Weekly Column: Halftime at the Capitol
by Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree

MADISON–It’s halftime in Pierre for the Legislative Session and the Capitol is busy as we work ahead of Crossover Day. One of the best parts of the process in the Legislature is that every single bill gets a hearing–the good, the bad and the ugly. This allows for every lawmaker and every idea to have a fair hearing. With 220 bills introduced in the Senate this year, we have until the deadline of Crossover Day to hear every bill and either pass it along to the House of Representatives or kill the bill. So far, at halftime, the Senate has sent 94 bills to the House, killed 60 bills, and 18 have been signed into law by the Governor.

I entered Week 5 of session with a heavy heart as our communities were mourning the loss of Moody County Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok. Ken was a great family man and led a life of service to others. I had the joy of becoming friends with Ken as a fellow youth baseball coach. He had a contagious competitive spirit, a drive to teach the kids about life and my oldest son, Casyn, and I will hold on to many fond memories shared on the field. My deepest condolences to Ken’s wife, Renee, and kids, JD, Brooke and Taylor. Our whole region is mourning along with you.

It was Madison Day at the Capitol on Tuesday. Thanks to everyone for coming to share the great things happening in Pierre with the rest of the Legislature. I welcomed the high school classes from Lake Preston and Sioux Valley as they joined us to see the legislative process in action. It was also a good week for cybersecurity with the approval of SB 187 in Senate State Affairs which creates a local government cybersecurity services initiative so that our cities can be protected. I’ll continue to work with the various stakeholders on this so that we can keep the public, utilities and election information safe and secure.

One of my initiatives this year was SB 78 which helps incentivize gas stations to offer E15 and bolster our ag industry. The House and Senate have approved the bill, and it is now with Gov. Noem. Ethanol plants buy 64% of the corn grown in the state, supporting 11,00 family farms and 30,000 jobs. I want to see more homegrown fuel sold and used in South Dakota. It’s good for farmers and consumers.

Next week, the Legislature will receive updated revenue projections so that we can finalize a balanced budget for the next fiscal year. There are several priorities, but at the top of the list for me is another tuition freeze for our students at state universities and technical colleges. An affordable education is the best opportunity for our kids and grandkids to pursue their dreams in South Dakota and strengthen our economy.

The House took up several of the pipeline-related bills this week and the rest are scheduled for committee on Monday. Two of the bills that I prime-sponsored passed the House on Thursday–HB 1185 and HB 1186. These two bills help make South Dakota the state with the strongest landowner protection rights in law. Next week, Senate State Affairs will hold a hearing on SB 201, prime sponsored by Rep. Will Mortenson and myself. With these three bills, we have worked on proposals that protect the future of South Dakota agriculture; one that promotes respect, fairness, and certainty for everyone involved.

As we head into the homestretch before Crossover Day, stay in touch with your thoughts on the Senate bills pending action and the House bills making their way over to the Senate.

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PRESS RELEASE

On 02.05.2024, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shad Olson, 51, of Blackhawk SD, for Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence.  The arrest was a result of a report on 02.04.2024.  As this case remains under investigation, no other information will be released specific to this matter.

The Meade County Sheriff’s Office is committed to doing everything we can to address issues of domestic violence.  The protection of victims and holding those responsible, accountable for their actions will always be a priority for this office.

An arrest is an allegation only, and there remains a presumption of innocence until adjudication in a court of law.

Aggravated Assault is a Class 3 Felony.

Former West river news anchor Shad Olson’s arrest for felony domestic assault just had a significant information dump in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader in their story how this former Neal Tapio advisor was allegedly drunk as he slammed his partner on the ground according to the probable affidavit for his arrest:

The victim asked Olson “if he was drinking already and he became mad.” She then told Olson, who she described as unemployed and lacking a source of income, that she “works hard to support their family,” to which he simply retorted she was a “crazy [expletive],” documents state.

and..

From there, the victim said Olson chased after her as she ran away from her home. They had been living together from some time, but she told the officer “she pays for everything in the home while Olson worries about the country,” the documents read.

The officer asked the victim if Olson had assaulted her before, with her replying “yes.”

The victim said Olson, who runs his own far-right, eponymic podcast, is “stressed over politics,” which influences his drinking. She then told the officer Olson blames his political frustrations on her.

Go read this story now.

This story is just horrible. I mean, it is the worst.

The victim of this weeks’ alleged domestic assault, and it was supposedly not the only time she’s been a victim, was being assisted by Working Against Violence, Inc. out of Rapid City.

If you’re so inclined, you can make a donation to them by clicking here.

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BONUS: A Shad Olson Facebook post which hasn’t aged well over the last week or so. 

Shad probably should have spent more time addressing the abuse and maltreatment of women a lot closer to home.

Dakota Scout has a story tonight on the Shad Olson arrest and incarceration, which includes some disturbing allegations of abuse by Olson, including strangulation:

According to court documents, the incident leading to Olson’s arrest entailed strangulation of a female victim and an attempt to evade arrest before he was taken into custody and placed in the Meade County Jail.

Go read the entire story here.

That’s really disturbing. If true, I hope this victim gets the help and the justice she needs.

If you are a victim of abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Had a report that a not unknown name in South Dakota politics has a temporary residence for the moment.

