Driving In Winter Weather
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

There’s nothing like the first snowfall of the year. When I was young, a heavy storm meant no school, and my sisters and I would play cards with Dad, after we did the farm chores.

Snow is nice until you have to drive in it. Though South Dakotans know how to handle snow and cold weather, we still need to prepare ourselves for the hazardous driving conditions winter brings.

Driving in winter weather is a serious matter. Every year during the holiday season, the Highway Patrol sees a spike in traffic accidents and fatalities. Around the Thanksgiving holiday this year, 10 people lost their lives in car crashes and several others were severely injured.

If you will be traveling for Christmas or New Year’s, prepare yourself. Before you travel, go to SafeTravelUSA.com/SD, call 511 or download the SDDOT 511 app to check road conditions. Pack a flashlight, blankets, drinking water and a shovel. Make sure your car is ready for the trip by checking your tires and scraping off the ice from all of your windows.

When you’re driving, take it slow and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. It’s usually a good idea to leave cruise control off. Conditions can change quickly in the winter and you need to be ready.

Don’t crowd the plow. Department of Transportation crews work long hours in the worst conditions, and they do their best to keep our highways clear of ice and snow. When you approach a snow plow, leave at least four car lengths between you and the back of the plow. Never pass a plow on the right. This is the direction plows push the snow.

No matter what season it is, always wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up. Nearly two-thirds of those who died in car crashes in South Dakota in the last year were not wearing their seatbelts. Whether you are traveling across the state or just driving a few blocks, buckling up could save your life.

Traveling to spend Christmas with loved ones is well worth it. To keep the holidays from turning tragic, do all that is within your power to arrive safely at your destination. Be safe and have a great holiday season.

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Wow! There are some Democrats out there who don’t like the way their party is run. And not just a little. They really, really don’t like the way their party is run, and are openly accusing South Dakota Democrat elites of favoritism and self-dealing. They even throw out the word “corrupt.”

But don’t take my word for it. Read it here as described by the Sioux Falls Chapter of the Democrat group “Drinking Liberally,” in a post from Friday attributed to Sheldon Osborn:

Despite the poor showing by the Democratic Party in 2014, its leadership and staff tolerated no self-examination and allocated no time for reflection at its post-election meeting last December. Instead they applauded everyone’s efforts ad nauseam and retreated to executive session to allocate election bonuses, pay raises, and interim consulting contracts to its staff. (Some might describe this as corrupt given the active favoritism the Party leadership and its staff practiced in the election of new Party officers.) It was a classic example of top-down leadership from a group desperate to maintain its grip on the remnants of its power. It is little wonder that Democratic registration continues to decline.

“Instead they applauded everyone’s efforts ad nauseam and retreated to executive session to allocate election bonuses, pay raises, and interim consulting contracts to its staff.”

The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) meets next week in Chamberlain to change its Constitution and plan for the future. The new Constitution, after numerous requests, has finally been published for review. It continues the Party’s trend toward top-down leadership. It allows Party officers to exclude the public from all Party meetings except Central Committee meetings, empowers Legislative District organizations at the expense of County Parties, and, by allowing the appointment of Precinct Committee people from anywhere in a County or Legislative District, opens the door for narrow demographic groups or cliques to more easily dominate the ideological and strategic direction of a County Party or Legislative District. As an example of this arbitrariness, in Minnehaha County, where a small group has already imposed this open appointment policy, the current Party Chair arbitrarily cancelled (not postponed, but cancelled) a previously scheduled Central Committee meeting at which, among other things, the proposed constitutional changes were scheduled for local discussion.

Read it all here.

Ooo….  So the leadership of the Sioux Falls Drinking Liberally group is telling tales of Dem Party leadership… “Despite the poor showing by the Democratic Party in 2014, its leadership and staff tolerated no self-examination and allocated no time for reflection at its post-election meeting last December. Instead they applauded everyone’s efforts ad nauseam and retreated to executive session to allocate election bonuses, pay raises, and interim consulting contracts to its staff….”

That’s actually great news going into this years’s coming election season, and a good indication that the South Dakota Democrat ‘formula for success’ that they’ve used for the past two cycles will continue to be used.

Of course, that means complete dominance for my party, but I’m not complaining.

But did they actually award election bonuses for the past election? What was the benchmark for these bonuses? Showing up? Sobriety? Not committing suicide in despair? Achieving 20% in elections?  Claiming that bonuses were paid last year is pretty remarkable, as in most political elections where bonuses are paid, it’s actually based on winning.

Since in no way did Dems win anything last year, the proposition of anyone receiving a bonus is downright shocking, not to mention the accusations of favoritism and self-dealing! And apparently, even that particular writer in the state Democrat party’s rank and file thought so as well when he added “Some might describe this as corrupt given the active favoritism the Party leadership and its staff practiced in the election of new Party officers.”

