Thune Bill Would Improve Access, Availability of Rural Health Care

@SoDakCampaigns

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  John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressThune Bill Would Improve Access, Availability of Rural Health Care

“This common-sense bill would support and improve the health care services that skilled nursing facilities can provide to our rural communities by allowing them access to much-needed funds that are currently out of reach.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced S. 1916, the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015, a bill that would amend the Communications Act to permit skilled nursing facilities (SNF) to apply for support from the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Rural Health Care Program (RHCP). The USF’s RHCP provides funding for telecommunications and broadband services used to provide health care in rural communities. The Communications Act specifies which types of health care providers are eligible to receive RHCP support, of which SNFs are currently not included. Thune serves as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the USF.

“For many South Dakotans, it is not as easy as jumping in the car and driving down to the local hospital for a checkup, which is why access to rural health care, including telemedicine, is such an important issue for South Dakota families,” said Thune. “This common-sense bill would support and improve the health care services that skilled nursing facilities can provide to our rural communities by allowing them access to much-needed funds that are currently out of reach. My legislation achieves this goal without raising the existing cap on the Universal Service Fund.”

When the FCC updated the RHCP and created the Healthcare Connect Fund in 2012, it proposed to implement a pilot program to examine funding SNFs. In January 2014, the FCC deferred implementation of the pilot program, and in June 2014, Thune sent a letter to the FCC urging it to resume implementation of the pilot program.

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (Good Sam), headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., currently operates hundreds of SNFs nationwide, most of which are in rural communities. Through Internet-based connections to its national headquarters, Good Sam allows rural patients to remotely connect with hospitals and physicians. The Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015 would help organizations like Good Sam provide better quality care for rural areas throughout the country.

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Argus on Hawks Campaign Roll out: It’s Amateur Hour.

@SoDakCampaigns

The Argus Leader’s 100 Eyes program is running right now, with the major topic of discussion the Argus staffers savaging Paula Hawks’ announcement for Congress.  Editor or Content Strategist, (or whatever they call him now) Patrick Lalley summed it up in three words, as noticed by Tony Reiss:

Lalley reiterated that statement later in the show, and continued noting “She wasn’t ready to be the candidate.”  “What’s the campaign about….?”

He let the word “Substandard” slip inadvertently, but it’s pretty accurate. And should continue to be for quite some time.

Hawks exhibits ignorance of important issues right out of the gate.

@SoDakCampaigns

From the Capitol Journal, Paula Hawks is already shooting her mouth off to the media without having the benefit of having her brain engaged:

“The basic thought for me is that South Dakotans deserve better representation, and Hawks_videothey deserve somebody who is going to listen to them and to hear what they have to say, and to act on that rather than answering to the party and the highest bidder,” Hawks told The Associated Press. “There’s a distinct population in South Dakota that doesn’t feel represented, and I know that I’m the person that will represent them well.”

and…

Hawks said that Noem’s bank account highlights that her priority has been fundraising, and “that has shown in the lack of solid legislation that she has brought to support South Dakota.”

Read that here.

Gee, where have I read something completely different to that assertion:

But the farm bill is different. This is an issue of critical importance to South Dakota, and the nation. And Noem is right at the heart of things.

She was a member of the House Agriculture Committee that passed a farm bill after months and months of increasingly intense negotiations.

And she’s a member of House leadership at a time when the decision about when or whether to bring that farm bill to the floor rests with House Speaker John Boehner.

Noem’s not just one of 435 on this.

If the farm bill passes, she can claim it as a legitimate triumph. If it goes down in this Congress’ increasingly typical dysfunction, she won’t be able to dodge the blame.

Read that here.  And…

On February 7, 2014, 2014 Farm Bill was enacted.  I was privileged to serve as a member of the Conference Committee that negotiated the agreement and gave South Dakota a voice throughout the negotiations.

The USDA now has the responsibility to implement the legislation, but I am monitoring the process closely.

