Gov. Rhoden and Colleagues Thank President Trump
For Supporting Senate’s Amendment to the House Budget Resolution

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden and 21 fellow Republican governors wrote President Donald Trump to express their gratitude for his support of the Senate’s amendment to the House Budget Resolution. You can find the letter here.

“We are on your side in supporting the Senate’s amendment to the House budget resolution because we know that failure cannot be an option,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “Congress must deliver to your desk a reconciliation bill that reinforces your executive actions and codifies in permanent law policies to secure the border, unleash American energy, restore military supremacy, fight wasteful spending, prevent a debilitating tax hike on working class Americans, and prevent a debt default.”

The Governors also thanked President Trump for the myriad of strong decisions he has already made on behalf of the American people.

“Your promises to reinstitute fiscal sanity, fight against the weaponization of the justice system, secure our borders, and achieve energy dominance are unmatched. As we have all seen, promises made, promises kept,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “Again, we thank you for supporting this budget so Congress can start putting pen to paper on the one, big, beautiful bill that will Make America Great Again.”

The budget resolution has passed both chambers and now awaits final consideration in the United States House of Representatives.

Governor Rhoden was joined in signing the letter by Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

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If you read my post from yesterday regarding District 1 State Representative Chris Reder, asking where in South Dakota he supposedly lives, the 15 second version is that there are questions about where he actually lives, given that he has sold that property, despite his voter registration being tied to that address. And that there is information which indicates that he has a new address in Minnesota.

Hot off the press, a reader provided a link to the property tax records for his new property. And again – very interesting:

Single Family – Owner Occupied.  Now, that’s for occupancy purposes, and I’m not familiar with Minnesota Real Estate law, so I can’t speak as to whether there was an affidavit filed noting that he’s living there for a purpose of reduced taxes.

BUT – I do note that the date of sale was 7/7/23. Long before Rep. Reder ran for the South Dakota House, and information that would have been nice to know that he appeared to have a residence in Minnesota at the time he was a candidate for office, versus the barn and land which he has listed as his voting residence.

Of course, you can find the link to find out more about Representative Reder’s Minnesota home here, where you can read for yourself.

Medicare Advantage is a Lifeline for South Dakota Seniors
By Lori Jorenby

Seniors across South Dakota rely on Medicare Advantage as an essential resource for their health and well-being. Medicare Advantage is more than just an insurance plan for them – it’s a critical program that fosters independence, provides comprehensive care, and ensures financial security for those who need it most.

Unlike traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage offers a range of benefits that make health care more accessible while still bringing costs down. This comprehensive coverage – from appointments with top-tier doctors to robust prescription drug benefits – ensures that enrollees receive care without facing overwhelming expenses. Further, the program’s focus on preventive measures and care coordination helps keep individuals healthy, reducing medical emergencies and the need for costly hospitalizations. In a state like South Dakota, where access can be limited, Medicare Advantage provides essential services like telehealth and transportation assistance, ensuring that care is never out of reach.

Medicare Advantage serves not only seniors, but people with disabilities as well. By offering them customized care solutions, the program helps pave the way for their long-term health and independence. Medicare Advantage also helps enrollees stretch their incomes further, protecting them from the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses. Without it, many would struggle to afford the care they need in the immediate or long-term future.

Unfortunately, recent funding reductions have already impacted seniors leading to higher premiums and fewer plan options. With the rising cost of living, the last thing our communities need is further cuts to a program that has proven to be effective and fiscally responsible. Medicare Advantage isn’t just good health care policy – it’s smart budgeting too. By emphasizing preventive care and reducing unnecessary hospital visits, the program saves taxpayer dollars while still improving health outcomes.

From my personal experiences, I’ve seen how Medicare Advantage delivers undeniable successes for South Dakotans. That’s why I urge South Dakota’s leaders in Washington – Senators John Thune, Mike Rounds, and Representative Dusty Johnson – to defend and strengthen it. Now is the time to ensure the program remains a stable resource so that the thousands of South Dakotans who rely on it, including seniors, people with disabilities, and their families, continue to receive the care they deserve.

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Lori Joreby is a retired nurse who continues to reside on her family farm and live independently while being in her 80s. She has seen first-hand the role Medicare Advantage has taken to ensure her medical and independent living remains intact.

With Julian Beaudion filing paperwork to start a committee to run against Mike Rounds, I did a check for anyone else. And there was another Democrat who has filed for office that slipped by me:

A Scott Schlagel of Dell Rapids filed a Statement of Candidacy to run as a Democrat for Congress back on March 12th.

Apparently he is a former correctional officer at the State Pen. Beyond that we don’t really know a thing. So, we’ll see.

Not taking this as a serious effort at this point.

Thune: Democrats Distract While Republicans Act

 “[T]he resolution we passed this weekend – and, I might say, over the objections of my Democrat colleagues, who are apparently perfectly okay with allowing taxes to rise for working families – was a major step forward on delivering on our agenda, and I’m looking forward to arriving at a final bill.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Click here to watch the video.

