Stock – Connecticut College Marshall Damgaard – University of South Dakota Drey Samuelson – TakeItBack.org Bob Mercer – Pure Pierre Politics

If you weren’t around during ‘the greatest decade’ make a point to attend and find out what you missed!

Republican candidate for governor Terry LaFleur is proposing quite the interesting health care plan for South Dakota. Interesting, as in it makes you question if he believes in unicorns and the Easter Bunny

Because his plan for free Universal government health care paid for exclusively by donations seems to originate from childhood fantasies where it’s the tooth fairy who delivers money to children whenever they lose a tooth.

Because only in fantasies like that does someone have unlimited funds that magically appear.

Amazingly, LaFleur declares that if you don’t believe in his utopian fantasy that makes Bernie Sanders sound conservative in comparison, “he doesn’t have time to listen to you.”

Oookay..

From the Argus Leader in December of 2016 comes a prophetic statement in the Argus’ series of 17 people to watch in 2017:

17 in ’17: Ann Tornberg, South Dakota Democrats

The chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party will have the opportunity to help the party regain momentum or continue to sink into oblivion.

and..

Tornberg has said the party is re-grouping and hoping that it can determine a course forward that includes re-branding and an appeal to more Republicans and independent voters. But the task won’t be easy as Democrats have nearly 83,000 fewer registered voters than Republicans.

Read that here.

“help the party regain momentum or continue to sink into oblivion?”  Noting how they lost 11,000 voters, I think it was the second one.

Big Wins for South Dakota
By Sen. John Thune

I’ve often said that my Senate committee assignments put me in a unique position to give issues that are important to South Dakota the attention they deserve, and there are plenty of results to show for it. For example, my spot on the Agriculture Committee allows me to advocate for South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers, and with their help, I’ve been introducing bill after bill over the last year as we approach this fall’s deadline on the next farm bill. No one knows agriculture policy better than the folks who help make agriculture our state’s top industry, and because of them, we’re in a much stronger position.

Serving on the Finance Committee, which sets our nation’s tax policy, gave me the opportunity to help deliver tax relief to South Dakota families and businesses, including farms and ranches. These reforms, which are the most significant changes to tax law in a generation, are already benefiting South Dakotans. While there have been plenty of good stories to share lately – like bonuses, higher wages, and expanded benefits for workers – I believe there’s still more to come.

I’ve served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation since January 2015, and while not everything generates front page headlines, there’s significant work that takes place behind the scenes, and it’s having a big impact on the state’s economy and the folks who call South Dakota home.

The Commerce Committee has one of the largest jurisdictions of all the committees in the Senate, covering everything from planes, trains, and automobiles to federal communications policy to interstate commerce to technology and beyond. Since so many of these issues have a direct effect on South Dakota, I’ve invited numerous South Dakotans, including Gov. Dennis Daugaard, former Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill, and Lake Area Technical Institute President Michael Cartney, to testify at committee hearings over the years. Their perspective on these issues has proven to be invaluable.

I recently released a report, which can be found on my website, that highlights my work on the Commerce Committee and several big ticket items that have positively affected South Dakota, including my effort to expand cybersecurity research at Dakota State University, enhance Ellsworth Air Force Base’s strategic value, address unique needs for agricultural transportation, and promote internet-enabled health care solutions for South Dakotans who live in rural parts of the state.

Last year alone, 10 committee-approved proposals were enacted into law, including my Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act. The committee approved nearly 50 bills overall, of which 20 received the full Senate’s stamp of approval. We approved 20 of the president’s nominees, including two cabinet officials and the Federal Communications Commission chairman, and we held 63 hearings and eight legislative markups.

The committee has more opportunities to deliver for South Dakota and the rest of the American people in 2018, not the least of which is getting my Senate-passed MOBILE NOW bill, legislation that would help lay the groundwork so America – specifically South Dakota, I hope – can lead the way on 5G technology, to the president’s desk.

