Did my eyes decieve me, or was that Mike Myers with Annette Bosworth at today’s hearing regarding her status in a federal database?

Watch for yourself at KSFY.

The AG sent out a court filing today that sheds a little more light on the extravagance that the parties involved in the GEAR-UP investigation treated themselves to, including a lot of steakhouses, and around 20k at best buy:

Notice of Intent Introduce Phelps by Pat Powers

While I was out at convention, I received a much anticipated pin I’d bought on e-bay, the purely local counterpart to one in the State Museum which also includes Taft on it:

Governor Vessey and US Senator Coe Crawford were Republicans, and during their time in office were mired in a controversy that sounds oddly familiar:

During an interview with a news correspondent in early September, Crawford talked candidly about the political situation in his state. He excoriated Taft’s managers at the Republican convention for “fraudulently and illegally forcing the nomination of Taft” by unseating delegates in certain states who were pledged to Roosevelt.

and…

Crawford also explained that all Republicans, whether stalwart or progressive, who were legally nominated in the primary should be favored by the party in the general election. In other words, he was willing to give loyal Republican stalwarts the full support of the party.

Unfortunately. Crawford’s reasoning did not convince the conservatives, for an editorial in the Daily Huronite on 4 September, the day of the publication of his interview, described the Senator as, among other things, “a combined republican-bull-moosie.”

A week later, the editors commented that the South Dakota factions of Republicanism had reached “the parting of the ways” and that there would be “no further overtures for a settlement of differences.”

Unable to conceal their abhorrence of the Progressive campaign, approximately two hundred and fifty conservative supporters of Taft gathered in Mitchell, South Dakota, on 19 and 20 September to lodge an official protest. Meeting at the Gale Theatre, the delegates chose Charles M. Day, editor of the Sioux Falls Daily Argus-Leader, as chairman of the convention. Senator Gamble also attended and delivered an address. The conservative spokesmen then passed a resolution that read: “That we condemn the action of Governor Vessey [and] Senator Crawford .. . in escorting and supporting the Bull Moose candidate for Vice President through this state in his campaign against the republican national nominees.”

and…

South Dakota stalwarts sought revenge for Crawford’s refusal to endorse Taft. Their opportunity to strike back came in the 1914 senatorial primary. Congressman Burke defeated the incumbent senator in that contest, but Burke in turn lost the general election to Edwin S. Johnson, the Democratic challenger. When Crawford’s single term as Senator ended in March 1915. he returned to his law practice in Huron.

Read the entire story of Coe Crawford and the Campaign of 1912 here.

A fuss over a nominee? A split in the party between “Stalwarts” and “Progressive Republicans?”

Naaahh…  Could never happen in South Dakota again.

Rounds Expresses Concern Over Staff Downsizing at Hot Springs VA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Janet Murphy, Director of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Midwest Health Care Network, asking why the VA Black Hills Health Care System continues to downsize staff at the Hot Springs Medical Clinic, despite current law which forbids such actions. No formal decision has been made on the realignment of services within the Black Hills Health Care System, nor has the final Environmental Impact Statement been released.

“In 2012 the Hot Springs Campus was staffed with three medical doctors, two physician assistants and one nurse practitioner working in primary care. Today only one physician assistant remains to meet the needs of veterans in primary care,” wrote Rounds. “These staff reductions have dramatically reduced care and services to veterans, placed undue burden and stress on remaining staff and potentially add risk for veterans.”

The full text of the letter is available below:

June 27, 2016

Ms. Janet Murphy
Network Director
VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23)
2805 Dodd Road, Suite 250
Eagan, MN 55121

Dear Director Murphy,

I write to express my concern over the continual downsizing and staff reductions at the Hot Springs Campus of the VA Black Hills Health Care System. Specifically, since 2012, I note 33 key clinical positions have either been transferred or eliminated at the Hot Springs campus.  These staff reductions have dramatically reduced care and services to veterans, placed undue burden and stress on remaining staff and potentially add risk for veterans.

In 2012 the Hot Springs Campus was staffed with three medical doctors, two physician assistants and one nurse practitioner working in primary care. Today only one physician assistant remains to meet the needs of veterans in primary care. Of eight pharmacists on staff in 2012, only two positions remain. Of six respiratory therapists on staff in 2012, only three positions remain. The respiratory therapist shortage recently resulted in patients being informed on June 10 via a sign on the door that the Respiratory Therapy Clinic was “closed due to lack of staff.” I also note the further staff reductions of psychiatrists, surgical physicians, nurse practitioners, X-ray technicians, lab technicians, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Given the final Hot Springs Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has not been released and that no formal decision has been made by the VA regarding the realignment of services in the Black Hills Health Care System, these deliberate staff reductions are deeply concerning.    Additionally, current law has suspended any realignment in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 for the last three years. This provision remains in effect until the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transmits to Congress a comprehensive national realignment strategy of health care services. To date, I am unaware of Congress receiving such a report.

Under these circumstances, I respectfully ask the following questions:

1. Why has the Hot Springs Campus undergone such dramatic downsizing over the last four years?
2. How does the VA interpret the law to allow for the elimination of these services at the Hot Springs Campus?

