From NPR, while nearly every other state could point to something musical relating to their state, South Dakota Democrats were unable to offer up musical tribute relating to their brand:

DJ Cassidy and the Democrats played special tracks for each state and territory during Tuesday night’s roll call.

But what song — or songs, in some cases — repped your state? We found them all so you don’t have to. Better yet, we offer some reasons behind the choices.

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South Carolina: Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine – James Brown. James Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnswell, S.C.

South Dakota: What I Like About You – The Romantics

Tennessee: 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton. Country music star Dolly Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tenn., and currently lives just outside of Nashville. Her Dollywood theme park and resorts are located in Pigeon Forge.

Read that all here.

Did they even try? That’s just.. kind of sad.

Hot off the press is a release that was sent out from the Life Defense Fund today where the group’s Co-Chair and State Legislator Jon Hansen expresses his concern over avoiding ‘ethical boundaries’ he may cross if he would have to debate his group’s position on Amendment G.

In part:

Jon Hansen Says Debate on Abortion Measure Violates “Ethical Rules as an Attorney”

Concerning tomorrow’s “Ballot Talk: weighing the Pro’s and the Cons with Greg LaFollette regarding putting abortion up to birth in South Dakota’s State Constitution, Jon Hansen, Attorney for Life Defense Fund, issued the following statement:

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“As much as I would like to nail down Weiland on his organization’s repeated and blatant violations of petition laws and the engagement in fraudulent activities, to do so would violate legal ethical rules as an attorney.”

“Because I represent Life Defense Fund, which is suing Weiland’s organization “Dakotans for Health” in the case Life Defense Fund and Leslee Unruh vs. Dakotans for Health – Lawyers are not permitted under legal ethical rules to speak to opposing parties represented in an ongoing case about matters related to the litigation.”

Of course, no mention was made about Jon Hansen doing double-duty co-chairing the Life Defense Fund, being paid as a consultant by the Life Defense Fund, and (as State Representative) introducing legislation to aid the Life Defense Fund’s attack against the petition filed by Dakotans for Health.

In case anyone has forgotten the oath that legislators sign:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I …have not accepted, nor will I accept or receive directly or indirectly, any money, pass, or any other valuable thing, from any corporation, company or person, for any vote or influence I may give or withhold on any bill or resolution, or appropriation, or for any other official act.”

Article III, Section 8, South Dakota Constitution
South Dakota Legislative Oath of Office.

I’m not sure.. is the oath of office considered an ethical rule too? Or more of a suggestion?

Does that also mean that the Life Defense Fund is going to just duck Amendment G debates from here on out?

Has it been an active week or what? Traffic has been high, even when people might not like to read public documents.

And adding to the conversation is our latest advertiser, the Yes on 29 Ballot Committee, asking South Dakotans to also listen to their side of the conversation regarding Initiated Measure 29 when people are making up their minds how to vote. Please click on the ad and hear from the side that didn’t divert nun’s money to primary elections.

With two and a half months until election day, SDWC has advertising opportunities for reaching South Dakota’s opinion leaders, based on a first-come, first-serve basis for available positions. The #1 spot in the left-hand column and down page advertising spots are available, and there are discounts for longer ad commitments.  Information on ad prices, ad positions, and ad commitments may be directed to the webmaster by clicking here.

Please take a moment to visit our advertisers such as South Dakota’s chief executive Governor Kristi Noem, our friend South Dakota Senator John Thune,  Congressman Dusty Johnson, and Republican United States Senator Mike Rounds. Our friends at South Dakota Ag Alliance are also here to fight for landowner rights and common sense ag development, as Summit Carbon Solutions will keep our farmers and ethanol producers competitive on a world stage.

Aside from IM29, we also have the opponents to IM28 making sure South Dakotans know IM28 is a trap.. as badly as I’m sure they want to use the Star Wars meme.. And we have SD Open Primaries asking voters via Amendment H to let everyone who pays for our elections to vote.

Of course, at Dakota Campaign Store, down on the right, you’ll find me already busy in 2024 with yard signs, postcards, and all the things a professional campaign needs to make an impression.

Thank you to our advertisers for your support, and please reach out if you’d like to join them!

From SDAHO:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 data tracker shows an 18.1% test positivity rate for the week ending Aug. 10, the highest it has been since January 2022. Wastewater surveillance, “an early warning sign of COVID-19’s spread in communities,” demonstrates “very high” viral activity for COVID-19 across the U.S. indicating positivity rates could be even higher than reported test results. CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older receive a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.

Read that here.

That does not make me excited to hop on a plane at the end of the week…

Gov. Noem Appoints Joe Fiala as GOED Commissioner

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem appointed Joe Fiala as the Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

“Joe has been a great member of our economic development team for years. He has helped build the strongest jobs market in America, and we’ll keep that work going with him as our Commissioner,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “With Joe’s diligence, his positive outlook, and his ability to build and maintain relationships, I am confident that we will continue to accomplish fantastic things!”

