November 17 – 23, 2025

Welcome back to another Weekly Round[s] Up. We are now back on a regular, in-session schedule after finally getting out of the longest government shutdown in US history. It was a busy week filled with meetings, briefings, events, votes and interviews, but we got a lot done!

Additionally, I attended the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia this past weekend. I spent this time in meetings with our partners and allies from around the world. I also spoke on a panel titled “Democracies Design Doodads” discussing innovation in democratic countries, specifically regarding artificial intelligence.

More on the rest of my week in my Weekly Round[s] Up:

South Dakota groups I visited with: South Dakota representatives with John Deere; South Dakota Family Career and Community Leaders of America; South Dakota members of the Clean Fuels Alliance; Dr. Ashlea Semmens with the American Society of Breast Surgeons; Mike Salem with McDonald’s; Shirley Hauge and Emily Parish with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; South Dakota Telecommunications Association; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and SAGE Development Authority.

Met with South Dakotans from: Aberdeen, Belle Fourche, Bison, Blackhawk, Clear Lake, Colman, Deadwood, Harrisburg, Herreid, Kimball, Rapid City, Salem, Sioux Falls, Volga and Wall.

Other meetings: Mackenzie Eaglen, Defense Analyst at the American Enterprise Institute; James Bracken, John Diaz and Anne Chai with Zurich North America; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Secretary of Education Linda McMahon; Summer Mersinger, CEO of Blockchain Association; John Collison with Stripe; and the Hon. Stephan Mayer, MP, Member of Foreign Affairs Committee, German Bundestag; and Christian Forstner, Director of Hanns Seidel Foundation USA.

Briefings: I attended two Senate Select Committee on Intelligence closed briefings this past week.

Senate Prayer Breakfast: I attended our Senate Prayer Breakfast Wednesday morning, where Senator Roger Marshall from Kansas was the speaker.

H-2B Letter: This week Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and I sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor requesting that they release the maximum allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2026, consistent with the previous three years. Thirty-one other Senators signed the letter with us and now we wait for their response. These visas are crucial to South Dakota because our seasonal tourism and hospitality industries rely on H-2B workers to fill jobs that simply can’t be staffed locally during peak months.

Votes taken: 5 – This week I voted on nominee Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Yea). I also voted on the Lummis Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment CRA (Yea) and on the Schiff Oil and Gas CRA (Nay).

My staff in South Dakota visited: Milbank, Revillo, Sturgis, Webster and Wall.

Steps taken: 72,973 steps or 34.18 miles.

Photos of the Week

American Society of Breast Surgeons

The Salvation Army

South Dakota Telecommunication Association

Speech-Language-Hearing Association

What I am Thankful For
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
November 25, 2025 

It’s the time of year when long-distance family and friends come home and gather together again. Being together can help us remember all there is to be grateful for. I’ve taken some time to reflect on some of the things that I am thankful for this season.

I’m thankful for my wife and my sons, and for the opportunity to spend a little extra time with them throughout the holiday season. Max will be home from college and with Ben and Owen on Thanksgiving break, it will be a joy to have everyone around the table again. As my boys grow up and start to move out, I cherish these moments together even more.

I’m grateful to those who serve our country and our communities in South Dakota. From deployed service members to firefighters, police officers, and first responders, I’m heartened by their sacrifice to serve and protect. Many of these service members miss out on celebrating with their family on Thanksgiving Day because they are working to keep us safe. Take a moment to remember and be grateful for their sacrifice.

Our farmers and ranchers work day in and day out to feed the world. I’m grateful for their dedication to get up and put in long hours of physical work, no matter the weather or the holiday. Their resilience is the backbone of our nation. When you’re sitting down at a table filled with food, remember to thank a farmer.

The grit and determination of South Dakotans is unique. I’m grateful to those who work hard to improve their communities, serve their neighbors, and make South Dakota a place we are all proud to call home.

As we officially enter the holiday season, I hope we can all take some time to reflect on what really matters. I wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving!

KOTA News has a story today on Governor Larry Rhoden’s campaign event in Sturgis last night, where he listed off his list of accomplishments as Governor:

With almost a year under his belt as governor, Rhoden mentioned three accomplishments he’ll hang his hat on in a bid for re-election: banning eminent domain for carbon pipelines, slowing property tax increases and working to develop a new prison construction plan.

and..

Rhoden said transparency will be key in his first campaign atop the gubernatorial ticket.

Read the entire story here.

So, where is the field of candidates on these claims?

Not sure ethanol producers (or GEVO) would agree with banning carbon pipelines on the list, but the signing of House Bill 1052 is the first bill on Governor Rhoden’s list of accomplishments which he intends to campaign on in the 2026 primary election.  But there are others who will be looking to cast a line in the same waters.

Specifically on the carbon pipeline issue, obviously, Jon Hansen can’t campaign enough on it. Toby Doeden is also attempting to use that issue.  Congressman Dusty Johnson’s platform notes that he believes South Dakota needs to protect private property rights.

In reference to the property tax portion, much of that would appear to be “yet to come” in the next legislative session, as there has not been much that has materialized in property tax reduction in the last session. Governor Rhoden’s primary proposal has consisted of a county sales tax option for property tax relief, placing the onus on counties to choose whether to raise the taxes themselves.

