Thune Expresses Concern Regarding the
Future of Agriculture Biotechnology

“I am greatly concerned that just like many other areas of regulatory overreach, future regulation of our biotech crops … could become much more cumbersome and complicated and send the wrong message to our trading partners overseas.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed his concern with the Obama administration’s overreach of federal regulation of agriculture biotechnology to a panel of witnesses during a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing entitled, “Agriculture Biotechnology: A Look at Federal Regulation and Stakeholder Perspectives.”

During his questioning, Thune received confirmation from Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Department of Agriculture witnesses that as a result of their research, foods produced from genetically modified (GM) plants are just as safe as foods produced from non-GM plants.

Opening statement (as prepared for delivery):

“Biotechnology has provided my home state of South Dakota and its number one industry, agriculture, with dramatic yield increases, drought tolerant crops, sustainability, and economic benefits that far exceed the expectations of just 10 or 20 years ago.

“Farmers in South Dakota and across the United States take great pride in not only the amount of the crops they produce and the number of people they feed, but most importantly the safety of the food supply they provide not only for U.S. and global populations, but also for their own families.

“Based on the testimony provided for today’s hearing, I am greatly concerned that just like many other areas of regulatory overreach, future regulation of our biotech crops, especially regarding the approval process, could become much more cumbersome and complicated and send the wrong message to our trading partners overseas – which could be very detrimental to my home state, as it depends heavily on export markets.

“Additionally, the uncertainty created by states individually passing mandatory GMO labeling laws would be devastating to producers as our supply chains are much too complex to meet the needs of 50 states.”

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Rounds Chairs Hearing on EPA Regulations

 WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, today conducted a hearing to analyze the process by which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIAs) on the new regulations it imposes on the American people. The hearing, entitled Oversight of Regulatory Impact Analyses for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regulations, is in response to studies that show EPA has used incomplete, inaccurate and faulty data when analyzing the economic impact its rules will have on citizens and businesses. This has led to more than 3,300 final regulations being published by the EPA since President Obama took office and more than $42 billion in regulatory costs last year alone.

 “Everybody desires clean air and clean water, but we have to ask whether there is a better way to achieve it without imposing burdensome regulations in which the costs outweigh the benefits,” said Rounds during his opening statement. “Due to the EPA’s failure to clearly and accurately quantify the costs and benefits of regulations, agencies are unable to make well-informed decisions. Even more troubling, the public, American businesses and state and local governments are prevented from understanding the real impact of the regulation and meaningfully participating in the rulemaking process.”

Video of Rounds’ Opening Statement

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This is a the beginning of a Presidential campaign without precedent in my life.  The Democrats are offering a person being investigated by the FBI for national security violations, an avowed Socialist and a person contemplating his third or fourth run for the White House.  On the other hand, the GOP has three candidates who have never held elective office currently being supported by over 50% of Republican primary voters, a son and brother of former Presidents, two Cuban-American Senators, and a covey of guys with great resumes unable to register in most polls (two of whom have won the Iowa caucus).

In one week, we have the last of the likely “cattle call” Republican debates, the CNBC debate in Boulder focusing on foreign policy.   The next sponsors (Fox Business/Wall Street Journal & CNN) haven’t released any details on their debate’s format, length and criteria for participation. I suspect both debate sponsors desire a smaller number of participants (like 5 or 6) but are hoping people drop out so they don’t have to make the tough decision to set a realistic criteria of viability.

The Top-tier candidates are Trump (26.2% Real Clear Politics poll average) & Carson (21.2%). These campaigns are starting to flex some muscles. Like traditional poll leaders who avoid or minimize debates, they issued a joint letter threatening not to participate unless the debate was 2 hours long including commercials (leaving effectively 90 minutes for debate). Frankly, it is too early to go into a prevent defense. These candidates are hot. Hot batters don’t ask for shorter games. Point: It looks like Trump and Carson are starting to think they might actually get the nomination.

Bottom Tier candidates . The first choice and second choice level of support for Kasich, Santorum, Graham, Gilmore, Jindal & Pataki does not add up to the first choice of those in the mid-tier. Additionally, none of them have a combination of 1^st & 2^nd choice above 5%. Unless something big happens soon for Paul, Christie & Huckabee (collective support is 10%), there is no compelling reason for them either to remain in the race. Point: Taking up space is not an accomplishment.