You can review the bill in its entirety here or check out some highlights below:

  • Saves More than $20 Billion.  The Farm Bill will reduce spending by more than $20 billion.  The savings were found through a series of reforms throughout the Farm Bill, including the elimination of direct payments and reforms to the nutrition program that help uphold the program’s integrity while saving around $8 billion.

  • Strengthens Livestock Disaster Program.  The Conference Committee based the Livestock Disaster Program off the House’s language, which was authored by Rep. Noem and offers a higher reimbursement rate than the Senate version did.  As a result, the program would reimburse producers up to 75% of the fair market value.  Additionally, the program will be retroactive for 2012 and 2013 and extend through the life of the Farm Bill.  Finally, the legislation raises the cap to $125,000 for a single producer and $250,000 for a married couple.

  • Gives Additional Tools to Combat Pine Beetle Crisis.  As urged by Rep. Noem, the agreement helps get boots on the ground faster for pine beetle mitigation efforts.  It does this by streamlining lengthy environmental red-tape on insect and disease infested areas of forests throughout the United States at the request of a state’s Governor. It also includes a categorical exclusion of 3,000 acres.  In November 2013, Rep. Noem hosted U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell in the Black Hills to show him the damage.  While there, he stated that we need to start dealing with thousands of acres rather than hundreds.  This Farm Bill allows for that.

  • Reauthorizes the Sun Grant Initiative.  The Farm Bill maintains the Sun Grant Initiative, which has created a network of land-grant universities, including South Dakota State University, that work together to further establish a biobased renewable energy economy.

  • Establishes an Office of Tribal Relations in the USDA.  The legislation permanently establishes an Office of Tribal Relations within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help improve communication between the USDA and Tribal nations.  Rep. Noem originally authored the provision in the House version of the bill.

  • Renew PILT Funds.  The legislation renews funding for Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT), helping states fix roads, hire teachers, pay police officers and provide other vital services.  This is especially important to rural communities throughout South Dakota.

  • Includes Noem’s Protect Our Prairies Language for Certain States.  The Farm Bill includes the Protect Our Prairies Act, which was written by Rep. Noem.  The legislation encourages conservation of native sod and grassland by decreasing crop insurance support for the first four years after the sod/grassland is broken.  This provision only applies in South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa.

Read that here.

If Paula Hawks can’t recognize that the Farm Bill was important, and that Congresswoman Noem played a critical role in this legislation, which was vitally important to SOUTH DAKOTA and OUR NATION, then she needs to go back to school, and study South Dakota.  Because her education on the topic of what’s important to South Dakotans is woefully inadequate.

And that distinct population who feels under-represented? It must consist exclusively of Democrat Party insiders. As evidenced by Noem’s 30 point victory over her last opponent.

South Dakota Republican Party Highlights Hawks’ Support for State Income Tax

Pat Powers

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South Dakota Republican Party Highlights Hawks’ Support for State Income Tax

Pierre – The South Dakota Republican Party today issued the following statement in response to Paula Hawks’ candidacy for the U.S. House:

“Paula Hawks is best known for being the leading advocate for the creation of a state income tax that would dramatically raise taxes on all South Dakotans and we welcome her to the race,” said South Dakota Republican Chairwoman Pam Roberts.

Background: Watch the video available at the Argus Leader website for more on Hawks’ support for a massive tax increase: http://archive.argusleader.com/article/20130104/VOICES/301040018/School-funding-taxes-hot-topics

Questioner: “Are you in favor of an (state) income tax?”

Hawks: “Um, yeah. …”

Questioner: “Do you see a downside to an income tax?

Hawks: “It’s extremely unpopular. The unfortunate part of that is it’s unpopular because of a lack of understanding how that would affect people differently than taxes now.”

I can tell SD Dems couldn’t be more excited to have a congressional candidate…

@SoDakCampaigns

dems_excited I see South Dakota Democrats can barely contain themselves that they have a candidate for Congress.

Really, this rollout couldn’t have been more awful if they’d planned for it not to be noticed.