Joe was raised with a ranching background in Custer and Hot Springs in the southern Black Hills. After taking computer science courses at South Dakota State University, he worked in the software industry, including designing business software at Microsoft.

In 2007, Joe entered the field of economic development as the executive director of the local economic development office in Miller. In 2012, he joined GOED as a business development representative and has since served as a director in several areas including research, community development, business development, and partner relations. Throughout his time at GOED, Joe has worked with countless stakeholders on numerous projects totaling billions of dollars in capital investment which have created or retained thousands of good-paying jobs for South Dakotans.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues and economic developers across the state to help businesses grow and to positively impact the economy of South Dakota,” said Joe Fiala. “I would like to thank Governor Noem for the opportunity to serve as the Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.”

Joe lives in Miller with his wife, Andrea, who is a high school science teacher. They have two daughters, Kirstyn and Megan. They enjoy spending time outdoors on the farm where Andrea was raised. You can find a photo of Joe Fiala here.

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South Dakota and National Ag Organizations Support Rounds’ Legislation to Reform Livestock Program

MITCHELL – Several agriculture stakeholders in South Dakota and across the nation are showing support for legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) which offers producers fairer market prices for livestock disaster assistance programs. The LIP Payment Improvement Act, which was introduced in March, would require the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to make quarterly updates to Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rates that reflect livestock market prices.

The LIP provides payments to eligible livestock owners and contract growers for abnormal livestock deaths caused by an eligible loss condition, such as severe weather, disease or animal attack. Currently, the FSA is required to update LIP payment rates annually. While the agency occasionally provides periodic price updates, the LIP Improvement Program would make these updates more frequently to reflect an ever-changing market.

The LIP Payment Improvement Act has been included in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s version of the Farm Bill, which has been passed out of committee. The provision has also been included in both the majority and minority frameworks for the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill, which is awaiting markup.

“South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard to produce quality livestock,” said Rounds. “Unfortunately, extenuating circumstances such as severe weather or disease can deplete their herds and as such, hurt their operations. These producers deserve to be paid a fair and updated market price for their livestock when tragedy strikes.”

The LIP Payment Improvement Act is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the South Dakota Farmers Union, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Farm Bureau.

“The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the oldest cattle organization in the United States, supports Senator Rounds efforts in maintaining updated and concise reports for our Livestock Indemnity Program with the Farm Service Agency.  Our organization has always supported our livestock producers and we support all efforts to ensure their businesses and livelihood are protected,” said Doris Lauing, Executive Director of South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. “Our ranchers invest a vast amount of time, labor and finances into building a quality herd.  When extenuating circumstances such as severe weather or disease can deplete their herds it cripples their operations. These producers deserve to be paid a fair and updated market price for their livestock when tragedy strikes in which Senator Rounds is asking for.  As market prices fluctuate, so should the program so cattle producers are reimbursed the full value.”

“Natural disasters take a heavy toll on cattle producers, especially when severe weather leads to livestock losses,” said Allison Rivera, Executive Director of Government Affairs at National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Many producers rely on the Livestock Indemnity Program for support during these challenging times, but the program needs to be updated in a timely manner so that cattle producers are reimbursed for the full value of their lost cattle. Our members appreciate Senator Rounds introducing the Livestock Indemnity Payment Improvement Act of 2023 to correct this issue and ensure that cattle producers are compensated at the fair market value of their livestock.”

“South Dakota Farmers Union applauds Senator Rounds and Senator Klobuchar for working to update the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) from an annual payment rate to a quarterly payment rate,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “With climate change plaguing many parts of the country, our emergency relief programs must adapt accordingly. Given these circumstances, it has become clear that an annual payment rate is not a reflective measure of the true market value for livestock. This change will provide flexibility to help farmers and ranchers due to climate-related impacts.”

“In an ever-changing cattle market, timely and accurate compensation for livestock losses is vital to sustaining producers’ operations,” said Warren Symens, President of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. “The Livestock Indemnity Program Improvement Act is a crucial step toward fairer market prices and greater financial stability for South Dakota’s hardworking producers. We commend Senator Rounds and Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership in making these necessary updates.”

“The South Dakota Farm Bureau appreciates Senator Rounds for introducing this bill that will benefit our 13,000 ranchers, farmers and rural families. It is critical that we have our voices heard and we’re excited to hear progress is being made on getting this included in the Farm Bill,” said Scott VanderWal, President of South Dakota Farm Bureau. “With an ever-changing market, it’s important that cattle producers get fairly compensated when disaster strikes. This will go a long way in improving the farm safety net.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

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According to an article at South Dakota Standard, former Senator Tom Daschle has apparently moved on from South Dakota and Washington DC, where he famously declared himself to be a resident, and is now residing in South Carolina:

There has been a change in his status. He and his wife Linda Hall Daschle have relocated and he will not be part of the South Dakota delegation.

“This year I am still a superdelegate from South Carolina, since that has now been our official residence for a few years,” Daschle said.

Read that here.

