A few housekeeping items for SDWC, mainly to do with translating words to sound.

• I’m attempting to find a TTS (Text to speech) solution I like, as I’ve had a couple of requests for people to be able to listen to posts versus trying to read them while on the run and for the visually impaired, so you might see a “listen to post” button appearing here and there as I test things.

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  Let me know what you think in terms of whether it helps with your use of the website, or if it causes weirdness. Ideally, I’d like something that would read all the posts on the page at a time, but we’ll see what solutions I can find.

• The “listen on the run” discussion has also moved me closer to working out the details for a regular podcast or vodcast (Video podcast) and moving that forward. I’m mainly slogging through the format, since I’m the writer, producer, audio engineer, etc. I don’t want to do it, unless I can do it well, but I’m just about there.  More on this to come, and if there are potentially interested sponsors, get in touch, and we can talk.
• Speaking of sponsors, there are still lots of advertising space left as we move towards the 2025 session (and the 2026 elections) – drop me a note for details and prices.

Attorney General Jackley Reminds Shoppers About Holiday Scams

PIERRE, S.D. – With the Christmas shopping season starting in earnest this week,  South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley warns shoppers that scammers look to dampen the holiday spirit.

“Scammers enjoy the holidays for all the wrong reasons,” said Attorney General Jackley. “They are always looking for ways to steal a person’s personal and financial information whether people are shopping in a store or online.”

One common scam during the holidays is receiving an email or text from the U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express or another delivery service telling the customer they have a package waiting and to click onto to the attached link for delivery instructions. Never click onto such a link but contact the delivery organization directly to confirm the information.

A scam that has increased during the holiday season involves gift cards. People who purchase gift cards should carefully check the card to make sure there has been no visible tampering with the package or the area to scratch off the code.

“Before you sign for an unexpected delivery, click onto a strange website or email, or agree to buy something over the telephone or Internet, always take a few minutes check out things first,” said Attorney General Jackley.

If you believe you have been a victim of a shopping scam or theft, you are encouraged to call the Consumer Protection Division at consumerhelp@state.sd.us or call 1-800-300-1986 or 605-773-4400.

Consumers can also sign up for Consumer Alerts via email from the Consumer Protection Division at www.consumer.sd.gov. Email addresses will not be shared or sold to a third party.

The Consumer Protection Division offers these tips on how to stay shopping safe:

IN-STORE PURCHASES

1. 1. Check the refund and return policies for restrictions and exceptions.
   2. Are there re-stocking fees for returned items?
   3. When buying gift cards, check for fees and expiration dates that apply.
   4. Compare Prices.
   5. Review warranties before purchasing.

Along with those traditional shopping methods consumers also need to proceed with caution when dealing with online retailers.

 ONLINE SHOPPING TIPS:

1. 1. Always place orders from a secure connection – If your computer isn’t protected from potential malicious software, your financial information and passwords are at risk from being stolen and anything else you store on your computer or do online.
   2. Avoid offers that seem “to good to be true” – Any e-store that promises too much at too low a price should cause you to pause before going forward. Look-a-like sites are out there waiting to take your information and money.
   3. Don’t use an e-store that requires more information than necessary to make the sale.  Expect to provide method of payment, shipping address, telephone number, and email address IF the merchant requests other information walk away from the sale.  Never give your bank account or social security information.
   4. Need to create a password for a site? – make it unique.  Most site will allow you to make the purchase as a guest but if you want to create account use a unique and strong password.
   5. Is the site secure?  Look for the “https” NOT “http” the ‘s’ tells you website is secure and encrypted to protect your information.
   6. Use a Credit Card to make your purchases – Credit cards have standard protections in place should your card information be stolen.
   7. ALWAYS check the company’s shipping and return policies. Know the time frames for eligible returns and do you need a RMA, Return of Merchandise Authorization number before returning merchandise.
   8. ow the time frames you may be up against if you need to return the product.
   9. If the Terms and Conditions are buried within the site or if they are vague – stop and think before completing the purchase.

SMARTPHONE SHOPPING TIPS:

1. 1. Be sure your computer and mobile devices are current with all software updates.
   2. Be cautious of social media scams. Stick to the sites that you are familiar with and do not click on unfamiliar links.
   3. Research price comparison apps. There are many malicious mobile apps just ready to be downloaded.
   4. Do not download apps from unknown sources.

