Improving Connections
By Congressman Dusty Johnson

BIG Update

Often, Native Americans are wrongfully left to pay medical bills owed by the Indian Health Service (IHS) through Purchased/Referred Care claims. Patients then must decide to either pay a bill they don’t personally owe or risk the bill getting sent to debt collectors. In March, I introduced the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act to reform IHS and protect Native Americans’ credit.

My bill was discussed during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing this week. Getting a hearing on a bill in Congress is a big deal. Tens of thousands of bills get introduced every two years, but only several hundred receive a hearing. I’m glad this bill is one of those few and hope it passes the Committee soon.

Chairwoman Janet Alkire from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and I testified in support of my bill. You can see my remarks here.

BIG Idea

Regulations and bureaucratic red tape make it difficult to deploy new broadband infrastructure in rural America. I introduced the FOREST Act this week to streamline the permitting process for new broadband infrastructure projects to keep rural Americans up to speed.

BIG News

The United States Postal Service announced its final reorganization plan for South Dakota’s facilities. The Sioux Falls Processing and Distribution Center will be turned into a Local Processing Center and a Sorting and Delivery Center. The nationwide restructuring is intended to increase efficiency for mail deliveries, but there are concerns this will decrease mail delivery speeds in rural areas like South Dakota, where mail will now travel hundreds of extra miles to reach its final destination. It’s unfortunate dozens of jobs will be lost or transferred out of state, forcing families to relocate or find another job. This week, I met with Brandon Delzer, the President of South Dakota Rural Letter Carriers Association, to discuss the restructuring and other postal issues.

South Dakota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Program Hosts Awareness/Training Event Monday in Rapid City 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) program is hosting its first-ever awareness and training event Monday in Rapid City.

“This training is a collaborative effort designed to emphasize and strengthen efforts for missing and murdered indigenous persons,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “We owe it to the families and friends of those who are no longer with us, either through death or absence, to keep searching for the truth.”

Monday’s event will include presentations on issues such as what people should do when someone is missing or murdered, how the prosecution process works, and the boundaries of the court protection order. Also to be discussed is the cultural relevancy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

South Dakota’s MMIP program is part of the Attorney General’s Office. It was created in 2022 by former Attorney General Mark Vargo.  Allison Morrisette is the director.

Monday’s event is being held at the Dahl Fine Arts Center in Rapid City.

Sunday is National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day.

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I’ve heard this story from more than one source now, that there are days you wish someone was filming these legislative forums.

Allegedly, there was a recent legislative candidate forum in Yankton, and the topic got around to gun rights. And out of the blue, as the story goes, State Representative Julie Auch pulls a handgun out of her purse like it’s just a prop, and slams it on the table, referencing the 2nd amendment as protection against the government taking away constitutional rights.

That’s the first time I’ve heard of a State Legislative candidate doing something like that. … maybe the rest of us just need more theatrics in our forums.

To make her point next time, do you think she’ll let a couple rounds go in the air, too?

Sometimes you stumble across stuff that leaves you scratching your head.  District 21 Senate Candidate Mykala Voita already had my radar up with her “End Time Army” participation, and her latest goofiness is no different.

So here’s the set up. According to her campaign facebook page, in between far too many biblical quotes, earlier this month Voita was apparently carrying around petitions to void Senate Bill 201, the Landowner Bill of Rights because she’s anti-pipeline, etcetera.

With that in the background, I noticed this filing with the Secretary of State’s office, Voita’s Statement of Financial Interest, where she tells the world what she does, and who she works for:

According to this document, when Voita isn’t drilling with the end time army, her occupation is “Utility Construction,” and she declares herself to be a partner in Wells Utilities, LLC.  What do we know about her business? At least according to Facebook, its an “Excavation and Utility Contractor,” and elsewhere noted as a trenching contractor.

