As alleged a few days ago, Taffy Howard filed paperwork to run for District 34 State Senate today.

Oddly, in the press release that Taffy’s ghostwriter sent out, her big statement talks about two things that she really should avoid bringing up this election:

“I am dedicated to serving District 34 and South Dakota. I will use my experience and relationships I’ve built in Pierre to build a brighter, safer, and stronger South Dakota together!” Howard declares, signaling her readiness to contribute to the state’s future.

Holy buckets?!? Did her flaks really try to invoke her “experience” and “relationships?”  WOW! Are they kidding?

Her experience? As in passing 0 – ZERO – bills out of 17 in her last three years at bat?  Or as in skipping 14% of floor votes in her last legislative session?  How about when she skipped the vote on impeachment?  In fact, I think Dusty Johnson did a commercial on her “experience” in the last election:

And let’s not forget this prior ding on her experience, as well as any claims of being conservative..

And that’s literally just the tip of the iceberg regarding her utter lack of competence as a legislator.

What about Howard’s claims invoking the relationships she’s built in Pierre?

I know there was one event in the last two years where, if she didn’t note it publicly, I believe the Governor referred to legislator Taffy at the time as useless. That came after Taffy sued Governor Kristi Noem over providing broadband service to rural communities.

Oh! Don’t forget! Remember back a couple of months ago when Taffy had an opportunity to help the Republican Party?

..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.

Yeah.. Lots of relationship building there.

So, as for Taffy’s “experience and relationships?” She might want to downplay those, lest people get wind of the real Taffy experience.

Saddle up, as Taffy Howard tries for a comeback. Because it sounds as if she’s riding a lot of bull on her way back to Pierre.

State Senator “Sticky Tom” Pischke is telling KELOland news that he’s going to actually look into whether he might legally contest his ban from the House Floor after his incident where he was banned from the House Floor because of his recent unwelcome conduct with a syrup bottle.

“I have a member who is very offended,” Bartels said.

Asked whether he did it, Pischke said, “Video doesn’t lie.” He put the bottle of Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup on Conzet’s desk at about 12:30 p.m. Monday. He said it was meant “as a gift.” As for the discipline, Pischke said, “I just think this is completely overreaction.”

and..

When I took office, SD wasn’t high on site selectors' radar – but that has changed dramatically!

Now, we’re at the top of the list.

SD won the @SiteSelection Governor’s Cup for the most economic development protects per-capita in the nation!https://t.co/pbxbFjg3l7 pic.twitter.com/QhbJlOysIM

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 5, 2024

Gov. Noem Signs Bills into Law 

PIERRE, S.D. – Yesterday, Governor Kristi Noem signed the following 19 bills into law:

• SB 9 further limits applications for clemency for violent crime offenders sentenced to life imprisonment;
• SB 15 requires a convicted defendant to reimburse the cost of digital forensic examination fees;
• SB 42 modifies provisions related to medical cannabis;
• SB 76 modifies provisions pertaining to the appointment of vacant positions on a board or commission;
• SB 81 expands permission on installing electric wiring in a residence;
• SB 84 updates the edition of the guidebook used for measuring damages to trees or plants;
• SB 85 revises a provision related to an action to quiet title to real property;
• SB 86 allows a municipality authorized to allow legal games of chance to issue additional off-sale liquor licenses to hotel-motel convention facilities;
• SB 112 establishes a non-resident title fee;
• SB 152 establishes maximum fees for legal publications and to remove related rule-making authority from the Bureau of Administration;
• SB 169 revises provisions regarding drones;
• HB 1082 changes the eligibility requirements, and the exempt value, of a property tax relief program for disabled veterans and surviving spouses;
• HB 1084 repeals a provision related to habeas corpus proceedings;
• HB 1086 establishes an enhanced penalty for probationers intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids or human waste with a Unified Judicial System employee;
• HB 1099 establishes educational standards for the expanded practice of optometry;
• HB 1100 modifies certain requirements for eligibility to receive a gift of a museum collection from a county or municipality;
• HB 1147 addresses discriminatory acts against entities participating in a 340B drug pricing program;
• HB 1182 revises provisions pertaining to the observation of the conduct of an election; and,
• HB 1196 streamlines the process by which an on-sale retail license holder may acquire a special event license.

A photo of Governor Noem signing these bills can be found here.

Governor Noem has signed 129 bills into law this legislative session.

###

Had an interesting e-mail the other day with regards to Rick Weible, election denier, self-declared South Dakota Hero, and currently a Candidate for House.. er, now candidate for Senate in District 8.