SCAM MESSAGE TIPS:

1. 1. Never click or access the link that is provided.
   2. Always go directly to source and contact them.
   3. Scammers may tell you there is a fraud investigation, and you must “verify” your account or claim there is an unauthorized or fraudulent activity on your Amazon account
   4. Common ways to detect a fake message:

1. Misspelling and poor grammar;
2. Abnormally long numbers;
3. Suspicious link – nothing relevant to the company they say they are from;
4. Message is urgent; and,
5. Message offers a refund.

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The South Dakota State Senate completed their committee rosters this afternoon shortly after the House of Representatives:

Legislative Committees (** denotes Chair, * denotes Vice Chair):

Agriculture and Natural Resources: Tom Pischke**, Kevin Jensen *, Sydney Davis, Helene Duhamel, Sam Marty, Mike Rohl, Curt Voight

Appropriations: Ernie Otten**, Mark Lapka*, John Carley, Red Dawn Foster, Taffy Howard, Paul Miskimins, Glen Vilhauer, Mykala Voita, Larry Zikmund

Commerce and Energy: Casey Crabtree**, Sue Peterson*, Arch Beal, Randy Deibert, Joy Hohn, Chris Karr, Steve Kolbeck, Liz Larson, Carl Perry

Education: Kyle Schoenfish**, Curt Voight*, Sam Marty, Lauren Nelson, Sue Peterson, Stephanie Sauder, Jamie Smith

Government Operations and Audit: Taffy Howard**, Ernie Otten*, Chris Karr, Mark Lapka, David Wheeler

Health and Human Services: Kevin Jensen**, Sydney Davis*, Tamara Grove, Carl Perry, Tim Reed, Jamie Smith, Curt Voight

Judiciary: David Wheeler**, Amber Hulse*, Greg Blanc, Helene Duhamel, Tamara Grove, Jim Mehlhaff, Tom Pischke

Legislative Procedure: Chris Karr**, Jim Mehlhaff*, Randy Deibert, Liz Larson, Carl Perry, Sue Peterson, Tom Pischke

Local Government: Tim Reed**, Helene Duhamel*, Lauren Nelson, Mike Rohl, Kyle Schoenfish, Jamie Smith, David Wheeler

Military and Veterans Affairs: Larry Zikmund**, Sam Marty*, Greg Blanc, Joy Hohn, Taffy Howard

Retirement Laws: Randy Deibert**, Glen Vilhauer*, Red Dawn Foster, Steve Kolbeck, Jamie Smith

State Affairs: Jim Mehlhaff**, Carl Perry*, Arch Beal, Randy Deibert, Kevin Jensen, Chris Karr, Liz Larson, Sue Peterson, Tom Pischke

Taxation: Steve Kolbeck**, Joy Hohn*, Greg Blanc, Casey Crabtree, Sydney Davis, Tamara Grove, Amber Hulse

Transportation: Randy Deibert**, Arch Beal*, Joy Hohn, Liz Larson, Stephanie Sauder, Kyle Schoenfish, David Wheeler

Interim Committees (** denotes Chair or co-Chair):

Joint Appropriations: Ernie Otten**(co-Chair), Mark Lapka, John Carley, Red Dawn Foster, Taffy Howard, Paul Miskimins, Glen Vilhauer, Mykala Voita, Larry Zikmund

Rules Review: Taffy Howard, Liz Larson, Jim Mehlhaff State-Tribal Relations: Mike Rohl**(co-Chair), Red Dawn Foster, Tamara Grove, Sam Marty, Jamie Smith

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From KELOland News, State Auditor Rich Sattgast and his staff have put state agencies on notice to get pre-approval on promotional items and training events, as opposed to submitting the expenses after the fact:

Finance officers throughout South Dakota state government have received notice that they will need prior approval from the office of State Auditor Rich Sattgast before spending any public dollars for employees’ or non-employees’ meals or refreshments that exceed state per diem rates, or for hosting conferences or training events, or for recruiting and promotional items.

and..

“We want to work with state employees. We don’t want to hang them out to dry. But we are the watchdog of state tax dollars,” she added.

Read the entire story here.