Rural water work. Wouldn’t that be a rural water pipeline?   So… in other words, District 21 Senate Candidate Mykala Voita, who is carrying around petitions to void Senate Bill 201, the Landowner Bill of Rights, is a utility and pipeline contractor?

If Voita would bother to read the initiated measure she’s circulating, Senate Bill 201’s official title is An Act to  provide new statutory requirements for regulating linear transmission facilities, to allow counties to impose a surcharge on certain pipeline companies, and to establish a landowner bill of rights.

Why do I have the sense that this is a bit of contradiction that she’s campaigning to attack someone else’s pipeline, when I have no doubt she’s happy to accept money to trench another’s?  And of even greater consideration, why doesn’t she want indemnity for landowners? Because one of the major points in the landowner bill of rights, is to require pipeline companies to indemnify landowners for liability. Such as when someone putting in a pipeline tears across something they shouldn’t…  …Ooohhhh. As someone who digs for a living, maybe that’s why? 

While she’s on the campaign trail, is she going to go into detail what types of pipelines are good and bad?  Or what types of pipelines she’s happy to do work for, and which ones she won’t?  Are water pipelines ok, but she considers natural gas pipelines bad, because it’s far more volatile than c02 is, because co2 appears to be where she’s currently drawing the line?

It’s my understanding that because of the pipeline opposition groups, rural water systems are concerned they’re not going to be able to build systems anymore. I would think that Voita would be concerned with that.  You would think.  Utility and rural water companies should get some more detail from Mykala, as I’m guessing she’s happy to trench for them in the field, as long as they don’t notice she’s trying to jam up the ability to expand their grid of services.

You know, that’s one of the job of legislators, to dig deeper into issues before they start going of half-cocked.  Senator Erin Tobin does a good job of getting to the bottom of things before she shoots her mouth off.

And all this contradiction is an example why her opponent, Mykala Voita should probably stick to training in her End Time Army. Because she just isn’t ready for prime time.

If you’re not familiar with the candidates running in District 32 House Republican Primary race, There’s the incumbent State Representative and local businessman Steve Duffy. There’s Brook Kaufman, the CEO of Visit Rapid City, and then there’s the other guy, John Robert James.. who we know little to nothing about.

He does have a website up, and his campaign website talks about him being a Certified Financial Planner:

After college, John started a financial planning business and became a Certified Financial Planner practitioner. While growing his business, John volunteered with Plant A Seed Institute and mentored young men during college and their early career.

John serves as an advisory board member on the Pennington County 4-H Extension Board. He has helped with many 4-H activities including chaperoning at the Summer Youth Camp at Storm Mountain.

Read that here.

And there’s a Linked In page that’s up, that appears to note him as a self-employed financial planner, specifically listing him as a CFP with JRJ Planning from Aug 2017-present.

But, there’s that other thing.

If you’re searching on the Internet for John Robert James of Rapid City and financial planning, you also can’t help but stumble across another entry about him being a Certified Financial Planner. Where the Certified Financial Planner Board took specific action against a John R. James of Rapid City:

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) announced today public sanctions against 13 current or former CFP® professionals or candidates for CFP® certification, effective immediately or on the date noted in each case. Public sanctions taken by CFP Board, in order of increasing severity, include Public Censures, Suspensions, Temporary Bars, Permanent Bars and Revocations of the right to use the CFP® marks.

and..

In certain circumstances, such as when a CFP® professional is in default due to failure to acknowledge receipt of a Notice of Investigation or file an Answer, CFP Board staff must deliver an Administrative Order of Suspension, Temporary Bar, Revocation or Permanent Bar. Administrative Orders are subject to appeal.

and..

