Congressional Candidate Dusty Johnson has started posting vignettes, or video clips, out to facebook noting his position on several hot button issues.
The series is starting with Johnson noting his position on the Second Amendment and Social Security, as he makes his case to Republican primary voters:
Republican Roy Moore lost to Democrat Doug Jones last night.
While he had won the Republican primary, you still had to wonder about someone removed from elective office with the Alabama Supreme Court. Twice.
That’s an impression I was never able to get past, and why I think Senator Thune made the right call in noting someone else would be better.
And now we’re here, having lost what had started out as an extremely safe seat.
Your thoughts?
Thune: Tax Reform Bill Nearing Finish Line
“After years of economic stagnation, the bill we’re drafting will usher in a new era of economic dynamism in this country.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, today discussed the status of tax reform. The Senate passed its bill on December 2, which is currently being reconciled with the House version in the House-Senate conference committee, of which Thune is a member. Thune highlighted the fundamental principles of the bill, including doubling the standard deduction, doubling the child tax credit, and lowering rates.
To learn more about Thune’s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.
Noem Introduces Bill Aimed at Decreasing Health Insurance Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today introduced the Protecting Families and Small Businesses Act, which would delay Obamacare’s costly Health Insurance Tax (HIT) by two years. If enacted, the provision could save families as much as $400 per year in healthcare premium costs, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
“Many small businesses and families in South Dakota have faced a stunning reality since the passage of Obamacare: They can’t afford to pay for the expensive mandated insurance, but they also can’t afford the HIT if they don’t provide insurance. Essentially, they’re taxed if they do and taxed if they don’t,” said Noem. “As a result, many employers have been forced to either cut workers’ hours or limit the small business’ growth. The best way to lift this burden is to fully and permanently repeal Obamacare, but until that time, I will fight to reduce the financial strain on hardworking South Dakotans. This legislation does just that.”
The HIT is a direct tax on health insurance providers for the services they provide to individuals, families, and other beneficiaries. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this tax is passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation found the HIT will cost between 152,000 and 286,000 jobs by 2023, with 57 percent of those lost jobs represented in small businesses.
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SD District 8 Conservatives Monthly Luncheon
The next monthly District 8 Conservatives Luncheon will be held Thursday, December 14th, 2017, 11:45AM, at the Second Street Diner, 610 Washington Ave. S., in Madison. Benjamin Ready from Sen. John Thune’s office, Katie Murray from Sen. Mike Rounds’ office, and Jake Monssen from Rep. Kristi Noem’s office will all be here to discuss the very important pending Tax Reform legislation. What an opportunity to learn more about this landmark reform and to meet all three local staff for our U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives!
Also to note: The upcoming implementation of the Electronic Logging Devices for truckers (originally planned to go into effect December 18th) has been delayed 90 days and our local expert District 8 State Sen. Jordan Youngberg will be available if you have questions on this subject.
South Dakota Legislative District 8 consists of Sanborn, Miner, Lake, and Moody Counties in the East Central part of the state.
Conservatives from District 8 are invited, as well as from the surrounding area. Order off menu, daily special available. For information call 605-270-2991.
Back last week in Aberdeen the Americans First, Task Force of Aberdeen SD group held an event where they brought a speaker in to give a talk on Immigration Reform.
Of course, given that they had an event, Aberdeen’s self-appointed Social Justice Warrior and rumored 2018 Candidate for State Senate decided he needed to show up, and harass the event speaker.
Heidelberger claimed that he “got bored and left early,” but I’m being told a bit of a variation on that story.
What is being related to me that “He was arguing with the speaker, hosts, and attendants. The hosts asked someone to call the police. They did, Cory sat for a couple more minutes and bugged out before the cops got there.” It was also noted to me that they would have been there sooner, but they may have gone to an incorrect location first.
Why such animosity? Keep in mind that Cory and this group have a bit of a history.
This is the same group whose event Heidelberger attended in August of 2016 and caused a ruckus, leading him to be driven out after arguing with the crowd (starting somewhere between 1:55:00 and 2:00:00, Video Courtesy SoDakLiberty.org)
I just don’t get it. There are lots of people who attend events of people they may not agree with, but I don’t believe I’ve ever felt the need to directly antagonize the hosts of the event to the point where they feel they have to call police or throw me out.
Maybe people attending the group are right? Maybe they’re wrong? But considering Heidelberger is already telling dem party insiders that he’s going to be a candidate, Showing up at an event to harass and harangue the speakers and attendees is certainly behavior that remains unbecoming of a person who is going to be telling us he wants to represent all of the people who live in his legislative district in a few months.
Elections are won by addition, not subtraction. Given he was beaten by 22% last election, that’s probably a lesson Cory should take to heart.
From my mailbox, Republican Congressional Candidate Dusty Johnson sent out an e-mail blast yesterday noting that he’s having fun in the campaign, and preparing to push even harder after Christmas:
The National Association of Realtors has a giant ad atop the Rapid City Journal this morning asking Senator John Thune to keep mortgage interest and other homeownership related tax deductions as part of any tax reform package:
Can’t really disagree with them, as home construction is an economic engine for our country, which we really don’t want to throw a monkey wrench into. When we pass laws making it easier for people to afford homes, it benefits all of society.
This clip is making the rounds on the Internet, where CBS this morning interviews South Dakota’s US Senator John Thune about Roy Moore. And CBS’ Gayle King is a bit “overly complimentary…”
“The two other panelists, co-host Norah O’Donnell and another female correspondent, laughed heartily, and a somewhat embarrassed Thune seemed to take it in stride by thanking King for the compliment.
Some might wonder about the reaction to the King-Thune interview on social media in the context of objectification if the genders were reversed, however. Parenthetically, late last month, CBS This Morning fired co-host Charlie Rose over sexual harassment allegations.
Speaker of the House Mark Mickelson is on the radio today noting that future state aid to counties may be tied to how much they’re looking forward to help themselves:
Future state aid to counties may be tied to what those counties are doing for themselves.
South Dakota House Speaker Mark Mickelson of Sioux Falls says he would like to see counties come up with economic development plans.
In the audio portion, Mickelson notes that State Government grant programs are going to start considering as a criteria – with mostly transportation grants – whether or not a formal economic development plan is in place.
I’m not familiar with any specific counties that don’t, but that seems to be a pretty strong statement to counties that with harder economic times, State Government will be more apt to help counties who are willing to help themselves.
What are your thoughts?