Wow. As much as people might complain about Republicans, apparently in South Dakota, the alternative is far, far worse. As noted by the party’s own members.

I was just passed a note that South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley will be attending the South Dakota Conservative Lunch this coming Thursday in Sioux Falls, at the at the Pizza Ranch located at
2717 West 41st Street.

For more information, please contact Chad Krier at (605) 370-2778.

Statement From Gov. Daugaard On Federal Transportation Bill

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard issued the following statement today in response to the passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act:

“I am pleased that Congress has passed the FAST Act, which will provide five years of funding certainty for our state transportation system. In January of this year I provided written testimony to the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the need for a long-term, fully funded federal highway bill. I underscored the importance of providing flexibility to the states in the program, while also advocating for a large portion of the funding to be dedicated to the program formula, which benefits rural states like South Dakota.

“I sincerely thank Sen. Thune, Sen. Rounds and Rep. Noem for their efforts on this important piece of legislation. It will benefit South Dakota and our nation’s roadways well into the future.”

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Noem Introduces Bi-Partisan Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) today introduced the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that domestically-produced biodiesel be given a $1-per-gallon tax credit through the end of 2016.

“Today, one-third of petroleum used in the United States is imported from foreign countries and most of it is used to fuel our vehicles,” said Rep. Noem. “Especially with conflicts arising in energy-rich areas of our world, the need to decrease our reliance on foreign fuels grows every single day. A commitment to renewable fuels, like biodiesel which can be grown right here in America, is critical as we look to improve our security by becoming more energy independent. By putting our support behind homegrown fuels, we are taking strides toward increased security while also enabling states like South Dakota to fuel our nation.”

“To fuel our future and improve our air quality, we need to invest in alternative fuel sources. This bill supports that goal and also promotes domestic industry. This will help us take things like food waste and turn it into usable fuel. And biodiesel reduces emissions to the tune of 16 million metric tons per year,” Pascrell said. “That’s like taking 3.6 million cars off the roads every year. In North Jersey’s rush-hour traffic, we call that a ‘no-brainer’. This is a smart incentive and a smart investment in domestic biodiesel.”

The biodiesel tax credit expired on December 31, 2014. The Noem-Pascrell legislation would extend the credit retroactively for 2015 as well as fully renew and reform it for 2016.

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Thune Statement on Passage of Bipartisan, Five-Year Transportation Bill

 “Passing a bipartisan, multi-year transportation bill is a big win for America, especially for states like South Dakota that depend on a reliable and effective transportation system.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the five-year Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act conference report. The FAST Act contains several Thune-led transportation and safety initiatives that benefit South Dakota, including provisions that were included in the Senate’s multi-year transportation bill that passed earlier this summer. Following a 359-65 vote in the House of Representatives, the Senate approved the measure by a vote of 83-16. The bill will now be sent to the president for his signature.

“Passing a bipartisan, multi-year transportation bill is a big win for America, especially for states like South Dakota that depend on a reliable and effective transportation system,” said Thune. “This bill, which will soon reverse the trend of passing one short-term patch after another, will end uncertainty for our transportation system and make important investments in infrastructure projects in our state and around the country. These necessary investments will spur much-needed job creation and sustained economic growth in communities across our region.

“I am proud of the work the Commerce Committee contributed to this effort and was humbled to have been selected to serve on the conference committee that negotiated the final version of this bill that is now headed to President Obama for his signature. The Republican-led Senate has worked hard this year to pass meaningful legislation that helps our economy and puts America in a better, more competitive position. The FAST Act is one more legislative achievement we can add to that list.”

Last month, Thune was named to the highway bill conference committee, which ensured South Dakota’s interests would be represented at the negotiating table.

FAST Act highlights:

• Increased highway investment levels:South Dakota is estimated to receive a $133 million increase in overall highway spending over the next five years. South Dakota’s apportioned highway funding will grow from $272 million in 2015 to an estimated $286 million in 2016 – and ultimately $312 million in 2020.

• Increased transit investment levels:Funding for transit in South Dakota will grow from $15.5 million in 2015 to an estimated $16.6 million in 2016, and approximately $17.8 million in 2020.

• Increased tribal transportation investment levels: The existing Tribal Transportation Program that addresses tribal road and bridge infrastructure needs will be funded at $465 million in 2016, an increase of $15 million from current levels, and will grow to $505 million in 2020.

• Covered Farm Vehicles: Protects states from losing federal funding for granting additional regulatory relief to specially designated farm vehicles and drivers.

• Agriculture hours of service (HOS) relief: Provides HOS relief for truck drivers transporting bees or livestock by making permanent the temporary rest break flexibility option.

• Construction HOS relief: Drivers transporting construction materials will have a larger radius they can operate in before additional paperwork requirements, including logging and hours of service rules, apply.

• Custom harvesters relief: Allows states to waive special hazmat licenses for custom harvesters operating diesel tanks (less than 1,000 gallons).