Mid-tier candidates. Bush (1^st & 2^nd Choice 18%, $10mm Cash on Hand), Cruz (12%, $13mm), Fiorina (10%, $5.5mm) & Rubio (18%, $11mm) have both the money and a base of support to build upon and attempt to attract support from others. Point: Do not panic. Slippage by Trump & Carson plus the support by those who drop off can change someone’s fortunes.

What has happened since August 7^th (right before the Fox debate).

• Carson: Up 15.4% (Up 9.7% in Iowa & 6.5% in New Hampshire
• Fiorina: Up 4.6% (up 10% in Iowa & 10% in New Hampshire)
• Rubio:   Up 3.5% (up 4.3% in Iowa & 4.8% in New Hampshire)
• Cruz: Up 2.9% (up 2.6% in Iowa & 4% in New Hampshire)
• Trump: Up 1.9% (up 2% in Iowa & 2% in New Hampshire)
• Bush: Down 5.5% (down 4.5% in Iowa & 2% in New Hampshire)
• Bottom Tier candidates: Down 9.5%
• Walker & Perry: Down 12.5%

Point: 27% of support has been in play (from bottom-tier candidates, Bush, Walker & Perry. 60% of it went to Carson.  If momentum means anything at this stage, only one guy has it.

Current Head-to-Head General Election Matchups (Biden beats all GOP candidates, Sanders loses to all but Trump) :

• Carson-Clinton: Carson by 4.8%
• Bush-Clinton: Bush by 1.6%
• Fiorina-Clinton: Fiorina by 1.0%
• Rubio-Clinton: Clinton by 1.3%
• Trump-Clinton: Clinton by 2.5%.
• Cruz-Clinton: Clinton by 7.7%

Point: This is just a baseline to watch as the campaign progresses and probably increases the odds Biden stays out.

 Random Commentary:

Trump & Carson: Trump is loud and brash but has been more measured and thoughtful lately. Carson is quiet, calm and thoughtful but has been more visceral lately. Neither have records so will we demand greater detail from them or will we just allow them to give us platitudes and bromides? As candidates drop out, will they gain additional support or have they hit their respective peaks?

Bush & Rubio: Is there room for two big fishes from Florida? You are now essentially tied. Who will blink first?

Cruz & Fiorina: Is your only hope Trump & Carson fade? Who has the better strategy- Cruz playing nice with Trump or Fiorina taking the fight to the Manhattan mogul? In either case, neither of you have earned any free media since the last debate. Out of sight, out of mind.

Paul, Christie & Huckabee: Time and money is running short. The upcoming CNBC debate is likely your last realistic opportunity for your campaigns running on fumes. Is there even enough fuel to light a spark or are your campaigns dead and you just don’t know it?

Kasich: Whether you are prepared to admit it or not, you are in the bottom tier with Santorum, Graham, Gilmore, Jindal, & Pataki. Whatever path to the nomination when you saw when you announced is likely covered from a mudslide from your answer on the Iran nuclear deal. Scott Walker went back to Wisconsin. Time for you to go back to Ohio.

Actual Betting odds (betfair.com) on winners of the GOP nomination:

1. Rubio: 3.5/1 (29%)
2. Bush: 4.2/1 (24%)
3. Trump: 7.2/1 (14%)
4. Carson: 12/1 (8%)
5. Cruz: 16/1 (6%)
6. Fiorina: 18.5/1 (5%)
7. Christie 25/1 (4%)
8. Huckabee: 32/1 (3%)
9. Kasich: 34/1 (3%)
10. Other/Rest of the Field: 50/1 (2%)
11. Paul: 80/1 (1%)

Point: It is my observation betters are better at predicting the future than people who write and read blogs. That said, if I was going with the “smart money,” I like Rubio’s odds better than Bush’s.  If I were going to bet on a long-shot, I’d go with Fiorina.  

Two other parting comments:

1. I think Trump’s ultimate and best play is broker at the convention.  Because Trump has seemed to settle in at 25% support (and appears to have the lowest ceiling based on his Net Favorable/Unfavorable, winning is less likely in a small field.  However, until the field winnows, he is going to win delegates.
2. I think Carson’s best play is to endorse someone with the expectation to be Vice-President.    Carson has the highest Favorable and Net Favorable/Unfavorable in the field.  There is probably nobody who could change the dynamic more than Carson.  Plus, it would allay any potential concerns whether his prior experience is sufficient to be President of the United States.