A recent proposal of Rhoden’s opponent Jon Hansen consisted of telling the governor to cut spending by 5%.  Which really is kind of meaningless, since fiscal years lag, and since he wants to have the job next he could choose to do that himself.  Toby Doeden has been trying to address the issue, but with goofy, undefined claims about external revenue that he really can’t or won’t provide specifics on.  Congressman and gubernatorial hopeful Dusty Johnson indicates (again, in his platform) that his goal is to cut property taxes for homeowners, farmers, and ranchers, without defunding police,  roads, or schools.

The prison is the most clearly defined accomplishment for the Governor, especially with Jon Hansen doing his best to sink the prison at the last minute. Toby Doeden again came with complaints that it was a luxury hotel and no solutions. But did get his legislative minions to cast a no vote. So he can’t say much about it either. During the debate Congressman Johnson deferred getting into the prison fray.

As the campaign moves forward, we’re sure to hear more specifics about candidate platforms.

And maybe by June 2026, Toby Doeden will be able to actually explain his external revenue nonsense.

An independent candidate for Congress has filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to begin his efforts:

Jack Pittman of Pine Ridge has filed to enter the race as an independent, without designating a committee, other than “Pittman for House.”  Not much other information out there at the moment, but we’ll keep an eye on things in case an actual campaign moves forward.

Just had a friend send this over to me for the $25 Dusty Johnson fundraiser this evening in Rapid City:

There are past, present (and future) legislators on the list of hosts, as well as a number of other Rapid City dignitaries, including Sheriff Brian Mueller. Maybe even a podcast host of questionable repute (just kidding Murdoc).

Tonight at 5pm at the Firehouse Skybox in Rapid City, or there’s a QR code you can use.

Johnson Announces “Real Food, Real Freedom”

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Today, gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Dusty Johnson announced “Real Food, Real Freedom,” an innovative plan designed to ensure nutritious food is available to all South Dakotans. The initiative focuses on personal responsibility, local agriculture, and smart state policy to strengthen families and communities.

“We should be making it easier for South Dakota families to make healthy choices,” said Johnson. “As Governor, I’ll work to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to purchase healthier, whole foods, rather than processed sugar. We can also do more to make sure South Dakota’s producers, both large and small, can more easily enter the market to sell their products, and make sure South Dakota’s schools are incentivized to buy meat locally. It’s time to let South Dakota feed South Dakota.”

“Real Food, Real Freedom” consists of three pillars:

• Removal of pop and candy from SNAP-eligible purchases: Under the plan, pop and candy would be eliminated from the list of items that can be purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in South Dakota. South Dakota would request a federal waiver to redirect benefits toward milk, protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and other wholesome foods. Johnson supports legislative efforts, including a plan soon-to-be announced by Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt (R-Sioux Falls) and Sen. Sydney Davis (R-Burbank) to establish the framework for pursuing the waiver.

• Eases the government burden on selling farm-fresh food: The plan would cut red tape on local producers, from small-scale vegetable growers to ranchers selling meat directly to families. Johnson pledges to enable expanded local-producer sales to grocery stores, simplify licensing and labeling rules for small processors and direct-to-consumer sales, and modernize inspection laws to make it easier to sell vegetables and locally processed meat while maintaining food safety.

• Expand access to local meat in South Dakota schools: “Real Food, Real Freedom” will encourage and incentivize schools to serve local beef, pork, chicken, and other locally grown meat in school lunches, building off Johnson’s congressional work in this space. The initiative will bring education, agriculture, meat processing, and nutrition leaders together to ensure flexibility for local school districts and connect producers directly to food-service buyers.

“By letting common sense and safety guide our decisions, rather than burdensome bureaucracy, we’ll give South Dakota producers and families the chance to thrive,” Johnson continued. “South Dakotans shouldn’t need a stack of government forms to sell a quarter beef, and they shouldn’t be subsidizing junk food. ‘Real Food, Real Freedom’ gets all of us on the right path.”

To learn more about “Real Food, Real Freedom,” please click here.

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Well of course you could pick who is advocating for this in three guesses or less:

Seriously, facebook. I don’t ask for the crazy to be pushed into my feed. So why do you pump all the off-the-wall stuff into my algorithm?  But yes, District 3 State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer wants people to be able to take medicine for horses and sheep over the counter… just because.

Another item to research that might be useful in light of Brandei’s proposal?

There are currently no established standards for treating ivermectin poisoning, and there is no specific antidote for overdose. While many drugs have been utilized to address ivermectin toxicity, further research is needed in this area.

Read that here.

I’m guessing that research might just be accomplished sooner than we think.

Update…

This next session is going to be interesting, to say the least.

Gov. Rhoden Announces Approval of Disaster Relief Plan for North Sioux City

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved South Dakota’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) Action Plan for North Sioux City, marking an important step forward in the community’s long-term recovery efforts.

“When South Dakota works together, we build communities that stay strong, safe, and free. This approval is a major victory for North Sioux City, and it brings the city one step closer to the resources it needs to rebuild stronger than before,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I am grateful for GOED, my team in the Governor’s Office, and Senator Thune for getting us to this important milestone and making sure it remained a priority in Washington.”

