Secretary of Treasury Nominee Shares Thune’s Vision for Pro-Growth Economic Policies

“Keep that focus on growth – we’ve got to get that growth rate back up.” – Sen. Thune

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, today questioned President-elect Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the treasury, Steven Mnuchin. Thune highlighted his priorities for the next secretary of the treasury, which include comprehensive tax reform and increasing economic growth. Mnuchin shared Thune’s vision for pro-growth economic policy, and Thune received Mnuchin’s commitment to work with him on these issues. 

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The New York Daily News, as well as a number of other news outlets, are reporting that  – despite letting a lot of other people who endangered lives in this country walk free – there’s one killer who should be kept locked up:

More commutations are expected from President Obama on his last day in office, but one high-profile name will not be on the list — jailed Native American activist Leonard Peltier.

The 72-year-old who was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting deaths of two FBI agents in 1975 will not get a commutation from President Obama despite a well-coordinated campaign from supporters that included Pope Francis himself.

and…

The Department of Justice dashed the hopes of Peltier, his family and supporters in a terse email sent to his lawyer Wednesday afternoon.

“The application for commutation of sentence of your client, Mr. Leonard Peltier, was carefully considered in this Department and the White House, and the decision was reached that favorable action is not warranted. Your client’s application was therefore denied by the President on January 18, 2017,” it said.

Read it here.

And here’s a rare opportunity to say “Good job, President Obama. You did the right thing.”

I was texting with newly installed Representative (and former Brookings Mayor) Tim Reed last night, as I’m always curious what those who are experiencing the process from the inside for the first time think about the sausage making process we call the South Dakota State Legislature.

I asked Tim – So, how is the session going? I’d love your impressions as a new legislator. His response:

I’m glad we have started to deal with issues that directly affect citizens. I tire of all the more political issues that is dominating discussions.

Those issues will need to be addressed but I enjoy voting on bills today (even if I was in the minority) and in the future that matter.

The procedure seems to take an inordinate amount of time at the onset of a new session, and shouldn’t be so bad this year. Although, as I noted, the legislature is arguably not going to be as productive this year, since we’re mired down in silliness.

I just caught this on Facebook, and thought I’d share it for those who knew Andrea way back when. I was acquainted with her from her time up in the legislature while I was working for the Party, as her Mom Mary Wagner was a State Senator, as well as around the SDSU campus on occasion when I returned to school (Her Dad was University President Robert Wagner), and I’d even run into her once in a blue moon at session:

Andrea Radke, 55, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2017 at Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Irene, SD surrounded by her loving family.

Andrea Wagner was born July 2, 1961 in Sioux Falls, SD.  Her early years were spent in Watertown, South Dakota.  Her family later moved to Brookings where she graduated from Brookings High School in 1979.  After graduation, Andrea attended Mankato State University where she studied Journalism and Mass Communications.  After receiving her undergraduate degree from Mankato State, she eventually went on to earn a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland.  This was one of Andrea’s proudest accomplishments.   After graduating from Maryland, Andrea worked for the South Dakota Municipal League in Pierre, South Dakota.  One of her duties was being a legislative lobbyist where she met many life-long friends and acquaintances.  In 1991, Andrea moved to Sioux Falls and worked for Voyageur Asset Management.

and..

Andrea was active in politics.  She helped manage her mother’s State Senate Campaign.  She also worked on Senator Jim Abdnor’s United States Senate race.  Andrea also loved to travel.  She was up for almost any adventure.  Andrea was a member of Westward Ho Country Club.  She was an avid golfer.  She made sure that her children were introduced to the game as well.  One of Andrea’s most cherished pastimes was driving Erin and Lee to junior golf tournaments.  Andrea was extremely proud of her children’s golf accomplishments.

On November 12, 2004, the day Andrea’s beloved mother passed from this earth after a short and unexpected illness, Andrea was befallen by a tragic and unexpected heart ailment which permanently left her with a severe brain injury. For the past 1 2 years, God has been holding Andrea in his loving arms until she could finally go to heaven to join her mother, father, friends and loved ones.

Read it all here.

Andrea was a truly nice person. May her family be at peace.

Well, there went a potentially productive session. The House is convening a committee for purposes of investigating a Republican legislator for misconduct.

Members of the South Dakota House or Representatives on Wednesday called for the investigation of Rep. Mathew Wollmann, R-Madison, for allegedly engaging in sexual contact with a legislative intern in 2015 and 2016.

Rep. Lee Qualm and Rep. Kent Peterson moved to convene the Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion during the chamber’s floor session. Qualm said Wollmann admitted to him that he had had consensual sexual intercourse with an intern.

Read it here.

That’s all the detail that’s been provided at this point.  It’s too bad, as Wollmann has always been a pretty straight shooter, and honorable person, who was recently on Facebook celebrating his engagement to a nice gal.

We all probably need to wait and hear what the facts are before we pass judgement. But it is what it is, and there it is.

Update – One very important point in this, and one that has legal ramifications was brought up to me this afternoon. If the House is going to take issue with what happened between consenting adults, they should also be wary of how the standards of conduct are applied across terms of office, especially since the time frame is for 2015 & 2016, as noted in the news.