And before some of you start, this has been going on for decades. So, it’s a useful reminder for agencies to ask before they make plans to buy those water bottles.. or plan on serving jumbo shrimp cocktail for an event as one department did when I was in state government 30 some years ago.

Gov. Noem Announces Cornerstones of Government Accountability

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced four cornerstones to enhance government accountability in the State of South Dakota. As the first step, Governor Noem signed Executive Order 2024-07, which establishes required state employee trainings centered around public trust, duty to act, internal controls, conflict of interest, and a service mindset for the citizens of South Dakota. 

“Every dollar that we spend or invest as a state belongs to the people of South Dakota, and they trust us to be wise and responsible with those dollars,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We are taking enhanced measures to strengthen the fortitude of our financial infrastructure and make sure that we are taking care of taxpayer dollars. And we will guarantee that state employees are responsible stewards for the people that they serve.”

The four cornerstones of Governor Noem’s approach to fiscal fortitude include:

• Additional annual state employee trainings as outlined in Executive Order 2024-07;
• Enhancements to policies, procedures, systems, and technology to strengthen internal controls of taxpayer dollars;
• Increasing resources to assist with the mission of the State Board of Internal Control – Governor Noem has already taken action and hired one additional Internal Control Officer; and
• A legislative package for the 2025 legislative session, including clearer and stronger accountability measures.

Several actions have already been made as state agencies are onboarded through the Board of Internal Control process. We have more to do. The upcoming implementation of the new BISON state accounting system and the 605 Drive motor vehicle system will provide more safeguards to protect taxpayer dollars that simply were not possible with the state’s aging technology systems.

The State Board of Internal Control was created in 2016 with the goal of establishing and maintaining guidelines for an effective system of accountability to be implemented by state agencies, a code of conduct for use by state agencies, and a conflict of interest policy for use by state agencies. SDCL 1-56-1(3) defines an internal control as “a process that integrates the… procedures, systems, resources, and efforts of an organization and that is designed to… detect and prevent financial malfeasance.”

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In case you were wondering how the legislature is going to look next year, the Legislative Research Council announced the House Committee makeup a few moments ago:

Legislative Committees (** denotes Chair, * denotes Vice Chair):

Agriculture and Natural Resources: Marty Overweg**, Spencer Gosch *, Julie Auch, Tim Goodwin, Jana Hunt, Travis Ismay, Trish Ladner, Kaley Nolz, Drew Peterson, Kathy Rice, Richard Vasgaard, Kevin Van Diepen, Kadyn Wittman

Appropriations: Mike Derby**, Tony Venhuizen*, Terri Jorgenson, Chris Kassin, Liz May, Scott Moore, Erik Muckey, Al Novstrup, John Sjaarda

Commerce and Energy: Karla Lems**, Jessica Bahmuller*, Aaron Aylward, Steve Duffy, Lana Greenfield, Tony Kayser, Tina Mulally, Kaley Nolz, Drew Peterson, Tesa Schwans, William Shorma, Nicole Uhre-Balk, Mike Weisgram

Education: Lana Greenfield**, Phil Jensen*, Amber Arlint, Heather Baxter, Roger DeGroot, Josephine Garcia, Jim Halverson, Mellissa Heermann, Travis Ismay, Dylan Jordan, Logan Manhart, Kathy Rice, Tesa Schwans, Mike Stevens, Nicole Uhre-Balk

Government Operations and Audit: Marty Overweg**, Scott Moore*, Julie Auch, Eric Emery, Karla Lems

Health and Human Services: Brian Mulder**, Les Heinemann*, Bobbi Andera, Heather Baxter, Eric Emery, Josephine Garcia, Jim Halverson, Dylan Jordan, Tony Kayser, Logan Manhart, Rebecca Reimer, Taylor Rehfeldt, Brandei Schaefbauer

Judiciary: Mike Stevens**, Bethany Soye*, Mary Fitzgerald, John Hughes, Jana Hunt, David Kull, Curt Massie, Will Mortenson, Peri Pourier, Rebecca Reimer, Tim Reisch, Matt Roby, Tim Walburg

Legislative Procedure: Jon Hansen**, Karla Lems*, Erin Healy, Tina Mulally, Scott Odenbach, Marty Overweg, Tony Venhuizen