SOUTH DAKOTA

John R. James, CFP® (Rapid City, South Dakota): In September 2022, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) and Mr. James entered into a Consent Order in which Mr. James agreed that CFP Board would issue a Public Censure. In the Consent Order, Mr. James consented to findings that he was convicted for Driving Under the Influence in 2013 and Hit and Run in 2016, both misdemeanors. Mr. James consented to findings that this conduct reflected adversely on himself, the CFP® marks and the profession, in violation of Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct. In addition, due to his failure to report these convictions, the California Department of Insurance issued a 2017 Decision and Order Adopting Proposed Decision wherein it revoked Mr. James’ California insurance license. Based on this license revocation, Mr. James received a statutory disqualification from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and subsequent termination from his firm. Mr. James consented to findings that this conduct represented a failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations governing his professional services, in violation of Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Conduct. The Commission issued to Mr. James a Public Censure.

Read that all here.

So, despite what the campaign website alludes to.. that whole financial planner thing seems a bit maybe at the moment?  They were less happy about the driving offenses happening, and more upset that there was a sin of omission about the whole thing. And they spanked him hard.

And I’m not sure he learned his lesson. After omitting important information to his regulatory authority and getting in trouble for it, on his campaign website he talks about the financial planner thing and nothing else.

Despite the fact we have independent confirmation on what he does for a living coming from the candidate in a document that not a lot of people go back to review, which is the candidates’s statement of financial interest.  This is where under oath they declare their occupation, and well as where they receive their source of funds that contribute to his family’s gross income, which in this case appears to be illuminating.

Or snack friendly. You choose the term:

As I’m reading that statement of financial interest for District 32 House candidate John Robert James, despite alluding to being a financial planner on his campaign website, the form where the rubber hits the road says that he works in hospitality, and is an employee of.. BDubs, LLC?

BDubs, as in Buffalo Wild Wings?

Everybody has to have a job, but the fact that a candidate for the South Dakota Legislature talks about being a financial planner on his website, but the official form noting “BDubs, LLC” leaves me scratching my head, and raising a flag about the difference between what’s strongly suggested in his campaign materials, versus what he swore was “a true, correct and complete representation of myself” to the State of South Dakota.

And while all work is honorable, when you’re a candidate for public office, sins of omission do count against candidates, Especially when they try to give the appearance of doing one thing, but when you dig below the surface they’re actually doing another.

Just ask Jolene Loetscher how claiming to be in biotech went for her.

Johnson Named Fiscal Hero

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) received the Fiscal Hero Award from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

“It’s necessary to take our nation’s fiscal health seriously,” said Johnson. “One of my core values is good stewardship, and our government must spend taxpayer dollars responsibly. I’m honored to receive the Fiscal Hero Award and I won’t stop fighting to cut spending in Washington.”

“Fiscal responsibility is a stewardship, not only for Americans today but for generations of Americans to come. We applaud this year’s Fiscal Heroes, including Representative Johnson, for having the courage to prioritize our fiscal health and work towards achieving a more sustainable debt trajectory. Through legislation, speeches, engagement back home, and tough political decisions, these Members of Congress have distinguished themselves as leaders on these key issues, and we are honored to recognize and applaud them for their efforts. We look forward to seeing how these Fiscal Heroes will build on the momentum in the past year to make even greater strides going forward,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and head of Fix the Debt.

Fiscal Hero Awards are presented each Congress to recognize policymakers working to improve the nation’s fiscal situation and fix the budget process. Fiscal Heroes have distinguished themselves by pushing their party leaders to make debt a priority, leading bipartisan efforts to work through policy options to fix the debt and the budget process, taking responsible votes, participating in fiscally focused events, using their town hall meetings to engage and educate constituents, delivering floor speeches to raise awareness about the issue, advocating to keep tough choices on the table, and introducing legislation to improve the budget process and the nation’s fiscal position.

Getting reports out there of candidates going hard negative in their attempts to take out their opponents. Unfortunately for them, it seems to be mostly backfiring, and is being taken negatively by the very people they’re trying to convince.

In the District 17 Senate Race, Jeff Church is trying to get people to recognize his name against incumbent State Senator (and new mom!) Sydney Davis in South East South Dakota.  How has he been approaching it?  Well, not very positively, as there are reports of Davis supporters with her yard sign at their houses being left a poison packet, attacking Davis:

Not shockingly, the poison packet being left to try to sway Davis voters bases it’s attack on the cherry-picked Citizens for Liberty scorecard.