The flipside of the coin is that I almost hate to write about how bad it is. As every time I do, it increases the campaign’s media presence exponentially.

The worst campaign roll-out in state history continues…. Hawks finally gets around to sort-of announcing it.

@SoDakCampaigns

From my e-mail, it looks like Paula Hawks is getting around to announcing what we have been chronicling for a while, as she’s been stumbling around trying to figure out how to make a splash:

From: “Paula Hawks” <info@hawksforhouse.com>
Date: August 3, 2015 at 9:55:46 AM CDT
To:
Subject: I’m running for U.S. House!
Reply-To: info@hawksforhouse.com

Friend,

I am running to represent South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives.


Take a moment and watch our first video to hear why I am getting into this race.

South Dakota needs a Representative  who will work for them each and everyday in Washington. A representative who fights for the interests of everyday citizens.

We have a way of life worth fighting for here in South Dakota, but the fight won’t be easy.  But when machinery was broken on our family farm, my dad taught me that it was worth trying to fix before scrapping it all together. It’s time to restore real opportunity in America – it’s time to make government work all of us, not just for some of us.

Please join me to bring opportunity and fairness to the middle class.

Paula Hawks

And that’s it.  Really?

I think that could actually count as being worse than Corinna Robinson’s announcement.

An e-mail sent around to sort-of supporters is her big splash? Even the Dem Blogs aren’t trumpeting this out there. They had more fanfare for Rick Weiland’s more interesting brother when he was talking about taking on Stephanie Herseth.

Talk about a non-event.  I especially like the blank web site home page that visitors are now greeted with, with a blank twitter feed:

Untitled-1How could anyone resist an empty page?   Better get ready to hold the rushing crowds back….

**Update**– As they finally get around to it after being out there a week, the dems blogs are starting to poke at her boring, somnambulistic announcement:

Now, if Hawks wants people to listen to that message, let’s have a minor musical critique: the background music in this video sounds more like Erik Satie or a lullaby than campaign launch. Call it style, but I need a little more thunder in my campaign openings. Democrats won’t win back Congress playing lullabies.

Read it here.

And a thought for the media. If you do get around to waking up after watching her video, why not take her off-script, and ask what this “favorite pro-choice candidate of NARAL’s” thinks about the effort in Washington to de-fund planned parenthood?

Governor’s Office Still Accepting District 9 Nominations

Pat Powers

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Governor’s Office Still Accepting District 9 Nominations 

DaugaardPIERRE, S.D. – The Governor’s Office is still seeking nominations from the public to fill Rep. Steve Hickey’s legislative seat in District 9.

District 9 includes northwestern Minnehaha County, including the Hartford, Humboldt, Crooks and the Wall Lake area. The district also includes an area in north and northwestern Sioux Falls, encompassing Southeast Technical Institute, Hayward Elementary School and the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. A map of the district is available on the LRC website at legis.sd.gov/img/Legislative_Districts/09.pdf.

Those wishing to be considered for the appointment, or to offer nominations, should contact Grace Kessler in the Office of the Governor at 605-773-3661. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current address, telephone number and relevant background information.

Hickey announced last month he would be vacating his legislative seat to pursue a postgraduate opportunity. Hickey’s resignation is effective Sept. 1, 2015.

Gov. Daugaard expects to name an appointee this fall.

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US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column: Multi-Year Highway Bill an Investment in Our Roads and Bridges

@SoDakCampaigns

thuneheadernew John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressMulti-Year Highway Bill an Investment in Our Roads and Bridges
By Senator John Thune

With one million bikers expected to take to the highways for the 75th annual Sturgis motorcycle rally, and as tourist season remains well underway, there is no better time to stress the need for safe, reliable roads and bridges in South Dakota and across America.

Our transportation infrastructure keeps our economy and our nation moving. That is why I am pleased the U.S. Senate recently passed a multi-year highway bill by a vote of 65-34 that would fund federal highway and infrastructure projects for three years. The Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act provides certainty to states across the country, does not increase the gas tax, and would be the longest highway funding measure in over a decade.