Local Government: Greg Jamison**, Julie Auch*, Bobbi Andera, Jeff Bathke, Roger DeGroot, Mary Fitzgerald, Mellissa Heermann, David Kull, Trish Ladner, Tina Mulally, Matt Roby, Kevin Van Diepen, Kadyn Wittman

Military and Veterans Affairs: Tim Goodwin**, Tim Reisch*, Aaron Aylward, Jessica Bahmuller, Heather Baxter, Terri Jorgenson, Tony Kayser, Scott Moore, Peri Pourier, Christopher Reder, Tony Randolph, William Shorma, Keri Weems

Retirement Laws: Mike Weisgram**, Les Heinemann*, Amber Arlint, David Kull, Erik Muckey

State Affairs: Scott Odenbach**, Marty Overweg*, Jessica Bahmuller, Eric Emery, Spencer Gosch, Jon Hansen, Erin Healy, Les Heinemann, Greg Jamison, Karla Lems, Tim Reisch, Brandei Schaefbauer, Bethany Soye

Taxation: Aaron Aylward**, John Hughes*, Jeff Bathke, Curt Massie, Will Mortenson, Herman Otten, Peri Pourier, Christopher Reder, Kent Roe, Tony Randolph, Tim Walburg, Keri Weems, Mike Weisgram

Transportation: Tony Randolph**, Herman Otten*, Amber Arlint, Steve Duffy, Tim Goodwin, Phil Jensen, Brian Mulder, Christopher Reder, Taylor Rehfeldt, Kent Roe, William Shorma, Richard Vasgaard, Keri Weems

Interim Committees (** denotes Chair or co-Chair):

Joint Appropriations: Mike Derby**(co-Chair), Terri Jorgenson, Chris Kassin, Liz May, Scott Moore, Erik Muckey, Al Novstrup, John Sjaarda, Tony Venhuizen

Rules Review: Roger DeGroot, Jon Hansen, Erik Muckey

State-Tribal Relations: Will Mortenson**(co-Chair), Heather Baxter, Eric Emery, Scott Odenbach, Peri Pourier

Thoughts?

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I hadn’t had this reported to me from the confederate county Republican GOP chair forum the other night. But in notes that were sent out last night there was a completely wild informational item that should give Republicans pause.

In the notes sent out, GOP chair hopeful Lee Qualm (whom at least a couple of his siblings don’t trust so much), apparently had indicated that he wants to take the South Dakota Republican Party down the same path which caused him to lose his 2020 election for State Senate in a 2/1  landslide.

What path am I talking about? His anti-vaxxer crusade.

Candidate 1 – Lee Qualm
Introduced himself and noted he would be calling everyone.

—

Goals:

• • Educate State GOP and take a stand for/against vaccines – each measure should be studied and decisions based on Constitution and Platform. Provide information and use resources similar as to what has been done on RM 21 – petitions, radio ads, etc.

What… The..  _…?  Is this what the South Dakota Republican Party has been reduced to, just being considered a tool for crackpots and zealots to promote their pet issues?

One of the reasons Qualm lost his 2020 State Senate race was because he drowned himself in crazy anti-vaccination kool aid, and was the prime sponsor on Anti-vaxxer legislation House Bill 1235, that would not just have ended mandatory vaccination for school attendance, but made it a class one misdemeanor – that’s up to one year in jail – to require vaccinations such as for whooping cough, measles and polio for employees of nursing homes & state medical students.

Yet, according to the notes from the forum the other night, he allegedly wants to take over the Republican Party, send people out with petitions, and use the GOP to place radio ads for his pet anti-vaxxer cause.

Call me foolish, but I always thought the Republican Party exists to elect Republicans and not serve as somebody’s pet advocacy group! Maybe I’m shouting into the wind at this point, but you have to hope for people’s better judgement to NOT select this kind of agenda for the state’s largest political party.

If not? Then I will at least have a lot to write about over the next two years.

In my earlier post, my initial take away from the Dakota Scout article today was the silliness of State Representative Aaron Aylward telling reporters that he did not ask all of legislators whether they wanted to sign his letter because he was afraid of leaks.

But as was pointed out to me earlier this afternoon, his purpose for the letter was maybe a bit more dubious, leading me to question whether or not legislators were told they were signing on to protest money being spent by the United States to fight terrorists in Israel?

