Thune files cloture on Tuberville’s Protection Of Women And Girls In Sports Act. Sets up a vote for next week

— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) February 27, 2025

Gov. Rhoden Announces Project Prison Reset

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced Project Prison Reset, a working group that will determine the best path forward for a new prison. Project Prison Reset is made possible through Executive Order 2025-01.

“We’ve received the message that the current prison plan does not have buy-in this legislative session. We’ve also heard agreement from pretty much everyone that we need a new prison,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This working group is our ‘reset’ button. Everything that came before is in the rearview mirror. From now on, we’re looking forward.”

The working group will meet every four weeks beginning on April 2, 2025. During that time, members will answer three questions:

• Whether we need a new prison – a clear “yes;”
• How big it should be; and
• Where it should go.

Recommendations made by this working group will be presented at a Special Session on July 22, 2025. Governor Rhoden also promised to hire a consultant to make sure the working group is working from the same set of facts on the need for a new prison.

Project Prison Reset will include the following eight House members, seven Senators, and six or seven outside individuals:

• The House members will be Speaker Hansen, Majority Leader Odenbach, Speaker Pro Tempore Lems, Tim Reisch, Greg Jamison, Brian Mulder, Jack Kolbeck, and Erin Healy;
• The Senators will be President Pro Tempore Karr, Majority Leader Mehlhaff, Ernie Otten, Mark Lapka, Steve Kolbeck, Joy Hohn, and Jamie Smith; and
• The outside individuals will include Lt. Governor Venhuizen, who will chair the group; a judge; a behavioral health specialist; a Chief of Police; a Sheriff; a State’s Attorney; and Attorney General Jackley.

You can find a picture of Governor Rhoden announcing Project Prison Reset here.

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Saw this on a press release that went out yesterday from the SD Free-dumb caucus. While Rep. Aaron Aylward had been in charge of the group since it’s inception, it appears that the awful human being and State Representative Phil Jensen is now being touted as Chairman of the group:

 

This is the same Phil Jensen who was stripped of his House Education Committee vice-chairmanship after attacking the Huron School District, among other things.

Senator “California” Carley rode again yesterday with some odd confluence between House Bill 1221, an act to provide funding for organizations that assist victims of domestic violence and Senate Bill 156, a measure to increase the minimum age for marriage.

So, if you remember back on February 18th, the marriage minimum bill failed in the senate, and KELOland reported that California Carley expressed that sex between an adult and a minor is better if the two are married than if they are not, as Carley claimed to be “appalled at the idea of predators and abusers taking some of our young daughters and forcing them into a life of servitude and abuse.”

Okay.

Yesterday, a bill was in front of House Joint Appropriations  – House Bill 1221 – which would help restore funds to organizations that help :

• Children who have been abused or neglected;
• Victims of domestic violence;
• Victims of sexual assault;
• Victims of commercial sexual exploitation; or
• Victims of human trafficking.

Literally, victims of domestic abuse –  which include those who were trapped in marriages because they were child brides and need help for the various problems that child brides suffer – came to the state because their federal funding is failing.  Despite California Carley claiming 9-10 days ago that he was “appalled at the idea of predators and abusers taking some of our young daughters and forcing them into a life of servitude and abuse.”  he was one of only three votes against the measure.

Despite his earlier claims, the reality is that “California” Carley voted against supporting victims of domestic violence, rape and abuse & human trafficking after previously saying he was appalled at the idea of young girls being victims of predators.

It’s like noises come out of his mouth, but different actions occur when it comes time to actually vote.

Despite Carley’s efforts, the bill passed committee on a vote of 15-3.  (Note – Sen. Taffy Howard and Rep. Sjaarda also voted against victims of sexual assault & human trafficking)

Senate Republicans confirmed more Trump cabinet nominees today, as they are on track to approve nominees at a pace faster than the last 3 administrations:

The Senate voted to confirm two of President Donald Trump’s nominees in a bipartisan fashion Tuesday and Wednesday.

Senators voted 66 to 28 to clear Daniel Driscoll’s nomination to serve as the president’s Army secretary Tuesday. The upper chamber also confirmed Jamieson Greer to serve as the president’s top trade negotiator in a vote of 56 to 43 Wednesday afternoon.

and..

“He spent three years of the previous Trump administration serving as chief of staff to then-U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer, who spoke highly of Mr. Greer’s work,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “He is, in short, very well prepared for this role.”

“President Biden’s trade representative was completely uninterested in working with Congress, so it is very encouraging to hear Mr. Greer’s commitment to communication and collaboration,” Thune added.

Read the entire story here.

House State Affairs Committee Approves Attorney General Jackley’s Government Accountability Legislation

PIERRE, S.D. – All four Government Accountability bills, proposed by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, were approved Wednesday by the House State Affairs Committee,  including three by unanimous consent.