Draft Explanations Released For Proposed 2026 Initiated Measure on Prayer in Schools

PIERRE, S.D. –At the request of the sponsor, an explanation for a proposed initiated measure that would require non-denominational prayer in public schools, which would be on the 2026 general election ballot if approved, has been submitted for public review by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. 

Attorney General Marty Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. He has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the initiated measure to help assist the voters. The sponsor of the proposed initiated measure is Hillel Hellinger of North Miami Beach, Fla.

This proposed initiated measure would require each public-school teacher, in grades kindergarten through 12, to lead students every morning in prayer. The measure would allow both teachers and students to seek an exemption from participating in the prayer.

The ballot explanation can be found here.

State law requires the Attorney General draft a title and explanation for each initiated measure, initiated constitutional amendment, constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, or referred measure that may appear on an election ballot. The Attorney General’s explanation is meant to be an “objective, clear, and simple summary” intended to “educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the proposed” measure, as well as identify the “legal consequences” of each measure.

Once the Attorney General has filed and posted the draft explanation, the public has 10 days to provide written comment. The explanation was filed Aug. 20, 2024, and the deadline for comments on this explanation is Aug. 30, 2024 at the close of business in Pierre, South Dakota. The final explanation is due to the Secretary of State on Sept. 9, 2024.

The initiated measure would require 17,509 valid petition signatures to qualify for the 2026 general election ballot.

To file written comments on a draft Attorney General’s explanation please use one of the following methods below. Copies of all received comments will be posted on this website. 

Comments may be submitted via mail, or through hand delivery, to the Attorney General’s Office at: 

Office of the Attorney General
Ballot Comment
1302 E. Hwy. 14, Suite 1
Pierre, SD 57501

Comments that are hand delivered must be received by the close of business in Pierre, South Dakota, by Aug. 30, 2024.

Comments may also be emailed to [email protected] by Aug. 30, 2024.  Comments should be clearly expressed in the body of the email. The Attorney General’s Office will not open attachments in an effort to prevent malware or other digital threats. Please include your name and contact information when submitting your comment. The title of the comment must be included in the subject line of the email.

                                                       -30-

Johnson Re-introduces SOBER Act to Expand Successful 24/7 Sobriety Program 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) re-introduced the Supporting Opportunities to Build Everyday Responsibility (SOBER) Act, legislation aimed at combating repeat alcohol-related criminal offenses and bolstering the 24/7 sobriety program across the country.

24/7 sobriety was pioneered in South Dakota in 2005. An evaluation found a 12 percent reduction in DUI arrests in jurisdictions that adopted the program. The same evaluation found the program was associated with a 9 percent reduction in domestic violence arrests, and even a 4.2 percent reduction in all-cause mortality. Similar successes were seen through other state-run programs, like North Dakota where DUI arrests decreased by 9 percent in counties that implemented the program.

“The SOBER Act is commonsense legislation. It encourages sobriety and safe driving, preventing accidents and saving lives, one person at a time,” said Johnson. “South Dakota has been leading 24/7 sobriety programs for nearly twenty years with positive results. My bill allows this success to be available for every state.”

“The SOBER Act is our best chance to meaningfully reduce alcohol-related crime, which costs the U.S. more than $80 billion a year,” says Greg Newburn, Niskanen’s Director of Criminal Justice. “We are grateful to Representative Johnson for his leadership in tackling a problem that negatively impacts millions of Americans.”

“We have long been advocates for 24/7 sobriety programs being a useful tool in ensuring public safety,” said Nelson Brunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). “When used in tandem with ignition interlock devices, 24/7 sobriety programs implemented with effective screening are a valuable and cost-effective way to combat crimes attributable to alcohol abuse. The NDAA supports the SOBER Act, which would expand access and funding to sustain and/or improve existing 24/7 sobriety programs, in addition to encouraging state and local governments to create new 24/7 sobriety programs within their communities.”

Specifically, the SOBER Act would:

• Provide funding to help sustain and expand existing 24/7 sobriety programs;
• Incentivize the creation of 24/7 sobriety programs; and
• Provide data from grantees and a report assessing the impact of 24/7 sobriety programs.

The SOBER Act is cosponsored by Pete Stauber (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Julia Brownley (D-CA).

The SOBER Act is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), National Sheriffs’ Association, Niskanen Center, and Major County Sheriffs of America.

View full bill text here.

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South Dakota Democrats raised nearly $109K in July according to their latest FEC report.  No, not $109. More zeroes than that.

They raised nearly $109,000, during the same period where South Dakota Republicans raised $278. With less zeroes.

$108,726.99 raised against $62,053.38 spent, leaving them $127,164.65 cash on hand.

While the GOP had one donor noted during this period, democrats had 66 pages of them (x3 per page).

Just a thought. If the local GOP County groups causing this disparity and regularly attacking the state GOP want to take over, instead of continuing to erode the party maybe this weekend they should show up with $100,000 for the state GOP and show they care for the Republican Party in general?

But who am I kidding?