• Freight formula program: Creates a freight formula funding program in which South Dakota would receive over $8 million annually.

• Port metrics: Requires the Department of Transportation to issue yearly reports on port metrics allowing for more transparency and better planning to those that utilize our nation’s ports for import or export.

• Dedicated funding for states without passenger rail: Adds freight rail eligibility to passenger rail grant programs, requires a 25 percent rural set-aside, and guarantees to states like South Dakota, which have no passenger rail, no less than 1.3 percent of appropriated funds from the programs. The total amount will depend on appropriations; if the program is fully funded, it dedicates to South Dakota no less than $3 million per year.

• 24-7 sobriety: Rewards states for providing a 24-7 sobriety program, which started in South Dakota, by creating a new incentive grant under 23 USC 405 for states with a 24-7 sobriety program and by amending the penalty transfer section of 23 USC 164 to allow states to qualify for meeting the repeat intoxicated driver law with a 24-7 sobriety program.

• Testing of electronically-controlled pneumatic brakes: Requires a National Academies test on a new rail braking technology for unit trains carrying flammable liquids to ensure it would deliver the intended results and would not lead to network slowdowns.

For a list of FAST Act provisions that benefit South Dakota, click here, and for a summary of the Commerce Committee’s role in over half of the 1,300-page legislative measure, click here.

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Rounds: Long-Term Highway Bill Brings Certainty to Transportation Projects, Restores Crop Insurance Cut
South Dakota to Receive $1.6 Billion in Transportation Funding

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the final Conference Report for the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, bipartisan legislation to fund America’s highway and transit programs for five years. The FAST Act allocates approximately $1.6 billion for South Dakota transportation projects over the next five years. It now heads to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law.

“A healthy economy is dependent on a strong, safe and vibrant transportation system that allows us to move people and goods with ease,” said Rounds. “Under the FAST Act, South Dakota will receive approximately $1.6 billion in transportation funding to update, repair and modernize important infrastructure in our state. While not perfect, this legislation spares rural America from damaging crop insurance cuts and strengthens lending for community banks, in addition to authorizing important road and infrastructure projects.”

“The FAST Act also provides long-term certainty and ends the costly, ineffective practice of short-term highway bill extensions. Over the last 10 years, Congress has passed 36 short-term extensions, frustrating contractors and state and local governments who have been unable to adequately plan for future projects. Finally, they will be able to implement a long-term, strategic plan to restore, repair and update our roads and bridges.”

The FAST Act:

• Authorizes and pays for five years of highway construction.
• Marks the first time in 10 years a long-term highway bill will be enacted.
• Prior to now, highway funding had been authorized through 36 temporary, short-term patches.

Other important provisions in the FAST Act:

• Stops Harmful Crop Insurance Cuts: Repeals the misguided crop insurance cut that was included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.

o   Rounds has been working to get rid of the $3 billion cut to the crop insurance program since it was announced it would be included in the Act. Prior to voting on the Act, House and Senate Leaders publicly offered to help restore these cuts, which is why Senator Rounds voted for it. Last week, he wrote to House and Senate leaders reinforcing his commitment to restoring the cut.

• Ends Regulatory Burden on Mortgage Loans: Incorporates the Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities Act (HELP Rural Communities Act), co-sponsored by Rounds, which gives individuals in rural areas mistakenly labelled as “not rural” the right to petition the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the area to be properly reclassified as “rural.” This relieves local community banks and credit unions from burdensome regulations that unfairly limit their ability to lend and allows residents greater access to mortgage loans.

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Noem Helps Drive Long-Term Highway Bill through the House

First long-term highway bill since 2005
receives final approval in the House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Kristi Noem today helped the U.S. House of Representatives move forward the first long-term highway bill since 2005. The bipartisan Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is a fully funded, five-year highway bill aimed at improving the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. With House approval of the conference agreement, the legislation will move to the Senate before heading to the President, who is expected to sign the bill.

“South Dakota has 80,000 miles of highways, roads, and streets. We have about 6,000 bridges and thousands of miles of railways. Our farmers, our businesses, our families depend on the safety and reliability of this infrastructure,” said Rep. Noem. “Today’s legislation is going to give our state and local governments the certainty they need to plan and conduct necessary maintenance on this intricate network of roads, bridges and railways. It’s going to give our local teams more flexibility to address their unique transportation priorities as well. In the end, I’m hopeful this will be a big win for all of South Dakota, helping to fuel continued economic opportunity and greater safety for our families and communities.”

The fully funded FAST Act increases highway spending by 15 percent and transit spending by 18 percent over five years, meaning South Dakota would receive $133 million more than it would have under current funding levels. Additionally, the bill creates an incentive grant for states with 24-7 sobriety programs for drunk drivers and removes a requirement that asked states to collect excessive data on unpaved and gravel roads – both are important priorities for South Dakota.

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