Despite telling candidates all the time, I still have to repeat that you can’t lead with negative attacks. Unless your name ID is equal or close to your opponent, it will just ring hollow, and you’re trying to convince someone that they made a bad decision before.  They’re not going to replace a known friend with an unknown person lobbing bombs, so targeting supporters is just a mistake, and a waste of money.

But don’t just take this as a lesson for newbies. Incumbents do crazy things as well when they’re feeling the heat.

Here’s a lesson from State Senator Tom Pischke who is apparently feeling the heat from the person who is likely to replace him, Jordan Youngberg.

This person who had a Youngberg sign found themselves directly harangued by Youngberg’s opponent (Tom Pischke), who not just smeared Youngberg, but asked for money. The end result was that Youngberg’s support was not just strengthened, but this now fired up supporter has taken to facebook to underline her support to all of her friends and neighbors.

And Tom isn’t just limiting his attacks to in-person. It’s part of his fundraising program:

As opposed to running on his own merits, Pischke has taken to leaving personal notes in fundraising letter falsely claiming his opponent as having a liberal voting record.  I’m told that once again, the CFL cherry-picked scorecard was used as reference.

Why does an incumbent of several years feel the need to go on the hard attack? Because his legislative successes are slim and none. Getting kicked out of caucus, demanding the National Guard chase jet chemtrails, and leaving bottles of syrup on the desks of women are not the things that bolster one’s legislative credentials.

The hard attacks coming from the candidates all smack of desperation.  And if you’re so inclined to reject these tactics..

You can donate to Sydney Davis for District 17 Senate here.

And you can donate to Jordan Youngberg for SD Senate by sending a check to:

YOUNGBERG FOR SD SENATE
613 S Allen Ave
Colman, SD 57017

Keep the tips and info about the attacks coming!

Noting the South Dakota Republican Party’s National Convention Delegate Selection regional and statewide selection process tomorrow evening, and understanding that a certain Congressional wannabe is going to be trying to get people to send her to the National Convention, I thought it might be an opportune time to remind people what Taffy Howard had to say about the South Dakota Republican Party bringing President Trump to South Dakota for an event earlier this year:

..while I have a deep admiration for what Trump has been able to accomplish, I do believe he is being used by the establishment elites in our state to give themselves some standing with their conservative constituents, which I don’t want to help in any way.

Read Taffy Howard’s screed here.

Yep. In what was one of the biggest events that the Republican Party has put on in South Dakota in modern history had Taffy declaring that “I don’t want to help in any way,” because she has that much loathing for the Republicans who have been elected, and the Republican voters who have put them in office.

GOP National Convention delegate hopefuls, keep that in mind when Taffy asks you to send her to the National Republican Convention tomorrow night. “I don’t want to help in any way.”

Just sayin’

If you’re looking for some insider baseball for the South Dakota GOP, there’s some big things happening behind the scenes.   And – try not to be shocked – but it involves the Minnehaha County Republican Party screwing up. Again.

No, it doesn’t involve them doing nothing when it comes to local candidates (again).  Or working against incumbent elected officials (again).  This time, it looks like R. Shawn Tornow botched up the National Convention Delegate Selection process to send people from Minnehaha County to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July to nominate the GOP’s Candidate for the fall presidential election.

So what happened?

In Wednesday April 3rd’s Argus Leader an ad was placed by the Minnehaha County GOP announcing the meeting to select delegates would take place on April 23 at Grace Baptist Church in Renner, SD:

And accordingly, the meeting was held, and Minnehaha County selected their delegates to attend the regional and national delegate selection process taking place tomorrow (in Pierre, I believe).   So what’s the problem?