Governor Rhoden discussed this issue with Senator Thune and his team in October, and the Senator’s assistance was an important part of getting the action plan approved in a timely manner.

With the Action Plan approved, GOED will work with federal and local partners to complete the remaining steps so funding can be awarded. This approval provides positive momentum, keeping North Sioux City on track for meaningful recovery and future resilience.

“Securing HUD’s approval is a major step forward, and we are deeply grateful to Governor Rhoden, Senator Thune, and both their teams for championing this effort and keeping this process moving,” said GOED Commissioner Bill Even. “I’m incredibly proud of the GOED team and grateful for their hard work serving our communities. We’ll continue working closely with our federal partners and local leaders as the next phases advance for North Sioux City.”

For more information on CDBG-DR efforts, visit sdgoed.com.

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If you have read the story about the last Board of Elections meeting, a proposal was offered to allow for a filing fee in lieu of petitions signatures in running for office.

Of course.. people weren’t thrilled by it, and it became a news story:

“I’ll be honest, I’m a hard ‘no’ on this one,” said board member Austin Hoffman, who’s also a Republican candidate for state attorney general.

The proposal came from the office of Republican Secretary of State Monae Johnson. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Deadrick walked the board through a slate of 17 “concepts” for legislation that could be introduced during the annual legislative session that starts in January.

Deadrick said some other states, including Kansas, already allow people to pay to get on a ballot. A spokesperson with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office confirmed to South Dakota Searchlight that while independents in that state collect petition signatures to earn a ballot spot, members of a political party can pay a filing fee to get on the ballot.

The South Dakota proposal would give all candidates two options for qualifying: collecting the required number of petition signatures from registered voters, as they do now, or paying a fee to have their name printed on the ballot. Under the draft, any fees collected would go into the state’s general fund. Deadrick did not specify how much candidates would be required to pay.

Read the entire story here.

Despite some people being opposed to the concept being offered in SD recently, it’s actually more common than you might think, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures:

Filing fees were originally intended to deter candidates perceived as frivolous, and to help pay for the administration of elections. These fees could be exceptionally large. Some from the 1960s and 1970s were close to $40,000 once adjusted for inflation. Bullock v. Carter and Lubin v. Panish, two landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the early 1970s, held that filing fees were only constitutional when most candidates could afford them, and they should not be the only means available for filing as a candidate.

And..

In 33 states, major party candidates are either allowed or required to pay a filing fee. The remaining 17 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands do not require major party candidates to pay a filing fee. States that do not require a filing fee generally require interested candidates to qualify through a petition process instead. State filing fees vary dramatically. Filing for a state house candidate in New Hampshire costs $2, while a Republican candidate for state senate in Alabama paid $1,079.12 to appear on the ballot in 2022, and a Democratic candidate paid $1,034.68 (in Alabama, the parties control the amount of the filing fee).

Twenty-six states impose fees on independent or unaffiliated candidates for state legislative seats. Of these, nine give the independent or unaffiliated candidate the option to file as indigent, removing the fee and using a signature requirement instead. For the 17 states that require a fee from individual candidates, the fee ranges from $15 in Montana to $250 in Hawaii and Mississippi.

Read the entire article (and see a chart) here.

33 states.. That’s 2/3, and it actually puts us in the minority of states for rejecting that as an option and going with petition signatures only.

In South Dakota, 50 signatures for state legislative candidates is not a heavy lift. But then again for most legislative candidate a fee of $250 would not be a heavy lift either.

So, why not offer either option?

Just had someone close to me send me this clip from the Governor’s recent town hall in Sioux Falls (which you can watch on Facebook, courtesy of KOTA territory news.)

“I’ve said to many people that .. many times that the people of South Dakota are special. I’m not talking about Special Olympics, or something like that. But we truly are a different breed.” – Governor Larry Rhoden, Sioux Falls Town Hall

Ugh. Governor Rhoden, there’s nothing wrong with the people who participate in Special Olympics; and the fact that they take part in that organization’s activities shouldn’t earn them being the target of your humor as you campaign to remain in the state’s highest office.

I mean, I would have expected this coming from others –  but not coming from the Governor who is in charge of entire state offices serving South Dakotans with disabilities at the first town hall after he announces for office.

I have a daughter with autism and developmental disabilities who takes part in Special Olympics, and it is literally one of the only group activities she can participate in without stares or judgement or somehow being set aside.  So, yes, this is not just unnecessary, but kind of offensive.

Governor, as you hit the campaign trail please reconsider rewriting your talking points to remove this. Special Olympics participants and their family members deserve a little better.

Update:

Governor Rhoden did apologize for the comment. Thank you Governor.

I’m not always the most polished, but I’m willing to admit my mistakes, and this was a stupid thing to say. Sandy and I support the Special Olympics, and we admire those athletes so much that it’s part of her First Lady’s initiative. I’m sorry if I came across otherwise. https://t.co/wt2KUkXWYq

— Larry Rhoden (@LarryRhodenSD) November 23, 2025