 

Thune Statement on Bill to Stop Sanctuary Cities  
“Sanctuary policies have allowed thousands of dangerous criminals to return to our nation’s streets, and too many American families have paid a terrible price as a result.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would protect families and communities from the dangers posed by sanctuary cities, which harbor criminals who are in this country illegally.

“Sanctuary policies have allowed thousands of dangerous criminals to return to our nation’s streets, and too many American families have paid a terrible price as a result. Yet despite the dangers posed by these policies, Senate Democrats are refusing to even debate this legislation.

“By blocking the bill, Senate Democrats are once again employing their favorite strategy of obstruction. In recent weeks, Democrats have opposed funding for our troops and our veterans, and now they are blocking common-sense legislation that is widely supported by the law enforcement community.”

Currently, there are 340 jurisdictions across the country that have official policies discouraging cooperation with federal immigration enforcement officers, resulting in the release of approximately 1,000 criminal aliens per month.

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Open SD Receives Facelift

PIERRE, S.D. – The Bureau of Finance and Management has redesigned state government’s transparency website, Open.SD.gov, to make financial data more accessible.

Open SD was created in 2008 to provide public access to state financial data and new functionalities have been added over the past seven years. The website is updated daily with information from the state’s central financial systems. Searches for vendor payments, employee salaries and state government contracts are among the most utilized features of the website. The site also provides access to detailed budget information, tax expenditures, financial publications and other open government resources.

The Bureau expects the reorganization will simplify its ability to incorporate other functionalities in the future. In addition to making cosmetic changes to Open SD, the Bureau has reorganized the navigation menu and made the site mobile-friendly. The new site also links to commonly-accessed public information, such as the Boards and Commissions portal and the state statutes and rules websites.

In 2014, the US Public Interest Research Group named Open SD the eighth most improved state government transparency website in the nation and designated South Dakota as the top “Advancing State” for transparency. Since 2011 the South Dakota has improved its US PIRG rating from a D+ to an A-.

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According to KELOland News, Democrat City Councilor Michelle Erpenbach had her proposed draconian cell phone ban defeated on a 5-3 vote last night.

Does this put a dent in her plans to run for Mayor of Sioux Falls?

In case you missed the new Star Wars Trailer last night, because you didn’t watch the game on ESPN:

My 2nd grader son looking over my shoulder as I previewed it asked “Dad, we’re going to go see that, aren’t we?”

As a seven-time viewer of the original, my answer was “Yes. We’re going to go see it.”

I had forgotten about this until one until I started doing a search of campaign finance reports.  If you recall long, long ago during the races of 2012….  Long before we elected Mike Rounds to the US Senate, and no one had any idea who Annette Bosworth was…

As I chronicled in November 2012, a pair of postcards his mailboxes right before the election in the District where Stace Nelson was running, as well as District 9, where Paula Hawks was running, where a Democrat front group – in an attempt to make their party’s candidates – made them try to seem more “Republican-y”:

Who was one of the people behind all of this?  Now Democrat Congressional Candidate Paula Hawks.

As you can see, and as I chronicled back then, Paula Hawks fully contributed half of the funds for the project out of her political campaign account.

It probably doesn’t mean much at this point in the campaign. But as it gets down to the wire, it might be an indicator of the type of deception and dirty tricks we might expect to come out of the Hawks campaign.

In this latest commercial from the Bush Campaign, Jeb Bush’s Campaign takes aim at Donald Trump’s knowledge of foreign policy. Or lack thereof.

Rounds Returns From Trip to Middle East

PIERRE—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday returned from a weeklong trip to Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan to discuss national security issues with U.S. and foreign leaders in the Middle East. The trip, which was led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), also included Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.).

During their trip, the lawmakers met with U.S. troops, military leaders and political leaders to review regional issues and the counter-ISIL campaign. In addition to visiting with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from their respective states, the Members met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, KRG President Masoud Barzani, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Rounds will discuss his trip further during his weekly media call with South Dakota reporters on Thursday.

 

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