The Argus Leader has a story today on how opposition to Senator Rohl’s Senate Bill 12 to close the loopholes on campaign finance seems to be related to how much legislators were entangled with the Dakota First Action PAC, the entity which was noted as having abused the system:

“I really didn’t hear why the bill was bad. I just heard that they felt it was punitive or punishing, and there’s nothing in this bill that’s punitive or punishing to anyone that’s done this in the past,” Rohl said.

and..

After the vote, however, Schaefbauer said she “just want(ed) the bill to die.” She later asserted the bill was “targeting” Dakota First Action.

Schaefbauer donated to Dakota First Action prior to the November election. According to the PAC’s pre-general campaign finance report, the Aberdeen politician gave $750 to the PAC as an individual contribution. Schaefbauer also sent a maximum donation of $4,000 through her candidate committee.

and..

Dakota First Action also offered mail and text-based campaign communication services worth several thousand dollars each for a number of the “no” voters, including Sens. Carley; Joy Hohn, R-Hartford; Kevin Jensen, R-Canton; Assistant Majority Leader Carl Perry of Aberdeen; and Tom Pischke, R-Dell Rapids.

Read the entire story here at the Argus Leader.

Good stuff!

And good information for voters to take a look at in consideration of who might be holding the purse strings for legislators.

From Amber Hulse/KOTA News:

From Twitter:

Under @LeaderJohnThune, the Senate is wasting no time confirming President Trump's nominees.

We're ahead of schedule and not slowing down. pic.twitter.com/3ERr3kE9p9

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) February 4, 2025

What happens when no one really wants to put their name on legislation? They give it to the new person.

Representative what’s-her-face from Mitchell… Nolz, I think.. who was living in Brookings at the time of her appointment as a candidate, has her name on legislation which seems a little over the top in not only trying to stamp out DEI programs, but seems to be the stuff that puts police departments under investigation for hiring practices, and put under federal consent orders. The bill notes in part:

(8) Except as required by federal law:

(a) Advance or adopt any policy or procedure designed to influence the composition of the law enforcement agency’s workforce on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or

Read that here.

Whaaat?  “Except as required by federal law?” That portion of the bill seems to be less about DEI practices, and more about inching towards an EEOC violation. And yes, there are still federal laws on hiring women and minorities.

I think we can agree that a DEI focus should not be the mission of a public agency with dedicated DEI staff. However, especially in key roles, such as law-enforcement, we should not be idiots who invite federal lawsuits against public agencies for violating federal hiring laws.

From session:

Senate Bill 192

Introduced by: Senator Smith
An Act to rename the Department of Corrections.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 1-15:

The term “Department of Corrections,” whenever it is used in this code, means “Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.” The code commission, in future supplements and revisions of the South Dakota Codified Laws, shall substitute the term “Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation” and its derivatives for the term “Department of Corrections” and its derivatives.

The term “secretary of corrections,” whenever it is used in the code, means “secretary of corrections and rehabilitation.” The code commission, in future supplements and revisions of the South Dakota Codified Laws, shall substitute the term “secretary of corrections and rehabilitation” and its derivatives for the term “secretary of corrections” and its derivatives.

Read that here.

Are they kidding?

Is intentionally trying to look more nurturing on crime and coddling murderers the best that Democrats have this year, as they attempt to show proof of life to their party registrants?

Not exactly a winning strategy in South Dakota.

Hopefully, this should be the last dumpster-fire Doeden post today, as he got his tail handed to him in committee, and his year-end campaign finance filing came out.

But like an angry two-year-old who just got spanked, he seems to be lashing out today and decided to take it out on the Governor, our new Lt. Governor, and even swipes at Navy veteran & former Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels as part of his tantrum:

You can listen to the rant attacking the Gov and Lt govs here, but only if you are so inclined.

In a surprising development, there is actually news from the third candidate for SDOGP Chair, Jim Eschenbaum, who has largely sat mute since a forum that was held for the three candidates running a couple of months back. From an e-mail that went out:

So, apparently Janet Jensen of Pennington County is noted to be his vice chair.  Does that mean that part of their platform will be to make sure all central committee meetings will be recorded?

IYKYK.

Stay tuned.

From SD Searchlight:

Public school districts in South Dakota would be required to set policies to allow chaplains to serve within school buildings under legislation approved in committee Monday.

Lawmakers in several other states are introducing similar bills this year, said Rep. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen, the bill’s primary sponsor.

A chaplain is a certified member of a religious body, such as a Christian denomination, who provides spiritual care for people outside of a religious organization. Chaplains serve in prisons, hospitals, and the military. Novstrup told lawmakers school board policies would spell out the definition of “chaplain,” since neither state law nor the bill define the role.

Read that here.

And from Iowa, where a similar measure was introduced, here’s what they’re hearing in that state from their friends in the Satanic Temple:

Dressed in all black with the exception of his red-tinted sunglasses and red tie, Satanic Temple Minister Mortimer Adramelech said he and his organization would welcome the opportunity to participate in Iowa’s public school chaplain program.

“I personally oppose HF 2073 because I believe in the separation of church and state, but if the bill does pass, I’m excited for the opportunities it presents for the Satanic Temple to support services and programs to school children in our state,” Adramelech said.

and..

“Iowa has several ordained ministers of Satan and we would be happy to engage children,” Adramelech said. “Hail, Satan; hail, Iowa, and thank you for your time.”

Read that here.

South Dakota legislators should be careful what they wish for. They might just get it.

Senate Committee Approves Attorney General Jackley’s Government Accountability Internal Control Bill

 PIERRE, S.D. – Senate Bill 61, which would modify and strengthen the state Board of Internal Control, and which was introduced by Attorney General Marty Jackley and supported by State Auditor Rich Sattgast and Governor Larry Rhoden’s Office, was unanimously approved Monday by the Senate State Affairs Committee.

“This bill will help ensure state government agencies are held more accountable when using taxpayer dollars,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We appreciate the support of State Auditor Sattgast, the Governor, and the Legislature.”

Senate Bill 61, as amended in committee, now goes to the Senate floor for final Senate consideration.

-30-

Gov. Rhoden Announces Josie Harms as Press Secretary 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that Josie Harms will serve as Press Secretary in the Governor’s Office. Her first day in the office will be February 6, 2025. 

“Josie will bring a service mentality and a friendly demeanor to the Governor’s Office,” said Governor Rhoden. “She is a talented professional with a bright future.  I trust that she will fulfill my commitment to treat the press with openness and responsiveness.” 

Josie graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and is working on a Master of Business Administration from Bethel University. She interned in the South Dakota Governor’s Office for two summers. During that time, she excelled in writing projects and provided excellent constituent services. She served as a Resident Assistant and Teaching Assistant at Bethel. She served as Communications Chair for “The 25,” a program for women in leadership.

“Thank you to Governor Rhoden for trusting me with this responsibility. I am incredibly honored to serve alongside a team of dedicated individuals who are committed to keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free,” said Josie Harms. “As Press Secretary, my goal is to ensure our administration remains transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of every South Dakotan.”

Josie was the team captain of the cross country and track & field team at Bethel University and holds the school record in the steeplechase event.

A photo of Josie Harms can be found here.