“This legislation protects taxpayer money and those state employees who report improper governmental conduct and crime,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I appreciate the Legislators’ support to strengthen government accountability and restore public trust in our state government.”

 The four bills are:

• Senate Bill 60 which expands the access and investigatory authority of the State Auditor.
• Senate Bill 61 which modifies the authority of the Board of Internal Control.
• Senate Bill 62 which establishes mandatory reporting requirements related to improper government conduct and crime, and to provide a penalty.
• Senate Bill 63 which establishes protections for state employees who report improper governmental conduct and crime.

Senate Bills 60, 62, and 63 were passed unanimously and without changes. Senate Bill 61 was amended and then approved. All four bills now go to the House floor for future consideration. The four bills have already passed the Senate.

 -30-

Johnson Votes for Historic Spending Cuts

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to pass the House budget resolution, kicking off the reconciliation process for the House.

“Insolvency cannot be an option,” said Johnson. “I refuse to stand idly by while our government spends its way into oblivion. Cuts must be made to end systemic waste, fraud, and abuse. Now is the time to put America on the right path.”

What the bill allows the House to do:

• Enhance border security.
• Lock in current tax rates and child tax credit.
• Unleash American energy.
• Identify and make targeted cuts to reduce spending.

Background on House Concurrent Resolution 14:

• Requires at least $1.5 trillion in mandatory savings over 10 years.
• Provides up to $300 billion for border security and defense.
• Provides $4.5 trillion for the Ways and Means Committee to lock in taxes at the current rate.
  • According to the Budget Committee, if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires:
    • Average taxpayers would see a 22% tax hike.
    • 40 million families would see their household’s Child Tax Credit cut in half.
    • 91% of all taxpayers would see their guaranteed deduction slashed in half.
    • Two million family-owned farms would have their Death Tax Exemption cut in half.
    • 26 million small businesses would be hit with a 43.4% top tax rate increase.
    • Six million jobs will be lost.
    • A family of four making $80,610, the median income in the United States, would see a $1,695 tax increase.

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State Senator Arch Beal is the hero of that chamber tonight when sleazy lobbyist Anthony Miryzants was sticking his phone in the window of the caucus room trying to record it.

Except he made the mistake of doing it where Arch Beal could see it because Arch took command;

Arch was displeased. There were some harsh words. And there was some cane poking.

Arch is the hero of all the legislature right now! 25 people were apparently willing to testify saying Anthony has threatened them etc, my correspondent says she’s “not sure what the South Dakota legislature is more united on; our appreciation for veterans or hate for Anthony.”

If anybody’s interested I think they are taking orders for commemorative T-shirts:

From the private Facebook group “Aberdeen Raves and Rants”:

This has been running all morning with about 70-75% expressing NO.  Guessing the other 25% haven’t heard of him?

I get the feeling Aberdonians have an opinion on the whole Toby Doeden topic.

Johnson, Dingell Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act, to reauthorize and strengthen the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program provides grants to states and tribal governments to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily open their lands for public use while upholding private property rights. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Encouraging conservation and public access to land through a voluntary program promotes personal freedom and agency, rather than the government’s heavy hand,” said Johnson. “This program’s success will protect outdoor recreation traditions for future generations of South Dakotans.”

“Outdoor recreation like fishing and hunting have always been central to Michigan’s culture and heritage, and continuing to expand access to land for public use is important to continuing these rich traditions,” said Dingell. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act will expand outdoor recreation opportunities nationwide, improve access to the outdoors for all Americans, and bolster critical conservation efforts. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan, bicameral effort to help people get outside and enjoy Michigan’s natural beauty.”

A lack of access to land is a common barrier to participation in outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, angling, and wildlife viewing. The VPA-HIP seeks to address this challenge by expanding public access to land for recreation purposes. The bill increases the program’s funding from $50 million to $150 million over 5 years, from fiscal years 2025 through 2029. This investment would stimulate local economies by supporting jobs in the outdoor recreation economy, specifically in our rural communities. Funding from this program is also utilized to provide assistance to landowners for wildlife habitat improvement and enhancement programs.

The bill is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the American Sportfishing Association, Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, the National Deer Association, the National Wildlife Federation, and Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC).

“There are dozens of state programs throughout country that help open public hunting access on private lands, but one common thread is that VPA-HIP is the unsung hero that makes much of that access possible,” said Ariel Wiegard, Vice President of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “The economic returns for rural communities in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over, and increasing funding for the program is one of our top priorities in the next farm bill. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Representatives Dingell and Johnson and Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall for their leadership and support for this very successful program.”

“By reauthorizing and expanding the only federal program specifically designed to increase opportunities for hunters and anglers on private land, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act addresses the number one barrier to participation in our sporting traditions, lack of public access,” said Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Debbie Dingell and Dusty Johnson and Sens. Roger Marshall and Michael Bennet on legislation that would expand public recreation opportunities as well as enhance fish and wildlife habitat.”

Read bill text here.