SDEPA Applauds Passing of Compromise Landowner Bill of Rights 

PIERRE, S.D. (March 6, 2024) – The South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association applauds the South Dakota Legislature for passing a package of compromise bills that will provide the nation’s first Landowner Bill of Rights along with needed regulatory certainty for CO2 pipelines.

“Thank you to Leader Crabtree and Leader Mortenson for their steadfast determination to make sure this was a good deal for landowners and for businesses looking to create long-lasting economic development in this state. We applaud the South Dakota legislators who supported farmers, landowners, and ethanol with this compromise,” said Walt Wendland, SD Ethanol Producers Association Board President. “This legislation is pro-landowner, pro-business, pro-farmer, and pro-ethanol. It’s a win-win for all South Dakotans.”

Leveraging carbon capture in South Dakota to further decarbonize ethanol provides new market opportunities and adds value to every bushel of corn and every acre of land.

Thune Introduces South Dakota Judicial Nominees at Confirmation Hearing

“I believe both of these nominees have the character and impartiality to serve lifetime appointments on the federal bench.”

WASHINGTON —U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced Eric Schulte and Judge Camela Theeler, nominees to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on their nominations. Watch the full nomination hearing here.

It must be the day for candidates who won’t get on the ballot.  First, Democrat Sheryl Johnson launched a campaign in Sioux Falls running for Congress from the hard left. And now this afternoon comes a new Republican in the congressional race from.. well, it seems like outer space once you start digging into it.

A Christopher Sanders from out west has filed paperwork to run for Congress, joining Justin McNeal and Patrick Schubert among the peanut gallery of candidates who have declared that they want to challenge incumbent Congressman Johnson in the Republican Primary:

Sanders FEC Filings by Pat Powers on Scribd

This candidacy comes even farther out of the blue than the Democrat challenger’s announcement did today with the filing of the “Sanders for South Dakota” committee paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission.  I had never heard of this Christopher Sanders character, but in doing a web search, there is a website out there apparently that he has set up for the campaign:

On the campaign website, Sanders claims endorsements from several figures, including noting the poker playing crop insurance agent & major Taffy Howard donor Luke Blindert as his “Sioux Falls Campaign Coordinator.”

Of course, he also claims the endorsement of some guy as his MAGA Fashion designer and quotes him as saying that he “will help Chris win for the State of South Dakota just like I helped Congresswoman Lauren Boebert in Colorado, through style and fashion.”  Not sure I know a lot of Congressional candidates in the state who use a MAGA fashion designer. Maybe this is a new thing?  I especially noted the endorsement of Frank Dux, a man who was portrayed by Jean Claude Van Damme in the movie Bloodsport.

The campaign notes that it has offices located at 500 East Blvd in Rapid City in Suite 1402. Which must be staffed by very tiny people, since that’s the address of the post office, and 1402 would be a PO Box.  If you dig further into his website, Sanders also claims “Together he has a published a book called “The Convenient Solution” and “Sustainable Freedom” where he introduced Elon Musk to the world some 20 years ago.“

You know, it’s a free country and all, but this is some seriously off-the-wall stuff, which we would not have discovered if he hadn’t filed FEC paperwork.

Maybe it’s just me, but I have the sneaking suspicion that this might be another new candidate who won’t get on the ballot.

Stay tuned.

The Black Hills Pioneer has a story on their website today on how Lawrence County, and potentially up to 26 counties are facing a headache of initiated measures at the county level that experienced election lawyer Sara Frankenstein believes stand in direct violation of federal law, and will give cause of action for the ACLU and others to bring suit against Lawrence county and other counties who would if the initiated measure would pass in this or other counties:

She said South Dakota Canvassing does not seem to understand why the machine exists as required by the Help America Vote Act.

These specific machines are designed to help people with disabilities vote independently.

and..

“Who in the world would be against that,” Frankenstein asked. “Who would be against helping disabled people vote? I don’t think these folks realize that when they put number three on a petition, that says electronic voting devices of any kind are prohibited.”

She said the Help America Vote Act requires one of those electronic devices to be in every polling place for every federal election. “So, if your ballot has a federal election on it, those have to be in the polling place,” she said. “So, the problem with the petition, there could be others, but the one that’s just glaring and obvious for this election lawyer is that number three, there’s no exception made for federal cases … so it outright violates the Help America Vote Act.”

and..

Frankenstein said if that happens, the county will be sued. She said she will get called to defend the county, and she will lose.

“I can’t possibly defend that,” she said. “How could I defend a county ordinance that violates federal statute?”

Read the entire story here.

That’s the problem with the election conspiracists who insist we need to be using paper ballots. Why should they be concerned about things like federal laws and civil rights getting in the way of their zealotry?  Just because it could cost county taxpayers millions in lawsuits doesn’t matter in their pursuit of internet conspiracies.