It appears that there was a reading comprehension issue on the part of the chairman, ex-attorney R. Shawn Tornow, where he skipped over part of the South Dakota Republican Party bylaws, which reads as follows:

2. The county chairman in each county shall cause to be held at the county seat a special County National Convention Delegate Selection meeting on a date and time on or between April 15 and April 25 in the year for which a National Convention of the Republican Party is to be held for the purpose of nominating a candidate for President and Vice President. Such county meeting shall be open to all registered Republicans residing in the county; public notice, including publication in the official county newspaper, of such a meeting must be given at least 15 days in advance, and all appropriate means of providing notice of such meeting shall be used. It shall be the responsibility of the county chairman to notify the state secretary of the State Central Committee at least 15 days prior to the meeting. If the County GOP organization fails to hold the required County National Convention Delegate Selection meeting, the state chairman may authorize some other method of selecting delegates from that county subject to the approval of the State Executive Board.

By way of further explanation, the bylaws specifically note that the county chairman is to call a meeting in the Minnehaha County Seat. So of course, for Minnehaha County, R. Shawn Tornow called for the meeting to be held in Renner, SD.   Last we all knew, that big town of Sioux Falls would be considered the County seat of Minnehaha. Not Renner.

And that’s a problem.  Because it invalidated the vote for Minnehaha County, and rendered their delegates all outside of compliance with the SDGOP bylaws.   You would think an ex-attorney might have familiarized himself with the rules. But, no.

What were the consequences? What I am hearing is that SDGOP Chairman John Wiik, with the support of the SDGOP Executive Board, has publicly disclosed that the exec board members present on an emergency exec board meeting on Friday voted unanimously (with one abstention) to decertify Minnehaha’s delegate selection meeting to send people to the National Convention.

Even better – don’t forget that bylaw. If the County GOP organization fails to hold the required County National Convention Delegate Selection meeting, the state chairman may authorize some other method of selecting delegates from that county subject to the approval of the State Executive Board.

So, subject to the approval of the exec board, it has now become the State Party Chairman’s choice.

But that’s not all..  There’s a part II that you need to keep in mind. That the group had already called a meeting before this major cock up.

Minnehaha Meeting by Pat Powers on Scribd

Scheduled for a week from tomorrow on May 9th, the Minnehaha County GOP Central Committee Members called a meeting by petition, because Chairman Tornow had not held a meeting for an election to fill the vacant position of Treasurer, as demanded in the bylaws, after 6 months have gone by, according to the petition circulated.  Obviously, at least some members of the Minnehaha County Central Committee were already mad with the County Party’s (lack of) leadership team.

This meeting was called even before the Minnehaha National Convention Delegate meeting was decertified.

And now, right before an already unhappy meeting calling county leadership into question, Minnehaha GOP County Chair R. Shawn Tornow just screwed up the National Convention Delegate selection process in such an epic manner that in my 35 or so years of being involved,  I’ve never heard of it happening before.

What are the chances that someone might bring a motion to vacate the Minnehaha GOP county chair position after nothing but problems with how the county party has been run?

We don’t know if they’ll add a motion to vacate the chair or not…. but there are rumors circulating that they will.

Stay tuned. Because things are going to get very interesting when it comes to the Minnehaha County GOP

South Dakota College Democrats put out a statement recently endorsing the pro-Hamas protests at universities across the nation, and try to paint it all in shades of grey, versus recognizing it as Israelis defending themselves against terrorist attacks:

Even more curious that they are defending a protest that took people hostage as they were trying to do their jobs:

One facilities worker, who was not named, had been exiting the building at the time of the take over when protestors occupying the lobby wouldn’t let him leave.

According to The Columbia Spectator, the worker yelled ‘they held me hostage’ after finally being let out of the building. 

Shortly after the unknown worker left, the outlet reported that another three workers were allowed to leave the building before protestors relocked the doors.

Columbia University said on Tuesday afternoon that any students occupying the building face expulsion.

Read that story here.

Standing with Columbia Students isn’t aging so well for the SD College Dems, is it?