Weible seems to have a strong association with a Rachel Davis, a candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Weible’s efforts to try to convince people that something is wrong with election equipment features regularly in Davis’ social media, as noted here by her post from last Friday..

And a few very short months ago, Weible was a featured speaker at an event for candidate Davis, as noted by this event poster from November 30th of last year after Weible had already announced he was running for State House in South Dakota..

You can see here he was featured as a speaker at this Davis Rally as the former Mayor of Saint Bonicafius, and “election expert,” skipping over any mention of his South Dakota stuff.  In fact, at the event, here’s a picture of Weible on stage at the event as posted on Davis’ social media..

..looking a bit older than the photo used on the event advertisement.  I believe this is Weible, Minnesota State Senator Mark Koran, and Koran Campaign Chair Connie Thorp. A brief web search on Koran notes that in addition to the Minnesota State Senate, he tries to raise funds for January 6 insurrectionists.

(Okay. You know this website. Let’s start down the rabbit hole!)

So, Legislative candidate Weible, Koran, etc, are gathered together at an event to “Defeat Left Radicalism” with Rachel Davis of Minnesota Legislative District 27B. Why is this something we should pay attention to as Rick pursues running for the South Dakota State Legislature?  Well, Rick’s Minnesota friend Rachel Davis has some issues that start back in 2022 and continued into 2023 which prevented Minnesota Republicans from endorsing her in their recent election endorsement process:

“The committee did not support me because I am on probation for a DUI,” Davis said. “I was asleep on the side of the road and got approached by a police officer. It was my first offense and I was (put) on probation for two years. They had a hard time with that.

“I told them everybody makes mistakes and I am a fighter and we need fighters down at the Capitol.“

https://www.hometownsource.com/elk_river_star_news/news/government/house-27b-candidate-faces-potential-jail-time-for-probation-violation/article_0586e340-d283-11ee-a19c-4fdabd3a2b87.html

Davis is a fighter? Well, the problem is WHO she was apparently fighting that caused her some issues in a 2023 incident. Continuing on…

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a patron who was reportedly being belligerent and hitting people, according to an incident complaint report drawn up by the responding deputies.

and..

Due to Davis’ level of intoxication and not having anyone to care for her, it was determined she would go to the hospital to be evaluated. After she was cleared by a doctor, she was taken to jail.

While en route to jail, Davis stated she was very powerful and used expletives to say they would suffer consequences for their actions, the incident report stated.

During the ride to jail, she reportedly stated she was running for 27B. She also made several threatening remarks to the deputy who was transporting her to jail related to him specifically and others, the report said.

Read that entire story here.

While being belligerent at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and threatening law enforcement in early 2023 has apparently caused Minnesota Republicans to consider someone else in their election process, it certainly hasn’t prevented Rick Weible from working with Rachel Davis as she promotes his efforts at hand counting and he appears at her events.

As a candidate running for District 8 State House Senate back in South Dakota, it brings up several questions as to what Rick Weible’s agenda is for South Dakota? And does he even care who he promotes? Or is it all about his election conspiracy goofiness?

Because if that’s the kind of person he wants to help along in their campaign efforts, there’s definitely some questions that need to be raised by South Dakota Republicans. And the GOP needs to remember – Quality candidates matter.

Via Jake Sherman at Punchbowl news:

🚨BREAKING NEWS: Senate Republican Conference Chair @SenJohnBarrasso will run for GOP WHIP next Congress, taking a pass on leader and cementing @SenJohnThune as the front runner in the contest.

MUCH MORE soon…..

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 5, 2024

In case you wanted to watch for yourself, here’s the video from South Dakota Public Broadcasting where you can watch Tom Pischke coming in, and putting the bottle of syrup on Representative Conzet’s desk. (Start about 2:20:00):

So, Pischke brings it in, hidden behind a piece of paper, and then looks around to see if anyone caught him in the act.

But of course, as opposed to the reaction he received, getting kicked off the House floor and admonished by the Speaker, Sticky Tom was “expecting her to be filled with gratitude.”

But then again, most people who drop off gifts don’t have to hide them.

The Dakota Scout has a story up regarding Senator “Sticky Tom” Pischke over the action that caused the Speaker of the House to ban him from the floor and lobby of the State House of Representatives in the waning days of the 2024 session. And it probably contains the most non-apology I think I’ve ever read.

Sen. Tom Pischke of Dell Rapids has been barred from the chambers of the state House of Representatives by Speaker Hugh Bartels for allegedly violating Legislative code of conduct standards Monday.

and..

