Category: Uncategorized

Johnson Announces “Data Centers Done Right” Initiative

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced the “Data Centers Done Right” initiative.

“President Trump has called for an ‘era of American AI dominance.’ We cannot allow China or others to dominate artificial intelligence, and there is a role for South Dakota in that race,” said Johnson. “As Governor, I will ensure that data centers constructed in South Dakota make our state stronger. South Dakota can reduce property taxes and be a national leader in the AI revolution, but only if we have vision, drive, and a plan. With the ‘Data Centers Done Right’ initiative, we can make sure our state is home to data centers that make our electrical grid, water supply, quality of life, and economy stronger. Only projects that contribute more than they take will be eligible.”

Currently, South Dakota is not a competitive location for data centers because the state’s taxes on data centers are significantly higher than in other states. In fact, South Dakota is one of only two states in the region that charge taxes on electronic equipment. State law currently allows an optional rebate of those taxes, but the lack of certainty on that tax treatment has driven projects elsewhere.

Johnson’s “Data Centers Done Right” initiative will convert the current permissive tax rebate on electronic equipment to a standard rebate or exemption for eligible projects which meet certain requirements. Key requirements include:

• Power Use Protections—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that the project “will not impose an undue burden on existing electric users” in South Dakota.
• Water Use Protections—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that the project “will not impose an undue burden on water quality or existing water users” in South Dakota.
• Tax Benefits—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that even after the rebate is granted, the project “would pay substantial property taxes to county, school, and other local governments,” and “would pay substantial sales taxes to state government” over the course of the next five years.
• Job Benefits—Before projects can be deemed eligible, it must be determined that the project “will create jobs with an average total compensation greater than the average total compensation of hourly workers in that area.”

Once implemented, the “Data Centers Done Right” initiative could result in the construction of AI factories that collectively pay more than $200 million in property taxes to state and local governments over the next 10 years. Data centers are a critical component of AI dominance, and when sited correctly, they provide tremendous benefit to local communities. For example, an AI data center proposed for Deuel County would pay an estimated $5 million in property taxes annually. The current annual budget for Deuel County is $11 million, and the budget for the Deubrook School District is $3.4 million.

Over the next few months, Johnson will work with South Dakotans, including state legislators like Representative Kent Roe, to develop additional details and legislative language needed to make “Data Centers Done Right” a reality.

To learn more about “Data Centers Done Right,” please click here.

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Jackley Shatters SD Congressional Fundraising Record: Raised more than double his opponents combined

Pierre: Today, Attorney General Marty Jackley filed his first quarterly campaign finance report for Congress reporting $525,760 raised with $503,279 cash on hand, shattering the record- raising 155% more than any other candidate in South Dakota has raised for their first fundraising quarter in a campaign for the House of Representatives.

The other four candidates who have filed with the FEC to run for Congress in South Dakota raised less than $250,000 combined for the fundraising quarter. Over 95% of Jackley’s contributions came from individual South Dakotans.

Jackley continues to build strong momentum and is the clear favorite in the race for Congress. The record-breaking fundraising quarter proves Jackley has overwhelming support from all corners of South Dakota. Recent polling also shows Jackley with a 43 point lead over his opponent in the Republican Primary.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received across South Dakota,” said Jackley. “I am the proven conservative in this race that has and will always place America and South Dakota first. I will work with President Trump to strengthen our economy, secure our borders, rebuild our national defense, reduce the size of government, and cut taxes for hard-working Americans.”

“I will also work with President Trump, Leader Thune, and Senator Rounds to prevent future government shutdowns and get Washington working for the people again,” said Jackley.

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John Thune’s latest campaign filing is up, and once again the Senate Majority Leader proves that he is South Dakota’s undisputed fundraising champion.

Oct2025_ThuneSenate by Pat Powers

Senator Thune posted an incredible $723,993.10 raised over the last quarter, which includes $343k of just interest. Which tells you how strong his fundraising has been over the years, combined with opponents inability to challenge him on his own turf. Against this total, the Senator notes expenditures of $273,460.15, leaving him with a massive $16,685,079.77 cash on hand.

There’s a reason nobody wants to take him on in South Dakota politics – aside from the fact the Senator is respected and very well liked in South Dakota, a person would have to be independently wealthy to even try it.

Money in politics isn’t everything. But it doesn’t hurt.

Senator Mike Rounds today posted a BIG influx of cash to his campaign for the quarter, coming on the heels of the Trump endorsement he received earlier this year:

Oct2025_RoundsSenate by Pat Powers

South Dakota’s junior Senator had a very good fundraising quarter, posting $580,335.92 in receipts for the quarter, against $265,096.82 in expenses, leaving Rounds with $2,818,416.66 for the campaign.

Rounds is only facing minor opposition at this point, and that’s not likely to change with Justin Mcneal’s possible entry into a primary contest. But it should help with Rounds’ early fundraising in preparation for the fall.

2025_NikkiGforSD by Pat Powers

The first quarterly report after you announce tends to be important in showing the amount of support you have from friends and family as you launch your campaign.