Gov. Rhoden Visits Standing Rock Sioux Tribe alongside ND Gov. Armstrong

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden visited the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on his Open for Opportunity Tour. He was joined on the visit by North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong. This is the first time in over a decade that both the South Dakota and North Dakota Governors were on the Standing Rock Reservation simultaneously.

“My job is to be governor for all South Dakotans, including our Native American people. We are at our strongest when we work together for our people,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I am grateful to Chairwoman Alkire and the tribal council leaders for hosting me today. And I am grateful to Governor Armstrong and excited about how we can work together to benefit the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. This meeting was a great step towards rebuilding trust, and I look forward to many more to come.”

Governors Rhoden and Armstrong met with Standing Rock’s Chairwoman and tribal council leaders. They discussed several key topics, including education, economic development, water permits, and the effects of federal funding.

“Collaboration with our tribal nations is key to North Dakota’s success, and with our neighbors in South Dakota we share a commitment to strengthening government-to-government partnerships and relationships,” said North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong. “We appreciate Chairwoman Alkire, Gov. Rhoden, and the Tribal Council for today’s meaningful engagement and discussion about ways we can work together for the prosperity of all our citizens.”

“It was our honor to host these gentlemen alongside state legislators to discuss various issues that the Tribe faces,” said Standing Rock Chairwoman Janet Alkire. “Though there are many things that we don’t agree upon, being able to come to the table with a good heart and openness to compromise, we can work together in diplomacy to achieve success, provide opportunities to those we serve, and build lasting relationships with our neighbors, the state governments of North and South Dakota.”

The governors also toured a few locations on the reservation and stopped by the local school district.

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South Dakota Democrat Julian Beaudion filed paperwork this afternoon to take on incumbent Republican US Senator Mike Rounds in the US Senate race, potentially beginning an 18-month campaign battle for the highest office on the 2026 ticket against the two-term Senator and two-term Governor:

Julian for US Senate by Pat Powers on Scribd

Oddly, Beaudion participated in a Press Conference earlier today with South Dakota Democrats, but nothing was said about his potential entry into the race.

A bio for Beaudion notes:

“Julian Beaudion is the co-founder and executive director of The Hub SD, a nonprofit that shares sustainable business and professional resources to support the success of entrepreneurs and business professionals from underrepresented communities

Julian is also the current executive director of the South Dakota African American History Museum, vice president of the local NAACP chapter, and the president of Juneteenth Sioux Falls. Julian spent over a decade as a South Dakota law enforcement officer.”

Read the entire bio here.

Beaudion was also selected as the Biden nominee to be the U.S. Marshal for the Territory of South Dakota, but did not go through the Senate confirmation process.

Game on.

This is not your dad’s Republican Party. Hardly your grandfather’s Republican Party.  Because it looks like the new South Dakota Republican Party is looking more and more like Chairman Jim Eschenbaum’s old Democrat Party.

Because for the first time in nearly 50 years, the sitting Chairman of the party joined with Democrats to take a shot at our State’s All-Republican delegation in Washington, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune:

“The South Dakota Democratic Party announced on Monday that it will conduct public town halls in four South Dakota cities “in the absence of South Dakota’s Republican senators and congressman.”

Afterward, state Republican Party Chairman Jim Eschenbaum told South Dakota Searchlight by phone that he’s also heard complaints about the congressional delegation’s accessibility.

“Even some Republicans have been saying that,” Eschenbaum said.

Read the entire story here.

When was the last time a sitting chair of the SDGOP took a shot at a sitting SDGOP member of our delegation in Washington?  The last I’m aware of was way back in 1979:

That was in September of 1979, in relation to Sen. Larry Pressler making a bid for the Presidency. It was more of a political campaign as opposed to being in connection with the service he was giving South Dakotans at the time. About 46 years ago.

Yet 50 years later, we have State GOP Chairman Jim Eschenbaum, a 32 year Democrat now in charge of the Republican Party, taking his swings at Senators Thune and Rounds and Congressman Dusty Johnson right alongside the state Democrat party.

Somebody needs to throw this guy out.

South Dakota Democrats had a presser this AM that they live-streamed to make a big announcement:

So you don’t have to try to get the time back in your life, I took one for the team, as Democrat activist & former Minnehaha Dem chair Nikki Gronli droned on for far too long (8-10 min?) complaining about Trump and Musk, and Trump again until she got to the damn point: She and Julian Beaudoin are apparently hosting listening meetings across the state.

And once they are done? They are going to write a report and give it to our Congressional delegation.   I’m sure it will be a strongly worded report. And there might be bullet points in it. I would also expect a chart and that they use the best comb binding they can find, unless it’s a long report. Then they will put it in a binder.

This was worth a press conference?  I think they could have covered that in a press release.  And not necessarily a long one.

Certainly, not as long as it took them to get to the point.

After nearly a week of hot criticism over their demands that the National Guard be obligated to “shoot down these poison pushing planes,” I notice today that the South Dakota Chem Trail kooks have backed down slightly, and are now only calling for the National Guard to take “military action.”

So much for “doubling down” as these goofballs were pretending to claim they intended to do.

Either way, just another day in the decaying state of South Dakota politics.