Hubbel IS looking at bringing the insanity to the 2018 Gubernatorial race

Pat Powers

I had hoped it wasn’t true, but Lora Hubbel IS looking at bringing her brand of insanity to the 2018 GOP Gubernatorial Race, as I’d feared:

Another Republican has emerged as a candidate for Governor in 2018.

Lora Hubbel, a Sioux Falls nurse, has set up an exploratory committee for her campaign to find out what South Dakota wants.

and..

Hubbel says she will be running on a platform of corruption killing. She says “if South Dakota want’s a change, I am your best bet.”

Read it all here at KCCR News.

Why do I say I had feared it?  You know how tough it is to convince people to vote Republican when you have someone as flat out nutty as Lora on the ballot?

She’s an anti-vaxxer, she has stated that government wants people to sleep babies on their back because it makes them more susceptible to mind control, that jet contrails are evidence of a plot to spray us with nefarious chemicals, that electronic highway signs may be “scanning our irises” for inclusion in a government database, Muslims are plotting pre-jihad at the Sioux Falls Airport, and the list goes on and on…

As I’ve said before, and I’ll say again – SERIOUSLY, WHO BELIEVES THIS STUFF?!?

There was a possibility that she wasn’t going to run as a Republican, as she’s ran as an independent in the past, and up until last month was chairman of the Constitution Party.  But it looks like she’s a Republican again… possibly “In Name Only,” since in the past she’s been happy to shed that label as quickly as a snake sheds it’s skin, as she continues her self-promotion.

And the 2018 election rolls on….

Update – In a radio interview you can listen to here, Hubbel blames state corruption on non-profits, and wants more government oversight of them. So, yes, she’s actually running on a platform of more Government

Thune Introduces Legislation to Improve Cybersecurity Resources for Small Businesses

Pat Powers

Thune Introduces Legislation to Improve Cybersecurity Resources for Small Businesses

“This legislation offers important resources, specifically meeting the unique needs of small businesses, to help them guard sensitive data and systems from thieves and hackers.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today joined Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), James Risch (R-Idaho), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in introducing the Making Available Information Now to Strengthen Trust and Resilience and Enhance Enterprise Technology (MAIN STREET) Cybersecurity Act. The bill would provide a consistent set of resources for small businesses to best protect their digital assets from cybersecurity threats.

Small businesses are a pillar of the American economy and make up more than half of all jobs in the United States. But these businesses have also become a major target for cyberattacks. These attacks can be so harmful to revenues that the National Cybersecurity Alliance has found 60 percent of these small businesses are forced to close following an attack.

“Cyberattacks can have catastrophic effects on small businesses and their customers,” said Thune. “This legislation offers important resources, specifically meeting the unique needs of small businesses, to help them guard sensitive data and systems from thieves and hackers.”

In 2014, the Senate unanimously passed Thune’s Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, which codified the industry-led process for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, a comprehensive voluntary guide for organizations and businesses to better manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. While this framework continues to play a key role in improving the cyber resilience of the United States, additional coordinated resources may be necessary to improve the ability of small businesses to use it. The MAIN STREET Cybersecurity Act, which is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will ensure NIST considers the needs of small businesses as it updates the framework and provide simplified, consistent resources based on the NIST framework specifically for small businesses.

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Lake Area Technical Institute President Michael Cartney Testifies in Thune-Led Hearing

Pat Powers

Lake Area Technical Institute President Michael Cartney Testifies in Thune-Led Hearing

“It is no surprise to me that a South Dakota technical institute, the Lake Area Technical Institute, is leading the pack in training students to fill these skilled jobs.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced Lake Area Technical Institute President Michael Cartney at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing entitled, “Closing the Skills Gap and Boosting U.S. Competitiveness.” Cartney, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, testified in front of the committee on the skills and career opportunities that can be gained at technical schools like Lake Area Technical Institute, which just received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

 During the hearing, Thune questioned Cartney on the impact that new technology has on the skills gap and how Lake Area Technical Institute is working to prepare students for entering the workplace. Prior to questioning Cartney, Thune questioned “Cheers” actor and mechanical skills advocate, John Ratzenburger, on why it’s important to expose young people to hands-on learning.  