I thank you for your hard work and commitment to serving our veterans. I share your goal of improving access and quality of care for all of our nation’s heroes and look forward to hearing back from you on this important matter. I would very much appreciate a response not later than July 27^th, 2016.

Sincerely,

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I love it! As political buttons get rarer, because they go into the drawers of collectors, and not worn, the 2016 “Kristi for Congress Pin” is out, and has a bit of a “crossfit” theme.

South Dakota’s Priorities Take Center Stage
By Sen. John Thune

Last January, I was humbled to be selected by my colleagues to serve as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. What an honor it’s been. Over the last year-and-a-half, we’ve worked hard to make the American people’s priorities our priorities. Safer skies, improved railways, and bringing our interstate highway system further into the 21^st century have all been on the agenda this Congress, and the Commerce Committee has a long list of accomplishments to show for it.

An effective and efficient transportation system is critical to South Dakota’s economy, especially to our agriculture producers, which means as chairman of the Commerce Committee, I’m in a unique position to ensure our state’s interests are given the national attention they deserve.

In 2013 and 2014, a historic rail service crisis hurt local crop prices, challenged crop storage capacity, and caused certain transportation premiums to rise by as much as 150 percent because agriculture producers and other shippers were unable to transport goods into and out of the state in a timely manner. In response, the Commerce Committee made several important first-of-their-kind reforms to the Surface Transportation Board, the federal regulatory agency responsible for economic oversight of America’s freight rail system.

My legislation, which was signed into law last year, will make the board more accountable to the people who depend on rail transportation and far more effective in addressing rail rate and service disputes. Implementation of these reforms is underway, and we have already begun to see improvements on the timeliness and responsiveness of the board.

The committee passed key provisions of the Senate’s multi-year highway bill that will provide long-term certainty to state and local governments across the country and increase investment in roads and bridges in South Dakota. In the committee, I drafted numerous highway bill provisions to cut regulatory red tape for agriculture shippers and create new investments in the freight rail system in our state, and I’m glad they were included in the final bill.

Aviation safety and security has been one of the committee’s top priorities. We spent months working on my legislation to reauthorize and reform the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which would help improve the travel experience for consumers, and make it safer and more secure too.

This legislation tightens the vetting process for airport workers who have access to secure areas, expands TSA PreCheck, and strengthens security at international airports with direct flights into the United States. These security reforms and consumer protections represent a common-sense approach and deserve to be enacted into law.

While our transportation system certainly makes it easier for us to get ourselves and other goods and services from one place to another, the distance between cities in rural America still presents its challenges, and health care delivery is key among them.

To help close that gap, the committee took up and passed my Rural Health Care Connectivity Act, which was just signed into law. My bill will make it easier and cheaper to access health care facilities and medical professionals in rural areas across the state without having to travel long distances to do so.

I’m proud of what our committee has accomplished in a relatively short period of time, and I’m eager to build on these early successes as we continue to fight for what’s important to South Dakotans and all Americans.

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Orlando Attacks a Reminder that Defeating ISIS is a Matter of National Security
By Senator Mike Rounds

In the wake of the Orlando terrorist attack, I remain focused on national security and the best approach to protect Americans from those who wish to do us harm. We know the Orlando terrorist held extremist views and pledged allegiance to ISIS. ISIS leaders applauded the attack and almost immediately took credit for it. This underscores my belief that in order to prevent terrorists from attacking our citizens, we must defeat and destroy Islamic extremism that supports and perpetuates terrorism.

Unfortunately, some in Congress have tried to politicize the Orlando attack and make this about gun restrictions. No one wants terrorists to have guns, but any legislation to prevent them from accessing firearms must first and foremost protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

Recently, the Senate voted on two amendments that would keep our right to bear arms intact while also temporarily delaying individuals on the terror watch list from buying guns, giving prosecutors ample time to do an investigation and make certain he or she poses no harm to the public. This would make sure the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens remain protected while actually stopping terrorists from accessing guns. Unfortunately, these common-sense proposals were rejected by Senate Democrats, the very ones participating in unruly sit-ins and staging pseudo-filibusters in the name of stopping these senseless attacks. Rather than working with us on these sensible solutions, they have chosen to advance the political agenda of the far left.

Additionally, recognizing that we are at war with jihadists, we must work together to clearly define a plan of more than half-measures to defeat ISIS and other Islamic extremist groups that spread violence and seek to destroy America. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, we hear time and time again about the growing dangers of ISIS and other extremist groups in the Middle East. Yet the president continues to say that ISIS is shrinking. In reality, ISIS maintains significant strength in Syria and elsewhere, and its message has inspired attacks in Orlando, Paris, San Bernardino, Istanbul and many other places all over the world. CIA Director John Brennan recently testified in front of Congress, saying “Despite all our progress against ISIL on the battlefield and in the financial realm, our efforts have not reduced the group’s terrorism capability and global reach.” It is clear that the president’s current course of limited action is not working.