What little has been noted in the press all occurred during the prior term of office, not the current term of office Wollmann was just seated for.

If we’re going to look retroactively at Mat, why would he be the only legislator? There could be special committees convened for anyone who may have acted contrary to the rules in years past. A lobbyist today pointed out a couple to me just off the top of his head.

If you recall in the instance of Dan Sutton, it had been noted that even if they had expelled him, he could have ran again, and been seated, because the conduct he was eventually censured for was in that current term of office, and a new term is a new term.

At the very least, everyone should keep calm, and not be so ready to pick up a pitchfork.

Rounds to Chair Newly-Formed Subcommittee on Cybersecurity

WASHINGTON— U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), announced today that he will serve as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity in the 115th Congress.

“It is an honor to be chosen to chair this important subcommittee, which will be tasked with oversight and legislation for policies and programs relating to the Defense Department’s cyber forces and capabilities,” said Rounds. “Of particular concern to me is the Defense Department’s role in responding to an attack on our nation’s civilian critical infrastructure and in deterring bad actors from conducting such an attack in the first place.

“As recent events have shown, the U.S. is not immune to a cyber-attack from hostile foreign actors. Even more alarming, our adversaries have determined that the reward outweighs the risk of launching a cyber-attack against our nation. It is the newest, most sophisticated form of attack threatening our national security today. A cyber-attack on our critical infrastructure, including electric grids, transportation systems and water supplies, could cause significant destruction, or worse, lead to loss of life. I look forward to working closely with SASC Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the coming weeks to outline an agenda for the committee that will tackle the most pressing national security matters with regard to cybersecurity.”

 

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Thune: Next Secretary of Commerce Will Serve During Important Time in Our Nation’s Economic Recovery

“I believe [Wilbur Ross’] extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip him well for the job of leading the Department of Commerce.”  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today chaired a confirmation hearing for President-elect Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Wilbur Ross. Thune highlighted Ross’ business, entrepreneurial, and civic experience, while stressing that his nomination comes at an important time in our nation’s economic recovery. Trade, American innovation, and cybersecurity best practices and standards are some of Thune’s top priorities for the next secretary of commerce. 

Thune’s prepared remarks:

“Good morning, we are meeting today to consider the nomination of Mr. Wilbur Ross to be the next Secretary of Commerce.  

“If confirmed, Mr. Ross would bring decades of business, entrepreneurial, and civic experience to this important position.  

“Mr. Ross is perhaps best known for his expertise in revitalizing distressed businesses, such as those in the U.S. steel industry. 

“At a time when most investors had abandoned the industry, he organized International Steel Group in 2002 and, through acquisitions, made it the largest integrated steel company in North America.

“Later, it merged with Mittal Steel to form the largest steel company in the world.

Mr. Ross’s strong record of achievement in business led Bloomberg Business Week to name him one of the 50 Most Influential People in Global Finance in 2011. 

“It is also why he is the only person elected to both the Turnaround Management Hall of Fame and the Private Equity Hall of Fame.

“Mr. Ross’s business experience is complemented by his service to the community. 

“Mr. Ross served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and he is currently a Member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of Harvard Business School.  

“He is also an Advisory Board Member of the Yale University School of Management, which has presented him with its Legend of Leadership Award.  

“Mr. Ross’s nomination comes at an important time in our nation’s economic recovery.  

“And I believe his extensive management experience in the private sector, and his understanding of the challenges faced by workers and businesses alike, will equip him well for the job of leading the Department of Commerce. 

“This large department, which has 12 different bureaus and nearly 47,000 employees located in all 50 states and around the world, oversees a diverse array of issues from trade to fishery management, and from weather forecasting to the Census Bureau.  

“I will be asking Mr. Ross about many of the challenges facing the department and our economy. 

“First and foremost, I will be asking how he plans to deal with trade matters as the Secretary of Commerce. 

“I also want to explore how, if confirmed, he would continue to play a lead role in advocating for policies that promote American innovation, like freeing up government spectrum for private use and facilitating the growing Internet of Things.  

“Mr. Ross’s experience turning around businesses should help him anticipate and mitigate the risks of major programs like FirstNet, the independent authority charged with creating a nationwide broadband network for first responders, and the acquisition of critical weather satellites by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

“Finally, I would note that collaboration between the public and private sectors is one of the hallmarks of the department’s work, as exemplified by the ongoing development of cybersecurity best practices and standards, which this Committee has strongly endorsed.  

“Mr. Ross, should you be confirmed, we will be depending on you to continue this collaboration and strengthen it where necessary.  

“Mr. Ross, I believe your business know-how and intelligence make you an excellent candidate to serve as the next Secretary of Commerce, and I look forward to supporting your nomination.” 

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Read more about it here. 

If you haven’t caught the news yet, Laurie Gill, who serves in the Governor’s cabinet as Commissioner of the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources, is declining to run for another term as Mayor of Pierre.

Gill had been serving since 2008, so this is the first opportunity in a long while for an open mayoral seat in South Dakota’s Capital.

So you want to be mayor of a Capital City?  Petitions can be taken out starting March 1, with an election on June 6.