Our goals are big, but achievable, and I’m continually humbled by the opportunity to pursue them on behalf of South Dakotans.

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Increased Trade Opportunities Vital for South Dakota’s Farm Economy
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

In South Dakota, agriculture is our state’s top industry but over the past four years, net farm income has collapsed due to low commodity prices. Opening up new trade markets for our ag products is vital as we continue working to improve the economy in South Dakota and the United States.

Net farm income in our country is projected to decrease $4.3 billion from last year to $59.5 billion in 2018, the lowest net farm income level since 2006. This marks the fourth straight year of decline, and is mainly the result of weak prices for crop and livestock products. Opening up new markets for American exports will greatly contribute to the overall health of the farm economy, since foreign markets absorb around one-fifth of all U.S. agriculture production today.

I recently joined a group of senators in a letter to President Trump to let him know we agree with comments he made at a meeting of world leaders in Davos, Switzerland, indicating that he is open to re-engaging in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations. Increased economic engagement with the eleven countries currently in the TPP has the potential to substantially improve the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, including farms and ranches. It would also support millions of U.S. jobs, boost U.S. exports, increase wages and benefit consumers. Increasing access to a region and market that has a population of nearly 500 million—and is continuing to grow—is a smart move for our country. Additionally, U.S. participation in TPP could counter the influence of China in the Pacific Rim region.

Japan, a member of TPP, is the number one market for U.S. beef exports. In 2016, the U.S. exported 203,000 metric tons of beef to Japan, valued at $1.3 billion. Currently, U.S. fresh, chilled and frozen beef enters the Japanese market at a 38.5 percent tariff rate. In the summer of 2017, Japan slapped a 50 percent tariff on frozen U.S. beef shipments. This tariff will continue through March 2018. Under TPP, this rate would have declined to 27.5 percent in year one, and ultimately would have declined to 9 percent over a 16-year phase in period. Australia is a top competitor to U.S. beef in Asia. In January 2015, the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement took effect, which set Australia’s frozen beef tariff at 30.5 percent and fresh beef tariff at 32.5 percent, and will continue to be phased-down over the next 15-18 years.

According to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), TPP would provide significant benefits for U.S. agriculture and would increase U.S. ag exports by $7.2 billion by 2032. Gains in farm and food exports would stem primarily from greater market access for U.S. products due to lower tariffs and expanded tariff-rate quotas. Additionally, according to an analysis by the American Farm Bureau, under TPP, U.S. net farm income is projected to be $4.4 billion higher than without it. South Dakota exported nearly $1 billion in products to TPP countries in 2015, including $37 million in goods exported to Japan, $4 million in goods to Vietnam and $3 million in goods to Malaysia.

The president recently announced plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. While this may sound like good news for those industries, it is important to consider the negative impacts the policy change could have on goods produced in the United States that use these materials in production, such as farm machinery. Also, we must recognize potential repercussions from other countries, should they retaliate by restricting U.S. produced products being imported to their countries. If other countries do retaliate, it may impact our sales of corn, wheat, soybeans, livestock and other commodities to these countries. We will continue to monitor this development.

Free and fair trade has a proven record of keeping our economy healthy and vibrant. The president has been meeting with Congressional leaders to discuss trade and recently reiterated his commitment to free, fair and reciprocal trade, and remains open to potential future bilateral trade agreements, including in the Indo-Pacific region. I will continue working with the administration and my colleagues in the Senate to improve trade deals around the world.

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One Nation, Under God
By Rep. Kristi Noem

The U.S. Capitol is typically a busy place. But on a Wednesday morning in February, the halls went quiet as Reverend Billy Graham was laid in honor under the Capitol Dome. He is just the fourth private citizen in history to receive that rite, and I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent South Dakota at the ceremony.  Rev. Graham’s spiritual influence has helped shape the way I view the role of faith in government, so to be present as our country came together to honor his contributions is an opportunity I will long treasure.

Rev. Graham was known as America’s Pastor for good reason. He shared the hope we find in Christ with 13 presidents, millions of service members, and countless others across the globe. He brought people from every background together as One Nation, Under God.