First, the letter as written:

Somewhat broad. But when we go back to the story, Aylward provides his motivation – the raison d’être – behind the letter originating from the former libertarian party chairman:

Rep. Aaron Aylward, who spearheaded the letter-writing campaign, told The Dakota Scout the group felt an urgency to send the correspondence due to escalating geopolitical tensions around the globe — particularly wars involving Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas.

and..

Israel has received about $18 billion since October 7, 2023.

Read that here.

The letter that was signed said nothing about Israel, but clearly, in Aylward’s comments to the reporter, his objection to aid for Israel against terrorist Hamas was a major drive behind his reasoning for it.

Really, did letter-signing Legislators such as Fred Deutsch, who has been a staunch supporter of Israel, suddenly feel an urgency to oppose aid to the country now?  Did Aylward actually tell legislators that he was hoodwinking them into telling our Congressional Delegation to stop supporting Israel, and to side with Bernie Sanders and Hamas?

I seriously doubt it.

Senators Thune & Rounds and Congressman Johnson, please – let’s keep the fight against terrorism overseas, and continue supporting a solid ally of America in the Middle-East.

Certain House and Senate legislators are being carved up and divided along not party lines, but on whether they’re in the right legislative clique. Because if they aren’t – when it comes to communicating with state leaders – they might be a dirty leaker!

Rep. Aaron Aylward, who spearheaded the letter-writing campaign, told The Dakota Scout the group felt an urgency to send the correspondence due to escalating geopolitical tensions around the globe — particularly wars involving Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas.

and…

Aylward told The Scout only 55 lawmakers were asked to sign onto the letters due to fears of “leaks.”

Read that here.

A letter to our US Senator on policy which is apparently too secret to talk to all legislators about? ‘Due to fear of leaks?”

We live in interesting times. And paranoid times.

Support South Dakota’s Small Businesses
By Sen. John Thune

Soon after the snow starts in South Dakota, Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season. I love this time of year: gathering around the Thanksgiving feast with my family, throwing the football around outside, and giving thanks to God for our many blessings.

Of course, the holiday season also means a long to-do list: picking up groceries, finding the perfect gift, and getting gas for the trip to see family. Whatever it is you need and wherever the holidays take you, South Dakota’s small businesses will have you covered.

For a number of years now, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has marked Small Business Saturday. It’s a special opportunity to support the roughly 95,000 small businesses that are the backbone of our state’s and many communities’ economies. Shopping small has a big impact. Small businesses are often a lot more than a storefront on Main Street, they are a big a part of our communities. Dollars spent at a small business stay local, and small businesses often turn around and support their communities through booster clubs, Chambers of Commerce, or even offering a young person his or her first job.

I also have a great appreciation for the important role small businesses play in helping people achieve the American Dream. After immigrating from Norway and helping build the railroad across South Dakota, my grandfather and his brother opened a hardware store in Mitchell. My grandfather opened another location in Murdo, and my parents worked there after World War II. I also got my start working at a small business: the Star Family Restaurant. I worked my way up from busboy to cook, and it taught me invaluable lessons about hard work and what it takes to run a small business.

As I’m traveling around South Dakota, it’s always a pleasure to drop in to small businesses wherever I am. It’s great to have a chance to hear directly from business owners and see what their operation is all about. Just recently I stopped into the Daily Grind in Lemmon for a cup of coffee, and got some treats for my grandkids at Grandma’s Chocolates. I was at the Meathouse in Andover, and popped into Mike’s Food Center down the road in Webster. And I grabbed lunch at Toby’s Lounge in Meckling on my way to tour Masaba’s manufacturing facility in Vermillion.

These visits give me valuable insight when I return to Washington. Small business owners need pro-growth policies that help them reinvest in their businesses, hire more workers, and grow. Next year, Congress will have an important debate about tax policy as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires at the end of 2025. President Trump and Republican majorities in Congress are committed to preserving lower tax rates and policies that ushered in a strong economy and grew paychecks during the first Trump administration. As always, I’ll rely on the input from South Dakota small businesses for this important debate.

Small businesses are at the heart of the American spirit. Whether they’re working out of a storefront on Main Street or working late nights at their kitchen table to get a business off the ground, small business owners are preserving the American Dream. I hope you’ll join me in supporting South Dakota’s small businesses this Small Business Saturday, throughout the holiday season, and all year round.

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