In a text message sent to The Scout, Pischke admitted leaving a bottle of syrup – Mrs. Butterworth’s brand – on Conzet’s desk inside the state House, but said he did not anticipate the backlash. He’s since issued an apology to Conzet.

“I was expecting her (Conzet) to be filled with gratitude,” Pischke said. “I’m wondering if the Speaker is jealous that he didn’t receive a bottle, too, and that’s his justification for this.”

Read that here.

Wow. Just wow.

It is me, or is Tom not expecting to be back next year?

Jason Green Announces Candidacy for Senate in Rapid City’s District 34

Rapid City, SD – Today Former City Attorney Jason Green announced his candidacy for the South Dakota Senate, serving District 34 and the people of Rapid City. As a lifelong resident of the Black Hills and a results-oriented Republican, Green is excited and committed to work to keep South Dakota the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Green brings a wealth of experience to the Senate. After more than 10 years in the City Attorney’s Office in Rapid City, Jason has continued to serve the community working as Associate General Counsel at Monument Health. “The District 34 voters were very encouraging and supportive when I circulated my nominating petition.” said Green. “I was pleased to hear these kind words, and they have validated my decision to run for Senate.” Green is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Rapid City, a former adjunct professor at the University of South Dakota West River Campus, and a Life Member of the NRA.

Jason has a long history of community involvement, including volunteering with the Black Hills Federal Credit Union for more than 14 years, serving in many roles including being elected to several terms as Chairman by his fellow Board and Committee members. Additionally, he has served on the Governing Board and Finance Committees for Wellfully, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing addiction recovery, behavioral and psychiatric residential care to youth in the Black Hills area. Green also serves on the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Golf Course advisory committee.

As a conservative Republican, Jason will focus on ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally responsible manner, improving infrastructure to provide Rapid City with access to vital resources and economic opportunity, and continuing South Dakota’s tradition of limited government to maximize individual freedom.

Jason Green is a graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and was recognized as an Outstanding Recent Graduate in 2007. He also holds two law degrees, one from the University of South Dakota School of Law and the other from Loyola University Chicago.

“My promise to taxpayers is that I look forward to working hard every day for the people of District 34 and I ask for your support on June 4th in the Republican primary election.”

State Senator Tom Pischke, who in 2015 had a protection order for domestic abuse filed against him by his ex-wife (which was later dismissed), today finds himself at the receiving end of a different kind of order.

Today, Speaker of the House Hugh Bartels has issued an order banning Senator Pischke from the House Floor and House Lobby for the remainder of the legislative session for violating joint rule 1B-1. The Speaker also noted in the order that he will be speaking to Senate Leadership about the situation as well.

After a weird House Commemoration sponsored by Rep. Phil Jensen and Senator Pischke discussing Aunt Jemima’s contributions to society was pulled from the House Calendar by State Representative Kris Conzet, someone unknown had surreptitiously left a bottle of syrup on the lawmaker’s desk. House leadership was informed and video was reviewed and we come to find out State Senator Tom Pischke was caught on film as the person who placed the bottle on Representative Conzet’s desk.

In fact, video of his placement of the syrup was also caught on Public Broadcasting’s legislative coverage during a legislative recess, where Pischke can be observed walking into House chambers with a piece of paper covering something, then pulling the bottle out of syrup out from behind it:

Pischke, who co-sponsored the measure with Representative Phil Jensen came over from the Senate and left the bottle at the Representative Kris Conzet’s desk at a time when no one else was around.  Why? To protest her request to pull the measure, which had nothing to do with South Dakota?  Who knows? What we do know is that this is another Tom Pischke unforced error.

Remember, this is not Pischke’s only ban from activities in the South Dakota Legislature. Don’t forget that during the last legislative session, Pischke held a press conference which bizarrely demanded the that the Hughes County State’s Attorney criminally charge many of the members of the Senate Republican Caucus. After which Senator Pischke found himself disinvited from attending the daily meetings where Republicans conduct strategy sessions on legislation.

Sources inform me that Pischke’s ban from the Senate Republican Caucus has continued on through this year. With today’s action, there are getting to be fewer and fewer places Pischke will be allowed to conduct himself in the State Capitol.

Should he choose to run again, Senator Tom Pischke will be facing former State Senator Jordan Youngberg who has been running for the seat for the past few months, and the incident provides yet further ammunition for his opponent to use against the Senator in talking about his lack of judgement.

Yet again, it’s a sticky situation of Tom’s own making.