The best way to prevent ISIS-inspired attacks here at home is to defeat ISIS and other Islamic extremist groups which spread hate and perpetuate violence against our country. To truly stop these attacks, the president should listen to his advisors and give counter-terrorism and military leaders the tools they need to stop these attacks before they happen.

The Senate will continue to debate ways to better protect our country in the coming days and weeks. I will consider legislation that would actually prevent dangerous terrorists from inflicting harm, but under no circumstances do I believe that we should deny due process to any American citizen.

###

Unity and Fellowship
By Rep. Kristi Noem

 

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Gettysburg battlefield and the cemetery where President Lincoln delivered his famous address.  Today, scattered throughout the hills that made up the fighting plain are statues, markers, and memorials dedicated to those who fought.  Toward the middle of the battlefield stands the Eternal Light Peace Memorial with the inscription: “an enduring light to guide us in unity and fellowship.”

Even after I left Gettysburg that day, those words stayed with me.  The founding principles that created unity and fellowship during the American Revolution were being put to the ultimate test during the Civil War, and it was uncertain whether a nation founded on the idea of liberty could long endure.  At the time, we were not only divided as countrymen, we were divided as families and communities – brothers fighting brothers, neighbors fighting neighbors.

Of course, we know now that this nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal did endure – and not only did we endure, but we have prospered.  That prosperity is a testament to the American people and the principles we share – principles first written in the Declaration of Independence: “that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  It is these values we celebrate each Fourth of July.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to the Middle East.  During a meeting with the Egyptian Parliament, we received a number of questions about where America stood and what we stood for.  It was deeply concerning to me that our allies were uncertain about this.  We told them we were on the side of democracy.  We believe our rights are God-given, not government-given, and that’s why we support free elections.  The conversation underscored why it is so critical to have leaders and a general public who understand our history and the principles we’ve proclaimed for the last 240 years.

The Battle of Gettysburg drew to a close just hours before Independence Day 1863. Four months later, President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address on the battlefield, dedicating a national cemetery to those who “gave their lives that [this] nation might live.”  I would note that not only did these men give their lives so that our nation might live; they, and many since, gave their lives so that the promise of freedom, democracy, and liberty may endure as well.

As we celebrate our independence, I hope you take a moment to thank those who have fought to defend our values and reflect on the fact that these principles still serve as an enduring light to guide America in unity and fellowship.  Have a happy and safe Independence Day.

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A Walk Through South Dakota History
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

Every year, thousands of visitors come to Pierre to enjoy all that our Capital City has to offer. Every South Dakotan can be proud of the State Capitol Building, which has been beautifully restored and maintained. The Capitol grounds are also impressive, especially in the summer, with the Fighting Stallions Memorial and the veterans’ memorials along Capitol Lake. The Cultural Heritage Center provides an opportunity to learn about the history of our state.

South Dakotans may not be aware of a new attraction that is being added to our Capital City – the Trail of Governors. This project combines art and history, and is placing life-sized bronze statues of every former South Dakota governor in Pierre, on a trail connecting the downtown business district with the Capitol grounds.

The Trail of Governors was started about five years ago. It is operated by a non-profit board and funded entirely by private donations. Each year, beginning in 2012, three new statues, sculpted by South Dakota artists, have been unveiled and placed in the Capital City.

Three new statues were just unveiled: Warren E. Green, Nils Boe and Mike Rounds.

Warren E. Green was the state’s thirteenth governor. He was a farmer and former legislator from Hamlin County. Green had finished dead last in the Republican primary, but after the leading candidates deadlocked at the Republican Convention, Green was nominated as a compromise. He served for two years during the depths of the Great Depression. Green’s statue portrays him clutching his hat with his jacket blowing in the wind, conveying the difficult days of the “Dust Bowl” era. It will be placed to the north of the Capitol on Nicollet Avenue.

Nils Boe served from 1965-69 as the state’s twenty-third governor. An attorney from Sioux Falls, Boe had served two terms previously as speaker of the house, and was the only bachelor to serve as governor. While serving as speaker, his fellow legislators had presented him with a beagle puppy, known as “Beagle Boe.” The statue, which will be placed in downtown Pierre, portrays Boe with his beagle.

Mike Rounds was South Dakota’s thirty-first governor before being elected to the U.S. Senate. An avid pheasant hunter, Gov. Rounds prioritized the expansion of public hunting opportunities. His statue portrays Mike ready for the hunt, with his shotgun in hand and his hunting dog, Baby, at his side. The statue will be placed on the Governor’s Mansion grounds on Capitol Avenue, near the Pierre neighborhood where the Rounds family grew up.

These three new statues join 12 others that have already been placed in Pierre: Arthur Mellette, Charles Herreid, Robert Vessey, Peter Norbeck, Harlan Bushfield, George T. Mickelson, Frank Farrar, Dick Kneip, Harvey Wollman, Bill Janklow, George S. Mickelson and Walter Dale Miller. On your next visit to Pierre, I encourage you to enjoy the Trail of Governors and take a walk through South Dakota history.

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In case you weren’t able to make it, and had an interest in reading the SDGOP 2016 platform as presented to delegates, here’s the draft copy that was handed out.

2016 GOP Party Platform (Draft) by Pat Powers