President Reagan once said, “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” How true that statement is!

I believe that faith, family and freedom are essential to America’s long-term prosperity, and I have consistently worked to restore these principles in public life. We’re starting to make some meaningful progress.

Early in President Trump’s term, Justice Neil Gorsuch was confirmed, adding another conservative, pro-life member to the Supreme Court bench.

Later that year after a series of natural disasters, churches stepped up to provide housing for the homeless. They served as meeting points for families. And they offered a central location from which volunteers could organize. Many were damaged by the disasters too, but “Houses of Worship” were prohibited from receiving certain support from FEMA. As a result, there was little help when it came time to rebuild.  We worked with the Trump administration to lift those restrictions, helping ensure churches could continue their community-driven missions.

More recently, President Trump announced a plan to better protect medical workers who object to performing abortions and other services that go against their moral values. This is a policy I’ve long supported as the cosponsor of the Conscience Protection Act. Simply put, no person should ever have to go to work and be forced to deny their deepest religious convictions.

These positions, as well as my work to defund Planned Parenthood, recently earned me a 100 percent rating from the Family Research Council, a conservative religious liberty policy center. Even so, I recognize more must be done to secure religious liberty in our country.

Rev. Graham once said that “being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” The same is true for our nation. Even our Constitution acknowledges this fact in it’s opening line: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…”

May Rev. Graham’s legacy continue to inspire our journey toward a more perfect union. May the message of Christ’s love that he shared guide our leaders and unite us all as One Nation, Under God.

South Dakota’s Economic Development Wins
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

There are many things happening in our state that lead me to be hopeful about South Dakota’s future, especially in the realm of economic development. Overall, 2017 was a great year in terms of economic development wins. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development helped facilitate deals that total over $735 million in investment and are expected to create more than 1,400 new jobs.

Last July, we broke ground on the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility at the Sanford Underground Research Facility – the old Homestake mine. This Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment will fire a beam of neutrinos from Fermilab near Chicago to huge detectors at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead. The experiment hopes to unravel one of the great mysteries of the universe: the oscillation of neutrinos.  This experiment will require a $400 million construction investment in Lead that will have an economic impact of nearly $1 billion.

We also broke ground on a major new soybean processing facility in Aberdeen.  When complete, AGP’s soybean plant will be the largest investment in their history, with capacity enough to process 20% of South Dakota’s entire soybean crop.

In Sioux Falls, we supported Gage Brothers, a 100-year old South Dakota manufacturer, as it launched a new $40 million facility. We supported BalCon Enterprises’ plans to construct a new 22,500 square foot processing and warehouse facility in Elk Point, a project that will add 22 full-time jobs. In Beresford, we secured a commitment from Hendrix Genetics to build a $25 million commercial turkey hatchery, creating 79 new jobs.  The facility will hatch over half a million baby turkeys every week.

There were many other business expansions in 2017, including OtterTail Power in northeast South Dakota, Red’s All Natural Foods in North Sioux City, B9 Creations in Rapid City, Applied Engineering in Yankton, Performance Pet Products in Mitchell, Great Plains Processing in Yankton, Aero Trailers in Watertown and Harvard Integrations in Tea.

This year, 2018 began with a major announcement from AgroPur of a $250 million expansion in Lake Norden.  When complete, this expansion will increase the plant’s daily milk processing capacity from 3 million pounds to more than 9 million pounds, equal to the output of an additional 85,000 cows.

We are seeing success because South Dakota allows businesses to prosper. We have a low tax burden – no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no business inventory tax, no personal property tax or inheritance tax. We also have low costs and reasonable regulations.

It is also thanks to the hard work of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and our economic development partners throughout the state. They do the work of identifying prospects from around the country and selling our state and our communities.  More often, they work with local businesses, already in our state, to help them expand.  By keeping South Dakota a business-friendly state, I’m confident 2018 will be even better than last year.

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