In Democrat Nikki Gronli’s case as she runs for Congress, her first report isn’t exactly a bell-ringer of an endorsement showing that the Democrat Party’s elite in the state are getting behind her for a major push.  In Gronli’s case, she’s posting $23,171.00 raised, against $2633.75 spent, leaving her $20,537.25 to try to use to raise more money.

A person isn’t going to win a race for Congress with $20k. They might be challenged to win a county commission race in her home county of Minnehaha.

Moving on..

Attorney General Marty Jackley just filed his first FEC report of the congressional race and announced to everyone that he’s swinging a big hammer in this contest.

Oct2025_JackleyCongress by Pat Powers

The Jackley campaign just posted a massive quarter with $525,979.30 raised. The 164 page report includes many, many familiar names including Commissioner of School & Lands Brock Greenfield, State Auditor Rich Sattgast, and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Tenhaken.  And more current & former legislators than you can shake a stick at; Gary Cammack, Homer Harding, Les Heinemann, Dave Knudson, Jack Kolbeck, Shantel Krebs, Ben Krohmer, Matt Roby, Lee Schoenbeck, Deb Soholt, Jim Stalzer, Steve Westra, Joel Dykstra, Barb Everist, Rocky Blare, and even former Democrat lawmaker and AG hopeful Ron Volesky.

And yes, I’m missing people, but half of the entertainment is that you can go read through the report yourself.

That massive fundraising quarter only had $22,600.23 spent against it, leaving the campaign $503,379.07 to prosecute the campaign.

Stay tuned.  This is only getting started.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Former State Employee Indicted for Falsifying Investigative Reports

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Spearfish woman has been indicted on four felony counts and one misdemeanor count of falsifying investigative reports while an employee of the South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Child Protective Services.

Nova Collins, 56, was indicted Wednesday, Oct. 15, by a Lawrence County Grand Jury. She is accused of falsifying reports related to a child abuse investigation.

Collins was charged with one felony count of Forgery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one felony count of Offer of Forged or Fraudulent Evidence, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one felony count of Falsification of Evidence, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, one felony count of Offering False or Forged Instrument for Filing, Registering or Recording, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, and one misdemeanor count of Falsification of Public Records by a Public Officer or Employee, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison in the county jail.

“Falsifying official documents related to an investigation undermines public trust,” said Attorney General Jackley. “As Attorney General, I will continue to hold individuals accountable for such crimes. Thank you to the Department of Social Services for its cooperation.”

Attorney General Jackley said this is the first criminal case resulting from this year’s passage of Senate Bill 62 which established mandatory reporting requirements related to state employee crimes, improper government conduct, and conflicts of interest. The legislation was introduced by Attorney General Jackley, passed by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor. The case was reported to, investigated by, and is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office’s Public Integrity Program, which is part of the Division of Criminal Investigation.

The crimes were committed in early 2025. The defendant is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

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Look at the FEC Report Casey Crabtree just filed for his first quarter. Very respectable, and if he can keep it up, it could be a horse race.

Oct 2025 FEC Crabtree by Pat Powers

Crabtree came in raising a respectable $206,271.17 in contributions, which is good, because we’re moving into the fundraising doldrums of the holiday season in 30 days.

Lots of recognizable names on his fundraising list – Current & former Legislators such as Corey Brown, Sen. Sydney Davis, Rep. Roger DeGroot, Alex Jensen, Richard Thomason, Russ Olson, Rep. Drew & Kent Peterson Tim Rave, Sen. Tim Reed, Rep. Kent Roe, Sen Mike Rohl, Sen Steph Sauder, Erin Tobin, Tyler Tordsen, James Wangsness, And I know I’m missing a lot of people. Matt Paulson, Ted Hustead & Delon Mork were in for $3500 each.  Over 90 pages of donors.

Against this, he had $24,792.92 in expenditures, leaving him $181,128.25 cash on hand.

For a first-time statewide candidate, this was respectable, and it definitely looks to be game on in the Congressional race.

Looks like when the South Dakota Republican Party is ran by a former 32-year Democrat, all they know how to do is to fail, as Chairman Jim Eschenbaum continues his trend of raising nothing.

Oct 25 FEC SDGOP by Pat Powers

I can’t say the SDGOP has raised nothing, because they did bring in $25.93 of unsolicited donations.  To this they added a transfer of $4835.30 they raided from their state account.  There was an expense of $15, which provides them the unusual benchmark of spending less than they took in. The bottom line is that they’re left with $38,267.05 in their federal account.

The report also notes that between itemized and unitemized contributions over the course of the first nine months of the year, they are reporting a grand total of $1388.44 in individual donations.

Under $1500 in individual donations? Has anyone called for chairman (and former 32-year Democrat) Jim Eschenbaum to resign yet?  Because given the dismal state of failure he’s driven the Republican party to, he really should consider it at this point.

Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 15

“We need five more Democrats to say enough is enough. To put the American people ahead of the far left.”

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.