The Meade County Sheriff’s Office is noting on their website tonight that Shad Alexander Olson is a guest at the moment as an inmate at the Meade County Jail, as a result of his arrest for Aggravated Assault Domestic:

If I’m not mistaken, this is the same Shad Alexander Olson who managed Gordon Howie’s gubernatorial campaign a few years back, was a campaign staffer for Neal Tapio‘s ill-fated Congressional race, and has been a conservative commentator since he got booted from TV in Rapid City, hosting his own Shad Olson show.

I’m sure we’re going to hear more about this in short order, as court documents come out. If someone has a mugshot, feel free to e-mail me a copy. I also hope whomever was involved as the victim of domestic abuse/assault is ok.

And remember kids, defendants – even in cases of Domestic Abuse/Ag Assault involving serious bodily injury – are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. 

Update:

I see Twitter is starting to get on it…

From the Argus Leader comes an article on the proposed statewide public defender’s office for those who can’t afford a lawyer, but House members stress they want to see term limits:

The House of Representatives voted 60-4 on Thursday to create the office and the accompanying commission.

Added into the bill was a stipulation for term limits. Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, requested that the nine members of the Commission on Indigent Legal Services not serve more than 12 years on the commission.

“I think it is responsible to have a term limit on appointed and elected positions,” Karr said. “If you believe that an elected politician should have a term limit, then in most cases you would want a term limit on individuals that that person has appointed and may have influence upon going forward.”

Read it here.

Sorry, but why are they insisting on demanding term limits here “on appointed and elected positions”.. when a bill was killed earlier this session in the House to put term limits on Public Utility Commission members?

Just asking.

(And no I don’t buy the line on it being a “specialty office” of a higher degree than I would someone serving on the Commission on Indigent Legal Services. )

State Senator Tom Pischke on Senate Bill 215, his nutty bill demanding the National Guard and Sheriffs combat attempts at weather control :

“This is not new to the state. It’s not some tinfoil hat idea. I just wanted to put that out there first. ” – Senator Tom Pischke. 

I’m sure it’s not. I’m sure it’s not..

So, if Tom gets sent back to Pierre, will he also go after dowsing rods as witchery?

I had missed this quote regarding the Rick Weiland and the abortion legalization measure his Dakotans for Health group is promoting… from someone who used to be related to him:

Chapman, of the ACLU, said the ballot measure was initiated by “women who are not of reproductive age” and said “Dakotans for Health is ultimately run by three white men. None of these people are directly affected by this.”

and..

The three men Chapman referred to are Weiland, his son Adam, and attorney Jim Leach.

Chapman was formerly married to one of Weiland’s other children. She said that has not influenced her views, and the ACLU had analyzed and formed its stance on the potential ballot measure before she was hired in December 2022.

Read the entire story here.

Damn.

JAKE SCHOENBECK ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR SOUTH DAKOTA STATE HOUSE

South Dakota – Today, Jake Schoenbeck is excited to announce his candidacy for the State House of Representatives, serving District 2 and the people of Brandon, East Sioux Falls, and Valley Springs. As a solutions-based conservative focused on achieving results, Jake is committed to ensuring South Dakota remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

From a young age, Jake was raised to appreciate that South Dakota’s success and the preservation of our freedoms requires strong leaders in Pierre and in our communities. Witnessing that commitment to service in his father, Senator Lee Schoenebeck, Jake and his siblings were instilled with a profound sense of duty and a commitment to give back.

“For our state to continue to be a place that cherishes American values while creating new opportunities for our young people, we need strong leadership in Pierre,” said Schoenbeck. “I want to serve in the legislature to get things done and make a difference for the people of District 2.”

This starts with the education of our children and in the infrastructure that enables us to create community growth. If elected, I plan to do everything I can to provide a bright future for our state.”

As a conservative Republican, Jake’s campaign will focus on improving our state’s infrastructure, enhancing educational opportunities, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally conservative manner. Jake understands how to build consensus and believes that by working together, we can overcome the challenges of today and build a brighter future for generations to come.

The Primary Election will be held on June 4th. For more information on Jake Schoenbeck’s campaign for the South Dakota State House in District 2, please visit SchoenbeckforSD.com.

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Rep. Stevens Seeks Reelection

YANKTON—Republican Rep. Mike Stevens will seek re-election to the State House of Representatives in the 2024 election. His petitions were approved by the Secretary of State in January.

“Representing the Yankton region has been an honor,” said Stevens. “I’ve enjoyed representing our region, especially when it comes to providing resources for our students and veterans.”

A graduate of the University of South Dakota Law School, Stevens has practiced law in Yankton since 1978. He was first elected to the State House in 2012 where he served six years. In 2020, Stevens returned to the legislature where he now serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore, Chair of the Education Committee and Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee. Respected by his colleagues for his legal knowledge and principled leadership, Stevens has amassed a track record of success for South Dakota.

Mike lives in Yankton with his wife, Linda, a retired public-school teacher of 42 years in Vermillion and 32 years at Beadle Elementary School in Yankton. Mike’s involvement in the Yankton community is extensive including 22 years on the Yankton School Board. He has also volunteered his time to the Yankton Senior Citizens Board, Yankton Thrive, Yankton Area Foundation Board, Yankton Community Arts Association, and the Yankton Historical Society. As a legislator, he has been involved in numerous issue-based study groups including domestic violence, opioid addiction, juvenile justice, and teacher compensation.

“South Dakota is moving in the right direction, and that’s thanks to dedicated public servants willing to have serious conversations on important policy issues,” said Stevens. “I’m asking the voters to once again elect me to advocate for them in Pierre and keep making a difference for Yankton and South Dakota.”

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. District 18 represents Yankton County and the Irene area of Clay County.