 “It is no surprise to me that a South Dakota technical institute, the Lake Area Technical Institute, is leading the pack in training students to fill these skilled jobs,” said Thune. “Lake Area Tech is the winner of the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence – the nation’s foremost recognition for high achievement and improvement in America’s community colleges. An overwhelming 99 percent of Lake Area Tech’s graduates are employed after graduation. Once they enter the workforce, these graduates earn an average of 27 percent more than other new hires in the region. It is wonderful to see the work that Lake Area Tech and other community colleges and career and technical education programs are doing to train students for jobs that are available and lucrative.”

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Rounds Announces Promotion of Tyler Tordsen to Southeast Regional Director

Pat Powers

Rounds Announces Promotion of Tyler Tordsen to Southeast Regional Director  

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the promotion of Tyler Tordsen to Southeast Regional Director. Tordsen has spent the last two years working in Rounds’ Pierre office as a special assistant, focusing on outreach, tribal relations, constituent services and local governments.

“Tyler has been a tremendous asset to our team since the day he started,” said Rounds. “A lifelong South Dakotan, his strategic vision and passion for helping others have played a vital role in our constituent outreach and legislative efforts. I have no doubt he will continue to build on these strengths as Southeast Regional Director.”

Tordsen was born in Sioux Falls, raised in Rapid City and is a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. He earned his B.S. in economics and political science from the University of South Dakota, where he served as Student Body President and President of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

Tordsen will now be based in Rounds’ Sioux Falls office, located at 320 N. Main Street, Suite A in Sioux Falls, SD. 

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Rounds joins Thune in Introducing Dr. Heather Wilson at SASC Confirmation Hearing

Pat Powers

Rounds joins Thune in Introducing Dr. Heather Wilson at SASC Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) today joined U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in introducing Dr. Heather Wilson at her confirmation hearing to be Secretary of the Air Force. Dr. Wilson has been president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) since 2013.

Heading back to DC in about a week!

Pat Powers

It’s that time again!  It’s time for not-so-youngish anymore Mr. Powers to go to Washington!

I’m tagging along with my wife who will be in Washington DC next week for an education conference, and I’ll be in our nation’s capitol with all the time on the world on my hands.  The downside is that I’ll be getting there Thursday afternoon… probably about the time things wrap up for Easter recess.   But there’s still tons of things to do.

I plan on making a trip to Arlington National Cemetery, which is a place I have yet to visit.  I’m also planning a return visit to the Newseum, which has an exhibit running on Music and politics.

Saturday is probably going to be largely dedicated to the National Cherry Blossom Parade, which is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival taking place that week. Also on the list is the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom events.

Still trying to figure out Sunday, which will probably involve me walking some of the monuments. And I was told I was able to snag a couple of White House Tour tickets (I have never been before) for Monday. And while I enjoy my Twins games when I can make it, I grabbed some nice seats for the Washington Nationals v. St. Louis Cardinals game Monday night.

That’s probably enough for any vacation.  But it’s always a treat to get back to the nation’s capital, and I anticipate this trip will be no different!

Lora Hubbel files Statement of Organization for Gubernatorial Campaign Committee

Pat Powers

<insert audible groan here.>

Apparently getting her butt kicked in the past several elections is not a barrier to outgoing Constitutional Party Chairwoman Lora Hubbel, who had previously ran as a failed GOP Gubernatorial Primary Candidate, defeated Independent Lt. Governor General Election Candidate and most recently vanquished GOP State Senate Primary Candidate.

Because last week, South Dakota’s highest profile anti-vaxxer candidate filed a statement of organization in the race for Governor.

No word on party yet. (Please don’t be Republican.. Please don’t be Republican…)

If you want to replace the Department of Health with the Department of Alchemy, with the job description of that department head requiring the practice of the lost skills of being a medieval barber, well then she might just be your person.

God help us all.