For too long, transportation funding has been subjected to one short-term extension after another – 34 short-term extensions since 2009 – that leaves those responsible for our nation’s transportation system without the certainty and predictability they need to maintain and improve the safety of our roads, bridges, and highways.

If Congress fails to provide state and local governments with this necessary certainty, they are hamstrung when it comes to authorizing certain projects or making long-term plans for transportation infrastructure. Such a scenario could mean that essential construction projects get deferred, necessary repairs might not get made, and jobs that depend on transportation are put in jeopardy.

The DRIVE Act answers the call for the type of long-term certainty state and local governments need. This legislation signals an important commitment to safe, quality highways and bridges in South Dakota that will help support our economy and ensure important industries such as tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing continue to thrive.

South Dakota agriculture producers and businesses rely on our interstate highway system to distribute their goods to stores across the United States and around the world. All of us depend on our nation’s roads and bridges to get from place to place every day – especially in a state like South Dakota where the distance between towns is often measured in hours.

This multi-year highway bill is another major legislative achievement for the Republican-led Senate and the result of months of hard work by multiple Senate committees, including the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which I chair. Republicans and Democrats alike had their voices heard during this process, and the final product is stronger because of it. It is critical the House and Senate finish a long-term highway bill in the coming months.

As this year’s rally approaches, I hope your travels throughout the state are safe. Motorcycles will be everywhere over the next few weeks, so remember to look twice and save a life.

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US Senator Mike Rounds’ Weekly Column: No Deal is Better Than a Bad Deal

@SoDakCampaigns

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 No Deal is Better Than a Bad Deal
By Senator Mike Rounds
July 31, 2015

MikeRounds official SenateSeveral weeks ago, President Obama submitted part of the nuclear agreement with Iran to Congress for review. The U.S. negotiators, including Secretary of State John Kerry, have not even seen the details of the side agreements reached between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran. I have been closely examining the proposal and asking important questions regarding specific details. Unfortunately, the more I learn about the President’s agreement, the more concerned I am about the risks it poses to our long-term national security.

Earlier this year, President Obama claimed that no deal with Iran regarding their nuclear program would be better than a bad deal, and I couldn’t agree more. Yet from what we know so far, it appears to be a very bad deal that not only fails to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, it emboldens them through tens of billions of dollars in sanctions relief, a phased out lifting of United Nations arms and missile embargoes and allows them to test more advanced centrifuges after 10 years.

I recently had an opportunity to question administration officials about the deal during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. During that hearing, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter confirmed to me that under this deal, he could not rule out Iran acquiring an intercontinental ballistic missile in ten years. This means that Iran would have the capability of producing a weapon that could reach U.S. soil in a decade. These troubling comments come after General Paul Selva, the President’s nominee to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told me during a separate hearing that Iran remains the leading state sponsor of terrorism, and sanctions relief agreed to in the nuclear deal could be used by Iran to continue sponsoring terrorism.

I’m concerned that this deal puts too much trust in Iran – a country that has violated more than 20 international agreements in the past, continues to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism and currently has imprisoned four U.S. citizens.

Congress is currently reviewing the deal and will likely vote on a resolution of disapproval in mid-September. I’ve said all along that any deal with Iran must prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon, and it appears the President’s proposed deal fails to accomplish that goal. In essence, this agreement not only releases tens of billions of dollars in resources to Iran for use in terror activities, it also authorizes the relaxation of the arms embargo and the limitations on Iran’s ability to get an intercontinental ballistic missile while legally allowing them access to advance nuclear capabilities at the end of a ten year period. That is the end result, even if they do not cheat in the meantime.

A nuclear Iran will increase the level of unrest in an already-unstable Middle East, threaten many of our allies and put U.S. lives at risk. The president was correct when he said that “no deal is better than a bad deal” with Iran. It’s time for him to realize what is in front of him.

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