Black Hills Forest Resource Association Endorses Rounds-led Legislation to Increase Timber Sales in the Black Hills National Forest

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that the Black Hills Forest Resource Association has endorsed his Timber Harvesting Restoration Act, legislation that would require the United States Forest Service (USFS) to improve timber sales numbers in the Black Hills National Forest. The Black Hills Forest Resource Association is an organization made up of local businesses, manufacturers and foresters dedicated to improving forest management in the Black Hills National Forest.

“We appreciate this legislation from Senator Rounds which would help the US Forest Service succeed and the communities depending on that success,” said Ben Wudtke, Executive Director of the Black Hills Forest Resource Association. “The US Forest Service has recognized a tremendous need for treating an additional 20 million acres through their Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Recognizing the need is the first step. This legislation is a logical next step that would help better position individual national forests for accomplishing those goals through development of tailored plans where needed.”

“A well-managed forest is a healthy forest,” said Rounds. “The reduction in timber production in the Black Hills not only harms our businesses, but our forest as well. I’m grateful for the support of the Black Hills Forest Resource Association and look forward to working with them to restore our timber production in the Black Hills.”

Click HERE for more information on the Timber Harvesting Restoration Act.

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Gov. Noem Supports Landowner Bill of Rights 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced her support for a Landowner Bill of Rights:

“I stand with South Dakota landowners and always will,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “I am looking forward to signing a Landowner Bill of Rights that will provide new protections for landowners and allow for economic growth to move forward through a transparent process.”

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Governor Noem Signs Historic Bill to Combat Antisemitism into Law 

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem signed HB 1076, which requires the consideration of the definition of antisemitism when investigating unfair or discriminatory practices, into law.

“Ever since the horrific terrorist attacks on the State of Israel on October 7th, 2023, we have seen a shocking spike in antisemitic acts of hatred around the world, including some isolated incidents right here in South Dakota,” said Governor Noem. “I am very proud to sign this historic bill to keep our Jewish people secure. I hope more states will follow our leadership.”

This bill defines antisemitism and makes it easier to prove when discriminatory conduct is motivated by antisemitism. This important and impactful legislation will ensure the safety of Jewish people and strengthen South Dakota’s anti-discrimination laws.

Governor Noem was joined by Elan Carr, the CEO of the Israeli-American Council for Action, nationally renowned Jewish leader Dan Rosen, Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfeder, the Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota, Renie Schreiber, on behalf of Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Jordan Cope from Stand With Us, the prime sponsors of the bill Representative Fred Deutsch and Senator Jim Mehlhaff, and many other prominent Jewish leaders.

“This is an important moment at an urgent time,” said Elan S. Carr, CEO of the Israeli-American Council and former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. “By adopting into law and implementing the global standard for defining antisemitism, South Dakota is making a powerful statement that the evil of Jew-hatred has no place in our state or our country. We are deeply grateful to Gov. Noem and to the state legislature, especially to Rep. Deutsch and Sen. Mehlhaff, for showing principled leadership and for embodying the best of American values. Given the horrors of 10/7 and the appalling rise of anti-Jewish violence and discrimination since, this could not have come at a more important time.”

“Since October 7^th, antisemitism has skyrocketed across this country by roughly 400%. And part of the problem is you cannot fight something you cannot define,” said Mark Goldfeder, Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center. “By adopting this bill and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, South Dakota has sent a clear message that there is no place for hate in this state.”

“If a Jewish child in South Dakota is going to be more safe and more protected, it’s going to be because we did here today,” said Rabbi Mendel.

A photo of Governor Noem signing this historic legislation can be found here. You can view the full bill signing ceremony here.

Governor Noem has signed 137 bills into law this legislative session.

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South Dakota Democrats found someone to take one for the team today, and presented a Sheryl Johnson who announced her run for Congress:

We’ll see if she able to make the ballot.

From Facebook:

Filed late last week, and now up on the Secretary of State’s website is the Statement of Organization committee filing for Jim Halverson, who is running for the open House seat in District 21.

If you aren’t familiar with Jim, us old-timers recognize him as the son of State Senate icon Harold Halverson who served 26 years in the South Dakota State Legislature. And far younger Republicans might also know him as the father of Hayley Halverson, who has been an officer with the College Republicans, and is now traveling around the state working for the Dusty Johnson campaign.

Jim had previously made a run for the State Senate back in 1990, when Doris Miner was a long-time Democrat State Senator, and it was a tough, tough district for Republicans.   I’m sure an official announcement will be forthcoming, but it’s great to see such a good guy willing to step up and run.

Also noteworthy is that former legislator and Secretary of Ag Kim Vanneman is serving as treasurer for his campaign committee.

This sets up a very competitive primary with three candidates, Halverson, Rep. Marty Overweg and Lee Qualm, all competing for the two House seats.

If you’d like to donate to Jim’s  campaign, you can send your donation to:

Jim Halverson for House
PO Box 334
Winner, SD 57580

Stay tuned!